The Federal Trade Commission's "Cooling-Off Rule" gives consumers three days to cancel certain sales made at their home, workplace, or dormitory, or at facilities rented by the seller on a temporary basis. It was designed to protect consumers from high-pressure door-to-door sales tactics. It does not apply to sales made at a dealer's permanent place of business.

Florida has no state law equivalent that applies to car dealerships. Some dealers offer their own voluntary return policies as a marketing tool, but these are not required by law and the terms vary widely. If a dealer advertises a return policy, get the terms in writing before you sign — and read them carefully, because they often have significant restrictions.

The absence of a cooling-off period makes it especially important to be careful before you sign. Take your time in the finance office. Read every document before signing. Ask questions about any charge or product you do not recognize. If you feel pressured to sign quickly, that is a warning sign.

If you have already signed and want to get out of the deal, your options depend on what happened during the transaction. If the dealer made misrepresentations, concealed defects, or added products without your consent, you may have grounds for rescission or damages under FDUTPA. If the dealer simply made a hard sell and you changed your mind, your options are more limited.

One exception worth noting: if the dealer is still arranging financing after you take delivery of the vehicle, the transaction may not be fully complete. In a "spot delivery" or "yo-yo" situation, the dealer may call you back to renegotiate terms. This creates its own set of legal issues, but it also means the transaction is not yet final in the way a fully funded deal would be.