Florida HSMV Form 82137 – Derelict Vehicle Certificate – If you own an old, low-value vehicle or trailer in Florida and need to sell it for scrap without a title, Florida HSMV Form 82137 is the official document you need. Officially titled “Application for an Original/Duplicate Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate and Request to Cancel Title,” this form allows owners or sellers to obtain a Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Once issued, the vehicle’s title record is canceled, and the vehicle must be dismantled or scrapped—it can never be titled again.
This process is governed by Florida Statute 319.30 and is widely used by vehicle owners, licensed salvage dealers, and secondary metals recyclers across the United States who deal with Florida-titled vehicles.
What Is Florida HSMV Form 82137?
Form HSMV 82137 is the application used when the owner or seller of a derelict motor vehicle or trailer wants to transfer it to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or a registered secondary metals recycler, but the original title, salvage title, or certificate of destruction is not available.
According to the official form instructions from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the form serves two main purposes:
- Apply for an original Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate
- Request a duplicate Derelict Certificate if the original is lost
The Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate serves as official evidence that the vehicle will be dismantled or converted to scrap metal. It also triggers cancellation of the title record in the FLHSMV database.
Who Can Use Form 82137?
The form is designed for:
- Vehicle owners or sellers who have physical possession and responsibility for the derelict vehicle
- Licensed salvage motor vehicle dealers
- Registered secondary metals recyclers
Important note: Towing companies, repair shops, or landlords generally cannot use this form unless they already hold title, a salvage title, or a certificate of destruction in their own name. This restriction helps prevent improper disposition of vehicles under lien or abandonment laws.
Eligibility Requirements for a Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate
Not every old vehicle qualifies. Under Florida Statute 319.30, a vehicle or trailer must meet strict criteria:
- Motor vehicles (including cars, trucks, and mobile homes): Must be valued under $1,000 and at least 10 model years old (count the model year as year one).
- Trailers: Must be valued under $5,000 and at least 10 model years old.
- The vehicle’s highest or primary value must be for sale, transport, or delivery to a licensed salvage dealer or secondary metals recycler for dismantling or conversion to scrap metal.
As of 2026, vehicles with a model year of 2017 or earlier generally qualify based on the 10-year rule. Always verify the current model-year calculation with your local tax collector’s office.
Once the Derelict Certificate is issued, the vehicle or trailer may never be titled again and must be dismantled or scrapped.
How to Complete Florida HSMV Form 82137?
The form is divided into three main sections. For an original Derelict Certificate, all three sections must be completed. For a duplicate, primarily Section 1 is needed (completed by the salvage dealer or recycler).
Section 1 – Owner/Seller Information
The owner or seller completes this section and provides:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Year, make, body type, color, and purchase price
- Full name and address of the owner/seller
- Driver license or ID card number and state of issue (a legible copy must be attached)
- Certification that the title is unavailable, the vehicle meets the value and age requirements, and there are no undisclosed liens
- Authorization for a transporter (if applicable)
- Signature under penalties of perjury
If the seller is not the owner of record, the salvage dealer or recycler must obtain a smudge-free right thumbprint (or other digit if no right thumb) on the form.
Section 2 – Transporter Information (If Applicable)
This section is completed by a hired transporter. It can be left blank if the owner/seller or the salvage dealer/recycler transports the vehicle themselves.
Note: This section cannot be used by towing companies operating under certain Florida Statutes related to liens or abandoned property.
Section 3 – Licensed Salvage Dealer or Secondary Metals Recycler
The buyer (licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler) completes this section and certifies:
- Business name and license/registration number
- That they paid less than $1,000 for the motor vehicle or less than $5,000 for the trailer
- Agreement to hold the vehicle for three business days (excluding weekends and holidays) or 10 calendar days if a lien less than three years old exists, before dismantling or destruction
- Notification will be made to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS)
The completed form must be delivered to a local tax collector’s office or license plate agency within 24 hours of receiving the vehicle (excluding weekends and holidays).
Where to Submit Form 82137?
Submit the completed form to your local Florida tax collector’s office or authorized license plate agency. You can find office locations on the official FLHSMV website: www.flhsmv.gov/offices/.
The department charges a $3 fee for each derelict motor vehicle certificate processed. Additional service charges may apply under Florida law.
What Happens After Submission?
Once accepted:
- The FLHSMV cancels the title record.
- A Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate is issued.
- The salvage dealer or recycler must wait the required holding period before dismantling or scrapping the vehicle.
- If an active lien less than three years old exists, the department notifies the lienholder. The lien may be removed after 10 days if no protest is received.
A Derelict Certificate may be reassigned only once—from one licensed salvage dealer to another licensed salvage dealer or secondary metals recycler.
Download the Official Florida HSMV Form 82137
Always use the current official version of the form. Download the free PDF directly from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
Download Florida HSMV Form 82137 (PDF)
Print the form, complete it accurately, attach a legible copy of the owner/seller’s driver license or ID, and submit it with the required documentation.
Common Questions About Form 82137
Can I sell a junk car in Florida without a title using this form?
Yes, provided the vehicle meets the age and value requirements and is sold to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler.
Does the owner on the form have to match the FLHSMV database?
No. The form may be signed by the owner of record or a person who has physical possession and responsibility for the derelict motor vehicle, as long as they attest that possession was obtained lawfully.
What if the VIN is missing or the vehicle is burned?
A letter on official letterhead from a law enforcement officer trained in auto theft verifying the confidential VIN may be required along with the completed Form 82137.
Can the Derelict Certificate be used to re-title the vehicle later?
No. The vehicle or trailer may never be titled again and must be dismantled or scrapped.