St. Petersburg Mobile Mechanic License Requirements (2026)

📋 Your checklist

State

1. Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Shop registration (FDACS)
   Anyone repairing other people's vehicles for pay, explicitly including mobile repair shops and self-employed individuals, must register with FDACS before doing business. You must file copies of your estimate and invoice forms. Fee per year: $50 (1-5 repair employees), $150 (6-10), $300 (11+); initial fee waived for qualifying veterans and spouses.
   ⏰ Register before starting; fee is per year (verify your renewal date with FDACS)
   Source: Florida Statutes §559.903 (motor vehicle repair shop definition) · Florida Statutes §559.904 (motor vehicle repair shop registration and fees)
2. Business name and entity filings (Sunbiz)
   LLCs and corporations file an annual report ($138.75 for an LLC). Using a name other than your legal name? Register it as a fictitious name.
   ⏰ Annual report: May 1 ($400 late fee). Fictitious name: renew every 5 years
   Source: Florida Division of Corporations: File Annual Report · Florida Statutes §865.09 (fictitious name registration)

Local (St. Petersburg / Pinellas County)

1. City of St. Petersburg Business Tax Receipt
   Required to do business inside city limits. Renewal notices usually mail in July, but the tax is due even if you never get one.
   ⏰ Due by September 30; 10% late in October, up to 25%
   Source: City of St. Petersburg: Business Tax Receipts
2. Pinellas County
   Pinellas County itself does not issue a business tax receipt (repealed in 1995). Your city receipt is what you need locally.
   ⏰ None
   Source: Pinellas County: Occupational Licenses/Business Tax Receipts