Vehicle & Driving · Auto Repair
Auto Repair Rights in Florida
What a repair shop in Florida must tell you before it works on your car, how far a bill can go over the estimate, and what to do about an overcharge, cited to the statute.
Your rights and the rules in Florida
The estimate rules, going over the estimate, your old parts, and how the rule is enforced.
| Written estimate | Under §559.905, when you ask a registered shop to do repair work that will cost more than $150, the shop must prepare a written repair estimate before it does any diagnostic or repair work. The estimate lists the shop and customer details, the vehicle, and the estimated cost. You can also waive the written estimate or set your own dollar limit in writing. |
| Going over the estimate | Under §559.909, the shop cannot charge more than the written estimate plus $10 or 10 percent, whichever is greater, but no more than $50 over, unless it first gets your authorization. If actual charges will run past that cushion, the shop must contact you, and you can approve, change, or cancel the work orally or in writing. |
| Get your old parts back | The written estimate includes a statement (§559.905) where you indicate whether replaced parts should be saved for your inspection or returned. Mark it before work starts so the shop sets the old parts aside for you. |
| Itemized invoice | Section §559.911 requires the shop to give you a detailed invoice when the work is done. It has to list the labor, each part and whether it was new, used, or rebuilt, the odometer reading, and any warranty on the work. |
| Shop's lien on your car | A Florida repair shop can claim a lien on your car for unpaid, authorized charges and hold the vehicle until you pay. But §559.909 makes it unlawful to refuse to return your car just because you would not pay for unauthorized repairs or charges above the estimate cushion. |
| How it is enforced | The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) runs the Motor Vehicle Repair Act. Shops paid to repair others’ vehicles must register with FDACS. You can file a complaint with FDACS, and the Act also lets a wronged customer sue; a court can award actual damages, attorney fees, and in some cases treble (triple) damages. |
| Statute | Fla. Stat. §§559.901–559.9221 (Motor Vehicle Repair Act); §559.905; §559.909; §559.911 |
The written-estimate trigger was $100 for years and was raised to $150 in a recent update to §559.905. Older guides and Nolo pages may still cite $100. The $150 figure here is the current statute as reviewed on 2026-07-11.
What you can do right now
Concrete, neutral steps if a Florida shop overcharged you or did work you never approved. This is legal information, not legal advice.
- Get the written estimate when the job tops $150
If your repair will cost more than $150, the shop must hand you a written estimate before it starts. Ask for it in writing and keep a copy. It is your baseline if the final bill climbs.
- Do not authorize overages without a call
The shop cannot bill you more than the estimate plus $10 or 10 percent (up to $50) unless you approve first. If they never called you, you can refuse to pay the extra, and they cannot hold your car over it.
- Ask for your old parts
Mark the estimate to have replaced parts saved. Getting the old parts back lets you confirm the work was actually needed and done.
- Complain to FDACS if the shop breaks the rules
Call 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) or file online with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Bring your estimate, invoice, and notes on who authorized what.
If a shop billed you for work you never approved, you can file a complaint. This is the official channel that handles auto-repair disputes.
→ FDACS Motor Vehicle Repair (file a complaint)This is general legal information, not legal advice. Keep every estimate, invoice, and text message, and confirm the exact rule that applies before you refuse to pay or authorize more work.
What Florida drivers get wrong
Florida is a "repair-act" state, so a specific law sets the rules when a shop touches your car. The Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act, at §§559.901 to 559.9221, is enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and anyone paid to fix other people’s vehicles has to register with FDACS. The core protection is the written estimate. Once a repair will cost more than $150, the shop must give you a written estimate before it does any diagnostic or repair work. After that, §559.909 caps surprises: the shop cannot charge more than your estimate plus $10 or 10 percent, whichever is greater, up to $50 over, unless it calls and you approve the extra work. You can also ask for your old parts back on the estimate form, and the shop cannot refuse to return your car just because you would not pay for repairs you never authorized.
Common questions
Does a Florida shop have to give me a written estimate?
Yes, if the repair will cost more than $150. Under §559.905 the shop must prepare a written estimate before it does any diagnostic or repair work. You can waive it or set your own dollar limit in writing, but the shop has to offer it.
How much over the estimate can the shop charge me?
Not much. Section §559.909 says the shop cannot bill more than the written estimate plus $10 or 10 percent, whichever is greater, but no more than $50 over, unless it contacts you and you approve the extra work first.
Can I get my old parts back after a repair in Florida?
Yes, if you ask up front. The written estimate has a spot where you indicate whether replaced parts should be saved for inspection or returned. Mark it before the work starts, and the shop must set the old parts aside for you.
Can the shop keep my car if I refuse to pay for extra work?
No. Section §559.909 makes it unlawful for a shop to refuse to return your car just because you would not pay for unauthorized repairs or for charges above the estimate cushion. The shop can still claim a lien for the authorized work you actually owe.
Where do I complain about a Florida repair shop?
File with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), which runs the Motor Vehicle Repair Act. Call 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) or use the FDACS website. The Act also lets you sue, with possible attorney fees and treble damages.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.