How to submit the Request for Arbitration Form

In order to request an arbitration hearing before the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, you must complete the Request for Arbitration form and send it, along with copies of all documents requested in the form, to the Office of the Attorney General, Lemon Law Arbitration Screening, PL-01, The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 (This address is also on the form).

DO NOT DELAY IN COMPLETING THIS FORM. It must be received by the Office of the Attorney General (Department of Legal Affairs) no later than 60 days after the expiration of your Lemon Law rights period (24 months from the date of delivery of the vehicle), or 30 days from the date of final action of a state-certified, manufacturer-sponsored arbitration program (BBB/AUTOLINE, NCDS, CAP Motors), whichever is later.

There are two versions of the form on this website. One is a fillable form that you can complete on your computer, print it, sign it and send the original with copies of all documents requested to the address above (and on the form). (Please Note: the fillable form CANNOT be saved. Be sure to print it once you have completed it!) The other is a printable form that you can print and fill out by hand, legibly please, sign and send the original with copies of all documents requested to the address above (and on the form). Both forms are downloadable using the free Adobe Acrobat reader.

If you traded in a vehicle to purchase or lease the vehicle for which you are requesting arbitration, please click here for important information about trade-in allowances.

If you have any questions or require assistance completing the Request for Arbitration Form, or if you prefer to have a printed form sent to you, please call the Office of the Attorney General, Lemon Law Arbitration, at 850-414-3500.

KEEP A COPY OF YOUR REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION FORM AND ALL DOCUMENTS AS YOU WILL HAVE TO BRING THEM TO YOUR HEARING!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION FORM

  1. PLEASE either type, or print legibly in black or blue ink. DO NOT use other colored inks or pencil and do not print the form on colored paper, as these are difficult to copy. If you require assistance, please call the Office of the Attorney General at 850-414-3500; if hearing impaired, via the Florida Relay Service at 711. Answer completely all questions that are applicable to your claim. If you do not answer all applicable questions, the form will be returned to you
  2. Attach copies of all documents requested. PLEASE do not: use highlighter, write on the documents, cover the information by the attachment of “post-it” notes, or attach exhibit labels. If you think the document requires additional explanation, you may provide this on a separate sheet of paper. If you do not attach copies of the documents requested, the form may be returned to you. Please do not attach documents that do not relate to your claim.
  3. PLEASE DO NOT organize the application and supporting documents by the use of tabs, notebooks or other such insertions. These will only be removed and discarded. If your claim is determined eligible for arbitration, the application form and supporting documents will be copied numerous times and will be organized by agency staff according to the arbitration hearing procedures.
  4. You should refer to the publication, "Consumer Guide to the Florida Lemon Law” for an explanation of your rights under the law and the definitions of terms that are used in this application form.
  5. After completing the form and gathering your documents, return the original of the form with a copy of each document requested to the address on the form. If a document cannot be copied clearly, then please send the original and it will be returned to you at a later date. BE SURE to keep a copy of the application form and the original documents for your records as you will have to bring them to an arbitration hearing, if your claim is deemed eligible.
  6. Processing: Upon receipt of your completed form and attachments, the Attorney General’s office will date-stamp the form. This is the date the form is considered to be filed. The Attorney General’s office will screen the form and make an initial determination of eligibility within 20 days of the date the form is filed.
    1. If the application is incomplete or lacks sufficient information from which eligibility can be determined, it will be returned to you promptly for completion or you will be requested to submit new or additional information. You will have 30 days from the date you receive the returned form to complete the form, or provide any additional requested information and send it back to the Attorney General’s office. If you do not respond within the required 30 days, your claim will be rejected, unless you have a reasonable explanation for your delay. If you have a reasonable explanation for your delay, the Attorney General’s office will extend the time for an additional 30 days. If you do not return the completed form or requested information within the 60-day period, your claim will be rejected. You and the manufacturer will be notified of the rejection in writing. The time for requesting arbitration will resume running upon mailing of the rejection notice to you. If you thereafter wish to pursue arbitration under the program, you will have to submit a new form to the Attorney General’s office.
    2. If the Attorney General’s office finds your application was fraudulently submitted or that your claim is outside the scope of the Arbitration Board’s authority, your request will be rejected. You and the manufacturer will receive written notice of the rejection.
    3. If you voluntarily withdraw your claim during the screening process, you may reapply by submitting a new Request for Arbitration form to the Attorney General’s office. The time for requesting arbitration will resume running on the date you notify the Attorney General’s office of the withdrawal.