Florida Lemon Law can protect you from buying a bad car

Q. I bought a new car recently and it has been a pain. I’ve brought it back to the dealer to get it repaired three times, and every time I get it back it seems to have another problem. The reason I got a new car was to avoid these kinds of problems. How does the state’s Lemon Law work and will it help me?

If you bought the car new in Florida, it could. There are a fair amount of hoops, though.

First, the problem has to something that “impairs the use, value or safety” of the car. If that is the case, you then have to have had the car (and documented it) toe the dealer or an authorized service shop at least three times for the same problem or have had the car out of commission for 15 total calendar days.

If that applies, you then have to notify (certified mail, with a receipt) the manufacturer of your claim under the Lemon Law. You should use this form: www.800helpfla.com/pdfs/DefectNotificationform.pdf

You then have to give the manufacturer one last shot at fixing your car. After that, you can request arbitration to resolve the situation.

For more information, go to www.800helpfla.com/lemonlaw/lemon-text.html

Q. I used a car service out of West Palm Beach recently and the driver didn’t know where he was going, the car was filthy and the driver was just plain rude. A friend told me that cabs and limos have to have a special license and permit. I’ve never noticed anything official-looking in the car I was in. What is the law?

A. In Palm Beach County, so-called vehicles for hire must have a county-issued permit, and all drivers have to wear an identification badge issued by the county’s Consumer Affairs office.

The licensing rules set minimum standards for the companies to try to ensure their vehicles are safe and insured.

In 2007, two companies were stripped of their permits for failing to get the proper insurance. AA Limousines of Delray Beach and Big Apple Limousine Service, which operates out of Pompano Beach, both had their right to operate in the county revoked. Big Apple, however, did straighten out its situation and, as of early August, had a valid license.

Having a regulated industry can give an advantage to consumers. If you run into a problem with a car service, whether it is a taxi or a limo, you can contact Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs and lodge a complaint. The number is (561) 712-6600.

Go to www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/consumeraffairs/forhire/ to find out more about the rules and to get a list of licensed companies.