Just moved to Florida and need to get a driver license and your
car registered? Here's what to do:
Note: The term "vehicle"
includes motorcycles, automobiles, trailers, vans, and boats, regularly parked
or garaged overnight in Florida.
If you have an out-of-state license, and
it has not expired beyond 30 days, you may be able to convert your license
without taking a written or road test. You will need to have a vision screening.
Please call your local driver license office and schedule an
appointment.
Obtain vehicle insurance from a company licensed to do
business in Florida--in other words, visit a Florida insurance agent.
Take your proof of Florida insurance; your original out of state title
and verification of the motor vehicle's *vehicle identification number (VIN),
completed on form HSMV 82040 or HSMV 82042 (available on our website), to your
local Florida county tax collector's office.
VIN verification is
required for all USED motor vehicles not currently titled in Florida, including
trailers with a weight of 2,000 pounds or more.
*The VIN must be
verified by one of the following:
A law enforcement officer from any
state.
A licensed Florida or out of state motor vehicle dealer.
NOTE: If
the VIN is verified by an out of state motor vehicle dealer, the verification
must be submitted on their letterhead stationary.
A Florida DMV
Compliance Examiner/Inspector, DMV or tax collector employee.
A notary
public commissioned by the state of Florida.
Provost Marshal (an officer who
supervises the military police of a command) or a commissioned officer in active
military service, with a rank of 2nd lieutenant or higher or an LNC, "Legalman,
Chief Petty Officer, E-7".
If the out of state title is currently in the
possession of an out of state lien holder, the tax collector's office will
assist you in contacting the lien holder to obtain the title. The lien will be
recorded on the Florida title when issued and will be mailed to the lien holder.
Sales tax information for the motor vehicle.
If the motor
vehicle was purchased six months or more prior to the time it was brought into
this state, it is not subject to the six percent Florida sales or use tax or
local discretionary sales surtax. Documentary evidence must be shown that the
motor vehicle or mobile home was used for six months or more in such
jurisdiction.
If the motor vehicle was purchased and used less than six
months in another state, territory of the United States or the District of
Columbia, the full amount of the six percent Florida sales or use tax and local
discretionary sales surtax is required to be paid before title and license plate
can be issued by the department.
However, a credit is allowed for a like tax
paid in another state, territory of the United States or the District of
Columbia, against the amount of Florida sales or use tax and local discretionary
sales surtax. For credit allowed, ONE of the following would apply:
If the
credit is equal to or greater than the amount imposed by this state, no
additional tax is due.
If the credit is less than the amount imposed by this
state, only the difference between the two would be due.
Seat
Belts/Child Restraints
Occupants of all motor vehicles operating on base
and in the state of Florida are required to wear safety
belts. Gate sentries
are authorized and directed to inform personnel of this requirement prior to
allowing entry to the base. Station police are authorized to issue traffic
citations for violations. In accordance with Florida statutes: Every operator of
a motor vehicle, while transporting a child in a passenger car, van or truck on
the roadways, streets or highways of this state, will, if the child is five
years of younger, provide for the protection of the child by properly using a
crash-tested, federally-approved child restraint. For children through three
years of age, the restraint device must be a separate carrier. For children ages
four and five, a separate carrier or seat belt must be used.