Florida HSMV Form 82996 Odometer Affidavit Guide – The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) requires accurate odometer disclosures on motor vehicle title transfers to comply with both state and federal law. One important supporting document used in specific situations is HSMV Form 82996, officially titled the Motor Vehicle Dealer/Auto Auction or Customer Odometer Affidavit.
This form helps dealers, auto auctions, and individual customers verify whether a vehicle has a five-digit or six-digit odometer. It is commonly submitted as supporting documentation when there is a discrepancy involving the odometer reading on a title application or reassignment.
Official Download: Download Florida HSMV Form 82996 (PDF) from the official FLHSMV website.
What Is Florida HSMV Form 82996?
HSMV Form 82996 is an official affidavit issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Motorist Services. The form allows a motor vehicle dealer, auto auction, or customer (individual or company) to certify, after physical inspection of the vehicle, the type of odometer installed and the correct mileage status that should appear on the certificate of title.
The current version of the form is HSMV 82996 (Rev. 07/11). It remains listed among active forms on the official FLHSMV forms page and is referenced in current title and lien procedures (TL-09).
The form contains fields for:
- Year of the vehicle
- Make
- Title Number
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
It then offers three certification statements regarding the odometer.
Purpose of the Motor Vehicle Dealer/Auto Auction or Customer Odometer Affidavit
Federal and Florida law (primarily Section 319.225, Florida Statutes, and 49 C.F.R. Part 580) require accurate odometer disclosures when ownership of most motor vehicles is transferred. Errors sometimes occur when the wrong mileage status box is checked—particularly the difference between “Actual Mileage” and “In Excess of Its Mechanical Limits.”
Form 82996 is used as supporting documentation to clarify or correct these issues by confirming whether the vehicle has a five-digit or six-digit odometer. According to FLHSMV Procedure TL-09:
“This form may be used by a customer (may be an individual or company), auction, or dealer (as supporting documentation) to verify that a specific motor vehicle has either a five (5) or six (6) digit odometer.”
Common situations where the form is helpful include:
- A title reassignment shows high mileage as “Actual Miles,” but the vehicle only has a five-digit odometer (so the correct status is “Exceeds Mechanical Limits”).
- A six-digit odometer reading over 99,999 miles was incorrectly marked “Exceeds Mechanical Limits” instead of “Actual Mileage.”
- Paperwork shows a change from five-digit to six-digit (or vice versa) and clarification is needed.
When Should You Use Form HSMV 82996?
You should consider using Florida Form 82996 in these situations:
- When submitting a title application or reassignment that contains an odometer discrepancy related to the number of digits on the odometer.
- When a dealer or auction needs to document a physical inspection confirming the odometer type.
- When a private customer (buyer or seller) needs to provide supporting evidence about the vehicle’s odometer configuration.
It is not a substitute for the required odometer disclosure statement itself (such as the disclosure on the title, Form 82993, Form 82994, or Form 82995). Instead, it serves as additional supporting documentation.
Note that certain vehicles are exempt from odometer disclosure requirements entirely (for example, vehicles 10 or 20 years old depending on model year, vehicles with GVWR over 16,000 pounds, or non-self-propelled vehicles). Form 82996 is generally relevant only for non-exempt vehicles where the digit configuration of the odometer is in question.
How to Complete Florida HSMV Form 82996?
Follow these steps carefully:
- Enter Vehicle Information – Fill in the Year, Make, Title Number, and VIN exactly as they appear on the title or supporting documents.
- Select the Correct Certification Statement – Choose only one of the three options based on physical inspection of the vehicle:
- Option 1: The vehicle has a five-digit odometer and the mileage should be marked “in excess of its mechanical limits.”
- Option 2: The vehicle has a six-digit odometer that is over 99,999 miles and should state “actual mileage” on the title.
- Option 3: The vehicle has a six-digit odometer over 99,999 miles that should state “actual mileage,” and the “exceeds mechanical limits” box was checked in error.
- Sign Under Penalty of Perjury – The form includes the required declaration: “UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I DECLARE THAT I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING DOCUMENT AND THAT THE FACTS STATED IN IT ARE TRUE.”
- Complete Signature Section – Provide the Name of Dealer/Auction or Customer and the Signature of Title Clerk or Customer.
Always perform a physical inspection of the vehicle before completing the form. Providing false information on this affidavit can result in penalties under Florida law.
Where to Submit Form 82996?
Submit the completed Form 82996 along with the title application and other required documents to your local Florida County Tax Collector’s office or license plate agency. These offices process motor vehicle title transactions on behalf of the FLHSMV.
You can locate your nearest office using the official FLHSMV locations directory: Find a Florida Tax Collector or License Plate Agency.
Dealers and auctions typically retain copies of supporting documents in their records as required by law (generally five years for certain odometer-related forms).
Related Florida Odometer and Title Forms
Form 82996 is often used in conjunction with other FLHSMV forms. Common related documents include:
- HSMV 82993 – Separate Odometer Disclosure Statement and Acknowledgment
- HSMV 82994 – Motor Vehicle Dealer Title Reassignment Supplement (secure form)
- HSMV 82995 – Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney/Odometer Disclosure (secure form)
- HSMV 82042 – Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification
- HSMV 82040 – Application for Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title
For the most current list of forms, visit the official FLHSMV Forms page.
Important Legal Notes and Best Practices
Odometer fraud is a serious federal and state offense. Always ensure that:
- The information on Form 82996 is based on an actual physical inspection of the vehicle.
- You select only the certification statement that accurately reflects the odometer type and status.
- You keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
- You do not use the form to bypass required odometer disclosures on the title or other primary forms.
If you are a licensed Florida motor vehicle dealer or auto auction, consult the current FLHSMV Procedure Manual TL-09 (Odometer Disclosure and Declaration Requirements) for detailed guidance on when supporting affidavits such as Form 82996 are accepted.
Private individuals handling title transfers should contact their local Tax Collector’s office if they have questions about whether Form 82996 is needed for their specific transaction.