Authorized Department representatives conduct periodic inspections to ensure that appropriate records are being maintained by the licensed dealers. Dealers are required to keep accurate records on every motor vehicle purchased or sold, the status of the titles on every vehicle in the dealer’s inventory that are being offered for sale; complete and accurate records on all temporary tags acquired by the dealer including those that have been issued; complete and accurate records of all pre-printed stock, electronic temporary plates acquired via Department approved providers and those that have been issued and those that were acquired at the tax collector’s office. Dealers are also required to keep accurate records of all dealer tags purchased by the dealership so that each tag and the person to whom it is assigned can be easily and readily identified.

Records inspections are normally conducted by a Compliance Examiner from the Field Offices. However, there are occasions when an inspection is conducted by a Compliance Examiner from the Manufactured Housing Section, Division of Motorist Services, or by a uniformed or plain clothes law enforcement officer from the Florida Highway Patrol. These DHSMV representatives are equally authorized to conduct records inspections.

Dealers are required to cooperate and assist the Department by providing all information requested. Following a routine inspection, a licensee will be given an opportunity to correct any discrepancies found. A follow-up inspection, if required will be conducted by the Compliance Examiner.

A dealer who fails or refuses to cooperate by withholding records or failing to maintain records is subject to a fine or the suspension or revocation of their license. In addition, such failure or refusal constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor and subjects the dealer to arrest.

In preparation for a dealer inspection the Department runs a report detailing how many title transfers have exceeded the 30-day requirement, how many have exceeded 10 days in lien payoffs, how many temporary license plates were issued by the dealer. Failure to maintain timely transfer title and payoff liens can result in a dealer failing inspection before the Compliance Examiner is on site.