11600-11620
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 11600-11620
11600. It shall be unlawful for any lessor-retailer to make a retail sale of a vehicle of a type subject to registration without having first procured either a vehicle dealer license or a lessor-retailer license or temporary permit issued by the department or when such license or temporary permit issued by the department has been canceled, suspended, revoked, or invalidated or has expired. 11601. (a) Every lessor-retailer who sells at retail a vehicle of a type subject to registration shall make application to the department for a license. The applicant shall submit proof of his status as a bona fide lessor-retailer as may reasonably be required by the department. (b) An application shall be made for the principal place of business, and a separate branch office application shall be made for each branch office location of the licensee as shall be operated and maintained by the applicant in conjunction with the retail sale or sales of vehicles. (c) "Principal place of business," for the purposes of this chapter, means the place designated by the lessor-retailer as the main business or office location in California whether or not retail sales are made from such location. 11602. (a) The department shall prescribe and provide forms to be used for application for licenses to be issued under the terms and provisions of this chapter and require of such applicants, where appropriate as a condition precedent to issuance of such license, such information, including but not limited to, fingerprints and personal history statements, touching on and concerning the applicant' s character, honesty, integrity and reputation as it may consider necessary; provided, however, that every application for a lessor-retailer license shall contain, in addition to such information that the department may require, a statement of the following facts: (1) The name and residence address of the applicant and the trade name, if any, under which he intends to conduct his business; and if the applicant be a partnership, the name and residence address of each member thereof, whether a limited or general partner, and the name under which the partnership business is to be conducted; and if the applicant be a corporation, the name of the corporation and the name and address of each of its principal officers and directors. (2) A complete description, including the city, town or village with the street and number, if any, of its principal place of business in California and such other and additional branch location or locations. (b) Upon receipt of an application accompanied with the appropriate fee, the department shall make a thorough investigation of the information contained in the application. 11603. (a) The department may issue, or for reasonable cause shown, refuse to issue, a license to any applicant applying for a lessor-retailer license or branch office location. (b) The license shall contain the applicant's name, location address and the general distinguishing number assigned to the applicant. 11604. The department may refuse to issue a lessor-retailer license when it makes any of the following determinations: (a) The applicant has outstanding an unsatisfied final court judgment rendered in connection with an activity licensed under the authority of this division. (b) The applicant was previously the holder, or a managerial employee of the holder, of a license issued under this division which was revoked for cause and never reissued by the department, or which was suspended for cause and the terms of suspension have not been fulfilled. (c) The applicant was previously a business representative whose license issued under this division was revoked for cause and never reissued or was suspended for cause and the terms of suspension have not been fulfilled. (d) If the applicant is a business, a business representative was previously the holder of a license, or was a business representative of a business whose license, issued under this division, was revoked for cause and never reissued or was suspended for cause and the terms of suspension have not been fulfilled; or, by reason of the facts and circumstances related to the organization, control, and management of the business, the operation of that business will be directed, controlled, or managed by individuals who, by reason of their conviction of violations of this code, would be ineligible for a license and, by licensing that business, the purposes of this chapter would be defeated. (e) The applicant, or a business representative if the applicant is a business, has been convicted of a crime or committed any act or engaged in conduct involving moral turpitude which is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the licensed activity. A conviction after a plea of nolo contendere is a conviction within the meaning of this section. (f) The applicant was previously the holder of an occupational license issued by another state, authorizing the same or similar activities of a license issued under this division; and that license was revoked or suspended for cause and was never reissued, or was suspended for cause, and the terms of suspension have not been fulfilled. (g) The information contained in the application is incorrect. (h) A decision of the department to cancel, suspend, or revoke a license has been made, and the applicant was a business representative of the business regulated under that license. (i) The applicant does not have a principal place of business in California. (j) The applicant has failed to pay the full amount of a claim paid by the Consumer Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation, plus interest at the rate of 10 percent per annum, as described in subdivision (i) of Section 11703. 11604.1. Any cause specified in this chapter as a cause to suspend or revoke the license issued to a lessor-retailer is a cause to refuse to issue a license to a lessor-retailer. 11604.5. (a) The department, after notice and hearing, on an interim basis, may refuse to issue or may suspend a license issued under this chapter when the applicant or licensee, or a business representative if the applicant or licensee is a business, has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude which is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the licensed activity, if an appeal of the conviction is pending or the conviction has otherwise not become final. A conviction after a plea of nolo contendere is a conviction within the meaning of this section. (b) When a conviction, upon which an interim refusal to issue or suspension under subdivision (a) is based, is affirmed on appeal or otherwise becomes final, the refusal to issue or suspension shall automatically take effect as a denial or revocation, as the case may be, of the license. If the interim refusal to issue or suspension was stayed under probationary terms and conditions, the subsequent automatic denial or revocation shall also be stayed under the same terms and conditions for a term not to exceed the original term of probation for the interim refusal to issue or suspension. (c) If a conviction, upon which an interim refusal to issue or suspension under subdivision (a) is based, is reversed on appeal, the refusal or suspension shall be set aside immediately by the department. 11605. (a) Upon refusal of the department to issue a license to a lessor-retailer, the applicant shall be entitled to demand in writing a hearing before the director or his representative within 60 days after notice of refusal. (b) The hearing shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. 11606. Except where the provisions of this code require the refusal to issue a license, the department may issue a probationary license subject to conditions to be observed by the licensee in the exercise of the privilege granted. The conditions to be attached to the exercise of the privilege shall not appear on the face of the license but shall be such as may, in the judgment of the department, be in the public interest and suitable to the qualifications of the applicant as disclosed by the application and investigation by the department of the information contained therein. 11607. Pending the satisfaction of the department that the applicant has met the requirements under this chapter, it may issue a temporary permit to any person applying for a lessor-retailer license or branch office location. The temporary permit shall permit the operation by the lessor-retailer while the department is completing its investigation and determination of all facts relative to the qualifications of the applicant to such license. The department amy cancel such temporary permit when it has determined or has reasonable cause to believe that the application is incorrect or incomplete or the temporary permit was issued in error. Such temporary permit shall be invalid when canceled or when the applicant' s license has been issued or refused. 11608. The department may issue a certificate of convenience to the executor, executrix, administrator or administratrix of the estate of a deceased holder of a valid license issued under this chapter, or if no executor, executrix, administrator or administratrix has been appointed, and until a certified copy of an order making such appointment is filed with the department, to the widow or other heir otherwise entitled to conduct the business of the deceased, permitting such person to exercise the privileges granted by such license for a period of one year from and after the date of death and necessary one-year renewals thereafter, pending, but not later than, disposal of the business and qualification of the vendee of the business or such surviving widow, heir or other persons for such license under the provisions of this chapter. The department may restrict or condition the license and attach to the exercise of the privileges thereunder such terms and conditions as in its judgment the protection of the public requires. 11609. Each office location operated and maintained by a lessor-retailer in conjunction with its retail sale of a vehicle or vehicles shall have posted in a place conspicuous to the public the license issued by the department to the lessor, and shall have erected or posted thereon such signs or devices providing information relating to the lessor-retailer's name, the office location and the office address, to enable any person doing business with such lessor to identify him properly. 11609.5. Every lessor-retailer who displays or offers one or more used vehicles for sale at retail shall post a notice not less than 8 inches high and 10 inches wide, in a place conspicuous to the public, which states the following: "The prospective purchaser of a vehicle may, at his or her own expense and with the approval of the lessor-retailer, have the vehicle inspected by an independent third party either on or off these premises." 11610. (a) If the lessor-retailer changes the location of its principal place of business or any branch office location in California, the lessor-retailer shall immediately upon making the change notify the department. (b) If a lessor-retailer, for any reason, ceases to be in possession of its principal place of business or any branch office location, the lessor-retailer shall immediately notify the department, and shall deliver to the department the lessor-retailer license issued for the location, and, upon demand, all report of sale books in his or her possession. (c) Any person licensed under this chapter who has closed his or her principal place of business may be served with process issued pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code by registered mail at that place of business, unless the person has notified the department in writing of another address where service may be made. 11612. (a) Before any lessor-retailer license shall be issued or renewed by the department to any applicant therefor, the applicant shall procure and file with the department a bond meeting the same requirements as specified for a vehicle dealer's license in Sections 11710 and 11710.2. (b) Any cause of action or claim specified in Section 11711 against a vehicle dealer's bond shall also be a cause of action or claim against a lessor-retailer's bond. 11613. (a) The department, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke the license issued to a lessor-retailer upon determining that the person to whom the license was issued is not lawfully entitled thereto, or has done any of the following: (1) Filed an application for the license using a false or fictitious name not registered with the proper authorities, or knowingly made any false statement or knowingly concealed any material fact, in the application for the license. (2) Used a false or fictitious name, knowingly made any false statement or knowingly concealed any material fact in any application for the registration of a vehicle, or otherwise committed a fraud in the application. (3) Knowingly purchased, sold, or otherwise acquired or disposed of a stolen motor vehicle. (4) Violated any provision of Division 3 (commencing with Section 4000) or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto. (5) Violated any provision of Division 4 (commencing with Section 10500) or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto. (6) Violated any provision of this chapter or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto. (7) Violated any provision of Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto under the authority of Section 1651. (8) Submitted a check, draft, or money order to the department for any obligation or fee due the state which was thereafter dishonored or refused payment upon presentation. (9) Caused any person to suffer any loss or damage by reason of any fraud or deceit practiced on, or fraudulent representations made to, that person in the sale of a vehicle or parts or accessories thereof. For purposes of this subdivision, "fraud" includes any act or omission which is included within the definition of either "actual fraud" or "constructive fraud" as defined in Sections 1572 and 1573 of the Civil Code, and "deceit" has the same meaning as defined in Section 1710 of the Civil Code. In addition, "fraud" and "deceit" include, but are not limited to, a misrepresentation in any manner, whether intentionally false or due to gross negligence, of a material fact; a promise or representation not made honestly and in good faith; an intentional failure to disclose a material fact; and any act within Section 484 of the Penal Code. For purposes of this subdivision, "person" also includes a governmental entity. (b) Any of the causes specified in this chapter as a cause for refusal to issue a license to a lessor-retailer applicant is cause to suspend or revoke a license issued to a lessor-retailer. (c) Every hearing provided for in this section shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. 11613.5. (a) After the filing of an accusation under this chapter, the director may enter into a stipulated compromise settlement agreement with the consent of the licensee on terms and conditions mutually agreeable to the director, the respondent licensee, and the accuser without further hearing or appeal. The agreement may include, but is not limited to, a period of probation or monetary penalties, or both. The monetary penalty shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation, and it shall be based on the nature of the violation and the effect of the violation on the purposes of this chapter. (b) A compromise settlement agreement may be entered before, during, or after the hearing, but is valid only if executed and filed pursuant to subdivision (d) before the proposed decision of the hearing officer, if any, is adopted or the case is decided. (c) The department shall adopt, by regulation, a schedule of maximum and minimum amounts of monetary penalties, the payment of which may be included as a term or condition of a compromise settlement agreement entered under subdivision (a). Any monetary penalty included in a compromise settlement agreement shall be within the range of monetary penalties in that schedule. (d) Any compromise settlement agreement entered under this section shall be signed by the director, the respondent licensee, and the accuser, or by their authorized representatives. The director shall file, or cause to be filed, the agreement with the Office of Administrative Hearings, together with the department's notice of withdrawal of the accusation or statement of issues upon which the action was initiated. (e) If the respondent licensee fails to perform all of the terms and conditions of the compromise settlement agreement, the agreement is void and the department may take any action authorized by law notwithstanding the agreement, including, but not limited to, refiling the accusation or imposing license sanctions. 11614. No lessor-retailer licensed under this chapter may do any of the following in connection with any activity for which this license is required: (a) Make or disseminate, or cause to be made or disseminated, before the public in this state, in any newspaper or other publication, or any advertising device, or by oral representation, or in any other manner or means whatever, any statement that is untrue or misleading and that is known, or which by the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be untrue or misleading; or make or disseminate, or cause to be made or disseminated, any statement as part of a plan or scheme with the intent not to sell any vehicle, or service so advertised, at the price stated therein, or as so advertised. (b) Advertise, or offer for sale in any manner, any vehicle not actually for sale at the premises of the lessor-retailer or available within a reasonable time to the lessor-retailer at the time of the advertisement or offer. (c) Fail within 48 hours to give, in writing, notification to withdraw any advertisement of a vehicle that has been sold or withdrawn from sale. (d) Advertise any specific vehicle for sale without identifying the vehicle by its model, model year, and either its license number or that portion of the vehicle identification number that distinguishes the vehicle from all other vehicles of the same make, model, and model-year. Model-year is not required to be advertised for current model-year vehicles. Year models are no longer current when ensuing year models are available for purchase at retail in California. (e) Advertise the total price of a vehicle without including all costs to the purchaser at the time of delivery at the lessor-retailer' s premises, except sales tax, vehicle registration fees, finance charges, certificate of compliance or noncompliance fees not exceeding thirty-five dollars ($35) pursuant to any statute, and any dealer documentary preparation charge. The dealer documentary charge shall not exceed thirty-five dollars ($35). (f) (1) Fail to disclose, in an advertisement of a vehicle for sale, that there will be added to the advertised total price, at the time of sale, charges for sales tax, vehicle registration fees, the fee charged by the state for the issuance of any certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to any statute, finance charges, or any dealer documentary preparation charge. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), "advertisement" means any advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, direct mail publication, or handbill that is two or more columns in width or one column in width and more than seven inches in length, or on any Web page of a lessor-retailer's Web site that displays the price of a vehicle offered for sale on the Internet, as that term is defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (e) of Section 17538 of the Business and Professions Code. (g) Advertise or otherwise represent, or knowingly allow to be advertised or represented on the lessor-retailer's behalf or at the lessor-retailer's place of business, that no downpayment is required in connection with the sale of a vehicle when a downpayment is in fact required and the buyer is advised or induced to finance the downpayment by a loan in addition to any other loan financing the remainder of the purchase price of the vehicle. The terms "no downpayment," "zero down delivers," or similar terms shall not be advertised unless the vehicle will be sold to any qualified purchaser without a prior payment of any kind or trade-in. (h) Refuse to sell a vehicle to any person at the advertised total price, exclusive of sales tax, vehicle registration fees, finance charges, certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to any statute, and any dealer documentary preparation charge, which charges shall not exceed thirty-five dollars ($35) for the documentary preparation charge and thirty-five dollars ($35) for the certificate of compliance or noncompliance pursuant to any statute, while the vehicle remains unsold or unleased, unless the advertisement states the advertised total price is good only for a specified time and the time has elapsed. (i) Engage in the business for which the licensee is licensed without having in force and effect a bond required by Section 11612. (j) Engage in the business for which the lessor-retailer is licensed without at all times maintaining a principal place of business and any branch office location required by this chapter. (k) Permit the use of the lessor-retailer license, supplies, or books by any other person for the purpose of permitting that person to engage in the sale of vehicles required to be registered under this code, or to permit the use of the lessor-retailer license, supplies, or books to operate a branch office location to be used by any other person, if, in either situation, the licensee has no financial or equitable interest or investment in the vehicles sold by, or the business of, or branch office location used by, the person, or has no interest or investment other than commissions, compensations, fees, or any other thing of value received for the use of the lessor-retailer license, supplies, or books to engage in the sale of vehicles. (l) Violate any provision of Article 10 (commencing with Section 28050) of Chapter 5 of Division 12. (m) Represent the dealer documentary preparation charge, or certificate of compliance or noncompliance fee, as a governmental fee. (n) Advertise free merchandise, gifts, or services provided by a lessor-retailer contingent on the purchase of a vehicle. "Free" includes merchandise or services offered for sale at a price less than the lessor-retailer's cost of the merchandise or services. (o) Advertise vehicles and related goods or services with the intent not to supply reasonably expectable demand, unless the advertisement discloses a limitation of quantity. (p) Use the term "rebate" or similar words such as "cash back" in advertising the sale of a vehicle. (q) Require a person to pay a higher price for a vehicle and related goods or services for receiving advertised credit terms than the cash price the same person would have to pay to purchase the same vehicle and related goods or services. For the purpose of this subdivision, "cash price" has the meaning as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 2981 of the Civil Code. (r) Misrepresent the authority of a representative or agent to negotiate the final terms of a transaction. (s) Violate any law prohibiting bait and switch advertising, including, but not limited to, the guides against bait advertising set forth in Part 238 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those regulations read on January 1, 1988. (t) Make any untrue or misleading statement indicating that a vehicle is equipped with all the factory installed optional equipment the manufacturer offers, including, but not limited to, a false statement that a vehicle is "fully factory equipped." (u) Advertise any underselling claim, such as "we have the lowest prices" or "we will beat any dealer's price," unless the lessor-retailer has conducted a recent survey showing that the lessor-retailer sells its vehicles at lower prices than any other licensee in its trade area and maintains records to adequately substantiate the claim. The substantiating records shall be made available to the department upon request. (v) To display or offer for sale any used vehicle unless there is affixed to the vehicle the Federal Trade Commission's Buyer's Guide as required by Part 455 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (w) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2001. 11614.1. No lessor-retailer licensed under this chapter may do any of the following in connection with any activity for which this license is required: (a) Use a picture in connection with any advertisement of the price of a specific vehicle or class of vehicles, unless the picture is of the year, make, and model being offered for sale. The picture may not depict a vehicle with optional equipment or a design not actually offered at the advertised price. (b) Advertise a vehicle for sale that was used by the selling lessor-retailer in its business as a demonstrator, executive vehicle, service vehicle, rental, loaner, or lease vehicle, unless the advertisement clearly and conspicuously discloses the previous use made by that licensee of the vehicle. An advertisement may not describe any of those vehicles as "new." (c) Advertise any used vehicle of the current or prior model-year without expressly disclosing the vehicle as "used," "previously owned," or a similar term that indicates that the vehicle is used, as defined in this code. (d) Use the terms "on approved credit" or "on credit approval" in an advertisement for the sale of a vehicle unless those terms are clearly and conspicuously disclosed and unabbreviated. (e) Advertise an amount described by terms such as "unpaid balance" or "balance can be financed" unless the total sale price is clearly and conspicuously disclosed and is in close proximity to the advertised balance. (f) Advertise credit terms that fail to comply with the disclosure requirements of Section 226.24 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Advertisements of terms that include escalated payments, balloon payments, or deferred downpayments shall clearly and conspicuously identify those payments as to amounts and time due. (g) Advertise claims such as "everyone financed," "no credit rejected," or similar claims unless the dealer is willing to extend credit to any person under any and all circumstances. (h) Advertise the amount of any downpayment unless it represents the total payment required of a purchaser prior to delivery of the vehicle, including any payment for sales tax or license. A statement such as "$____ delivers," is an example of an advertised downpayment. (i) Fail to clearly and conspicuously disclose in an advertisement for the sale of a vehicle any disclosure required by this code or any qualifying term used in conjunction with advertised credit terms. Unless otherwise provided by statute, the specific size of disclosures or qualifying terms is not prescribed. 11615. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this code for a lessor-retailer licensed under this chapter when selling at retail a vehicle in a transaction for which this license is required: (a) To deliver, following sale, a vehicle for operation on California highways, if such vehicle does not meet all of the equipment requirements of Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000) of this code. (b) To fail to deliver to a transferee lawfully entitled thereto a properly endorsed certificate of ownership. (c) To violate any of the terms or provisions of Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto or adopted pursuant to Section 1651 of this code. (d) To take a vehicle in trade in part or total payment for a vehicle sold by the lessor-retailer. (e) To sell a vehicle which has not been previously leased, bailed or rented or acquired or contracted for lease or rental by the lessor-retailer. (f) To display a vehicle for sale at a location other than the principal place of business or branch office authorized by the department for that lessor-retailer. 11615.5. It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a person holding a license under this chapter to make a retail sale of a motor vehicle, except to the lessee of such vehicle, required to be registered pursuant to Division 3 (commencing with Section 4000) or subject to identification pursuant to Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000) if such person files with the department a report of sale as provided in Section 4456 with respect to such retail sale, without making the return and payment of any sales tax due and required by Section 6451 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. 11616. If a purchaser of a vehicle pays to the lessor-retailer an amount for the licensing or transfer of title of the vehicle, which amount is in excess of the actual fees due for such licensing or transfer, or which amount is in excess of the amount which has been paid, prior to the sale, by the lessor-retailer to the state in order to avoid penalties that would have accrued because of late payment of such fees, the lessor-retailer shall return such excess amount to the purchaser, whether or not such purchaser requests the return of the excess amount. 11617. (a) The license provided for in this chapter shall be automatically canceled upon the happening of any of the following: (1) The abandonment of the principal place of business of the lessor-retailer or the change thereof without notice to the department as provided in Section 11610. (2) The failure of the licensee to maintain an adequate bond or to procure and file another bond as required by Section 11612 prior to the effective date of the termination by the surety of any existing bond. (3) The voluntary or involuntary surrender for any cause by the licensee of the license, except that a surrender of the license, or cessation of business by the licensee, or the suspension or revocation of the corporate status of the licensee, does not preclude the filing of an accusation for revocation or suspension of the surrendered license as provided in Section 11613, and does not affect the department's decision to suspend or revoke the license. The department's determination to suspend or revoke the license may be considered in issuing or refusing to issue any subsequent license authorized by this division to that licensee or any business representative of that licensee. (4) Notification to the department that the person designated as licensee has changed. (5) The suspension or cancellation of the corporate status of the licensee. (6) The suspension or revocation of the seller's permit of the licensee by the State Board of Equalization. (b) The branch office location license provided for in this chapter shall be automatically canceled upon the abandonment of the branch office location of the lessor-retailer or the change of that branch office without notice to the department as provided in Section 11610. 11618. The department may, pending a hearing, temporarily suspend the license issued to a lessor-retailer for a period not to exceed 30 days, if the director finds that such action is required in the public interest. In any such case a hearing shall be held and a decision thereon issued within 30 days after notice of the temporary suspension. Every hearing as provided for in this section shall be pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. 11620. (a) Every occupational license issued under this chapter shall be valid for a period of one year from midnight of the last day of the month of issuance. Except as provided in subdivision (c), renewal of an occupational license for the ensuing year may be obtained by the person to whom the occupational license was issued upon application to the department and payment of the fee provided in this code. (b) Every application for the renewal of an occupational license which expires pursuant to this section shall be made by the person to whom issued not more than 90 days prior to the expiration date, and shall be made by presenting the completed application form provided by the department and by payment of the full annual renewal fee for the occupational license. (c) If the application for renewal of the occupational license is not made by midnight of the expiration date, the application may be made within 30 days following expiration of the license by paying the annual renewal fee and a penalty fee equal to the amount of the original application fee for each occupational license held. (d) In no event may the licensee renew the occupational license after the expiration of the 30-day period authorized in subdivision (c).