How to Register a Vehicle in Florida
Florida law requires that motor vehicle owners must register their vehicle with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles before taking it on the road. Both new and second-hand vehicles must be registered, regardless of whether they are purchased from a dealer or an individual. In addition, new Florida residents who have registered their vehicle in another state must register their vehicle in Florida. The initial vehicle registration must be done in person, and registration renewals must be done annually, either in person, online or by phone.
INITIAL REGISTRATION
If you are registering a motor vehicle in Florida for the first time, you must complete the following steps:
- Complete a vehicle title/registration form.
- Visit your local county tax collector's office, and bring the completed title/registration form with you, along with the vehicle safety inspection certification. In addition, you will need to provide proof of insurance, and the odometer reading, if the vehicle is less than 10 years old.
- For vehicles that have been registered in another state, you must also bring the original, out-of-state title. If the title is unavailable, bring the registration document, along with proof of sales tax payment.
- You will also need to carry the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) verification for vehicles that do not have a Florida title.
- If you have misplaced the title you will not be able to register the car. You will have to provide the Bill of Sale or ask the previous owner of the car to replace the title.
- You can register your vehicle for 12 or 24 months plus three months advance registration.
REGISTRATION FEES
When registering your vehicle at the county tax collector's office, you will be required to pay certain fees, typically as follows:
- The registration fee, which varies depending on the manufacturer's model year or the vehicle's total weight. Generally, the registration fee will be between $27.60 and $91.20.
- Title application fee.
There may be additional fees when you register, depending on your county. Contact the county tax collector's office for the specific requirements.
OUT OF STATE REGISTRATION
If you need to register a vehicle while you are out of Florida, you will need to refer to the rate chart and complete the application for certificate of title. Mail the application to the county tax collector's office.
RENEWING YOUR VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Owners of motor vehicles in Florida are required to renew their vehicle registration annually, and can do so in person, online or by phone. See our Registration Renewal section for complete details.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- If you are a non-resident active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces or a non-resident full-time student attending a Florida college or university, you are not required to title or register your vehicle.
- The process for registering a motorcycle is generally the same as a car registration; however, there are different procedures for boat registration and custom car registration.
- Auto Insurance is needed to legally operate all vehicles in Florida.
- See also Renewing Your Vehicle Registration.
- See also Title Transfers and Car Insurance.
Reviews of How to Register a Vehicle in Florida
I want to purchase a car that belonged to a seasonal resident and it has an Indiana title. I am a lifelong Florida resident with a tag to transfer.... Am I gonna have to pay anything other than the normal titling/registration fees? OR is there some other FEE that I am gonna get SLAPPED with?
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I have purchased a Low Speed Vehicle and want to know what I have to do to register it for the road. I have the insurance. I want to transfer my car plates to the low speed vehicle. Also, where do I go and do I have to have the vechicle with me.
Thank you
I also live in another state and keep a car at my house in florida can I register the car there, the car is there year round? Thanks Ed
Ed, you can register it in Florida with the applicable fees, however you will also need to insure the car in Florida as well to get the car registered. The insurance would come first.
I lived in Florida in the 80"s,since then i moved to Pa. Will i have to go through all the licensing and registration processes a person moving there for the first time will? Also do they have discounted tags for people on Social Security and low income as does Pa.?
I am getting many conflicting answers. I live in NJ have a valid Jersey DL. We recently purchase a home in Florida and would like to put a car there for when we visit instead of renting all the time. Can I insure and register the car to my Florida property and still have a NJ license or do I have to register and insure it up here even though it will be in Florida 365 days a year?
I live in Va have a valid Va DL. We recently purchase a home in Florida and would like to put a car there for when we visit instead of renting all the time. Can I insure and register the car to my Florida property and still have a Va license or do I have to register and insure it up here even though the car will be in Florida the entire year?
I have a weekend home in Florida but live in NJ. May I register a car in Florida [ transfer registration from NJ ]
I have a florida drivers license addressed in Melbourne Florida. Am I able to register my vehicle in another county in florida as long as I stay in the state of Florida? Or am I required to register the vehicle in the Brevard County. I would like to purchase a vehicle from another state and get it to Jacksonville in order to get it titled/tag in order to drive it home.
Most states provide a temporary registration to bring your vehicle home to register. You will have to insure it before you can drive it but the temp registrations are usually 10 to 14 days
I am trying to figure this out for my employer. How do you register a leased vehicle from Texas that is now in Connecticut? My employer has property in Florida and would like to register this car in Florida. He is a Connecticut resident. Thank you. PS Can this be on online or does he need to go in person?
How many days after you buy a used car from an individual in Florida do you have to get it registered in my name and the title transfered?
How do we go about downloading and printing of our car title now that the loan is paid off? I understand that the title is in electronic form in Florida, and I would like a hard copy.
Go to flhsmv.gov and on the top center of the page is an image of a mouse with a drop down menu next to it. In that menu select "print your electronic title". Costs about $2.50 and takes less than a week in most cases.
I have a question about if I got a van given to me by a friend and I am wondering if the price for the title and what not would change based on whether or not i got it for free?
Not normally. Just whether or not you have to pay taxes.
I am going to be gifting a vehicle to a Florida resident, but the vehicle has a maasachusetts registration. How do I do this?
If I give my auto to my son, is there any tax issues
Do you get a new decal every year when you register your power boat?
If I own a house in Florida & want to register a car in the state but drive it in another - am I allowed to do that?
If I own a house in Florida & want to register a car in the state but drive it in another - am I allowed to do that?
I bought a Bentley in the Dominica Republic from an individual that bought the car in the US at a Bentley dealer . I'm importing the car and my status is as a non-resident ,the car was built to US standards since it was bought here in the states.What paperwork do I nedd to register the car here in Florida
I have a car that will be going to Florida for a residence address to stay there, the car is in my name but my son will be driving it because he will be employed there. How can I get this car liscened without my being there to sign for it?
Did you get an answer? I am in the same situation.
same situation, any answers?
the website does not say when i have to register a vehicle in florida or when the clock starts ticking.
90 days in state or 10 days from gaining residency. Ie: gaining employment, utility hookup, children enrolling in school etc. Of course, there are exceptions.
I was pulled over by the florida highway patrol and he told me 10 days
30 days
The website information does not say how long i have to register my vehicle in florida; when does the clock start ticking?
how do you apply for a vin number and title for a low speed/nev vehicle ?