Florida § 320.61 - Licenses required of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, importers, etc.

Full text of Florida Florida Statutes § 320.61 — Licenses required of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, importers, etc., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 320.61. Licenses required of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, importers, etc.

(1) No manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or importer (all sometimes referred to hereinafter as “licensee”) shall engage in business in this state without a license therefor as provided in ss. 320.60-320.70. No motor vehicle, foreign or domestic, may be sold, leased, or offered for sale or lease in this state unless the manufacturer, importer, or distributor of such motor vehicle, which issues an agreement to a motor vehicle dealer in this state, is licensed under ss. 320.60-320.70. (2) The department may prescribe an abbreviated application for renewal of a license if the licensee had previously filed an initial application pursuant to s. 320.63. The application for renewal shall include any information necessary to bring current the information required in the initial application. (3) All licenses shall be granted or refused within 30 days after application. (4) When a complaint of unfair or prohibited cancellation or nonrenewal of a dealer agreement is made by a motor vehicle dealer against a licensee and such complaint is pending pursuant to ss. 320.60-320.70, no replacement application for such agreement shall be granted and no license shall be issued by the department under s. 320.27 to any replacement dealer until a final decision is rendered on the complaint of unfair cancellation, so long as the dealer agreement of the complaining dealer is in effect as provided under s. 320.641(7). (5) Any manufacturer, distributor, or importer, who obtains a license under this section, is engaged in business in this state and is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state pursuant to chapter 48. Any manufacturer not licensed under this section, who is a manufacturer of motor vehicles of a recognized line-make which are sold or leased in this state pursuant to a plan, system, or channel of distribution established, approved, authorized or known to the manufacturer, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state in any action seeking relief under or to enforce any of the remedies or penalties provided in ss. 320.60-320.70.

Source: official Florida text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida § 320.61

What does Florida Statutes § 320.61 cover?

Section 320.61 ("Licenses required of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, importers, etc.") is part of the Florida Statutes, the codified statutory law of Florida. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Florida § 320.61?

A common citation format is "Florida Statutes § 320.61" (Florida). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Florida law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Florida official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Florida attorney.

How does Florida § 320.61 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Florida can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Florida.