Florida Driver's License
Active duty non-resident military
that tag and title a vehicle in Florida, are exempt from the initial
registration fee. If they at any time thereafter become a resident,
they are required to pay the $100.00 initial registration fee. If you
become a Florida resident in order to claim the $25K Homestead Exemption, you
must then pay the $100.00 initial registration fee before you'll be allowed to
claim the Homestead Exemption.
Florida military residents who retire
and/or are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, will be exempt from the
initial registration fees, if application for a Florida title is made within 6
months of the date of discharge and individual can show a
DD-214.
Note: Per the Florida Division of Driver's License,
spouses who plan to work in Florida must obtain a Florida Driver's
License.
Active duty military stationed in Florida and their dependents
do not need to get a Florida license if they have a valid license from another
state, with the following exceptions:
(1) Service member or spouse claims
homestead exemption (Florida residency). Then all drivers in family
must obtain a Florida license. (2) Service member becomes employed
outside the military, in Florida he/she must obtain a Florida
license. (3) Spouse of service member becomes employed in Florida,
spouse must obtain Florida license. (4) Child becomes employed in
Florida. Then only employed child who drives must obtain Florida
license. (5)A service member registers a child in a Florida public school.
Florida licenses must be obtained within 30 days of the above
actions.
New Florida residents have 30 days after establishing
residency to apply for a Florida Driver's License. First-time
applicants may obtain a restricted operator license at 15 years old with
parental consent (please refer to the Florida Handbook). Military
members and family members whose Florida license has expired more than one year
but are still in their possession, may renew license by taking a road sign and
vision test. If member has obtained an out-of-state license and it is
still valid, it will transfer with a road sign and vision test. If an
out-of-state license has expired, and Florida has no file, a complete test is
required--written, vision, and road test. A free Driver's Handbook is
available. Licenses are valid for 4-6 years and should be renewed on
or before applicant's birth date. Call the Driver License Office for an
appointment. Appointments are
preferred.
Vehicle/Boat Registrations
(Florida)
Non-resident military stationed in Florida by military orders
are not required to carry a Florida plate. As long as they are here
on orders, they may keep current license plates from their home state; but they
do have the option of purchasing a Florida "Registration Only" plate at a
discounted rate. They must present a photocopy of their title
certificate from their lien holder or bring in the title if in their
possession. Also they should bring in the following: 1.
Current leave and earning statement showing home of record. 2. Military
identification card. 3. Driver's license. 4. Proof of insurance meeting the
Florida requirements. 5. The vehicle to be registered must be
present; whoever is shown as registered owner on the title must be present to
make the application. Automobile registration renewals are determined
by the month of the applicant's birth date. Vehicle registration
expires on the birthday (midnight of the owner that appears first on the
registration when in more than one name) not at the end of the
month.
Military are exempt from providing proof of Florida insurance
to obtain a Florida Tag , only in the following circumstances:
1. The
military member is an owner or co-owner of the vehicle and
2. The military
member is a Florida resident stationed outside Florida.
In addition, an
out-of-state address must be shown on the Florida Vehicle Registration
Certificate. We must have a copy of the military orders or an affidavit from the
military member's commanding officer, which confirms the military orders, and
the date of the assignment.
You must submit an affidavit stating the
vehicle will not be driven in the state of Florida.
CAUTION:
Florida drivers are impatient and tend to speed up to 'beat a yellow light',
rather than prepare to stop. Consequently, many drivers run red
lights and you become the victim! Don't become another statistic!!
Take an extra second to be sure the oncoming traffic is stopping before you
enter an intersection.
FLORIDA LAW REQUIRES YOU TO TURN ON YOUR CAR
HEADLIGHTS WHENEVER THERE IS ANY RESTRICTION TO VISIBILITY WHILE
DRIVING. THIS INCLUDES RAIN, FOG, SMOKE, AS WELL AS AT DAWN AND
DUSK. DRIVE SAFELY!