The state of Florida requires that all vehicles be registered through Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) .
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Persons can also use Florida’s eTags, which is the state’s online registration system. For individuals new to Florida, those persons have ten days to register a vehicle as soon as the resident establishes residency.
Residency in Florida includes: (1) working in Florida, (2) children attending school in Florida or (3) leasing, renting or buying a home in Florida for the sole purpose of dwelling.
Florida makes it mandatory that residents register vehicles/cars with the Florida DHSMV. If not properly registered, you could face, citations and steep fines.
On this page, you'll find the steps you you need, to register your vehicle in Florida.
Additionally, in Florida, you can complete both the registration and titling at the same time.
Do you live in a specific county and want access to your county office? Click here to be taken to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website!
Florida Vehicle Registration- New Residents
For residents new to Florida wishing to register your car, you must have the following:
- A Florida driver’s license
- Proof of car or auto insurance
- The out-of-state car/vehicle title
- VIN verification
- Application for certificate of title with/without registration completed
- A vehicle identification number
- An odometer verification
- Registration and tax fees
Additionally, once you buy or are handed your vehicle, you must register it here in Florida.
If you bought your car from a dealer, you are allowed a temporary license plate.
The dealer can and will probably offer to file the registration/title for you. Additionally, the dealer has to do this in 30 days.
If not completed in that time frame, you can contact the Division of Motor Services to inquire about the status of the documents.
Completing Florida Registration- Vehicle Bought from Private Seller
For a vehicle you bought privately, you have to register that vehicle in your name, according to Florida law. The following must be completed to do so:
- A completed car/vehicle title.
- An odometer/mileage disclosure statement.
- The title filled out and handed to the county tax collector’s office. You must also give it to an agent.
- Proof of car insurance.
- An application for certification for title with/without registration.
- Both the VIN and odometer verification forms.
- Money for registration fees.
Florida DMV Registration for Military Persons
Members of the military who are stationed in Florida and are full residents of the state, are required to register a vehicle like that of a Florida resident who is not in the military.
The only difference is when it comes to registering the vehicle, the initial registration fee is waived.
To take advantage of this, you must complete a Military Initial Registration Feel Exemption Affidavit.
Members of the military stationed in Florida who are residents of another state, do not have to register their cars under Florida law.
But those persons must maintain vehicle registration and have current as well as valid car insurance in their home state.
Military service men and service women who are residents of Florida, stationed in another state, but want to register their vehicle must complete:
- An application for certification for title with/without registration
- A Military initial registration fee exemption affidavit
- A Military insurance exemption information
- An Exemption from Florida sales tax
- A Florida insurance affidavit
Cost to Register Car in Florida
The fees for registering your vehicle will vary due to the type of vehicle you are registering.
Your fees will be based on the weight of your car and whether you register the vehicle for one or two years. Additionally, the Florida car registration fees are as follows:
- Those private vehicles with weight up to 2,499 pounds are $27.60 for one year, $55.50 for two years.
- The vehicles with weight up to 2,500 to 3,499 pounds are $35.60 for one year, $71.50 for two years.
- For vehicles with weight up to 3,500 pounds or more are $46.50 for one year, $91.20 for two years.
- There is a $225 one-time registration fee for vehicles that never had a Florida registration.
You can also register a vehicle in Florida in person or online through eTags. Visit the Florida DMV website for additional information.
Registering a Car in Florida- Lost Registration
A duplicate of a lost vehicle registration can be issued at any local branch office of any Florida Tax Collector.
To get a replacement, you must provide the vehicle decal number, the vehicle license plate number, or the VIN, which is the vehicle identification number and a valid photo ID.
For persons unable to visit an office, you can visit www.gorenew.com and request a duplicate from the state. There is a fee of $2.50 for a duplicate registration.
How To Register Car In Florida- Specialty License Plates
Florida has over 100 different specialty license plates that display various organizations in support of the causes they represent.
With the money raised from the sale of these license plates, the monies go directly to the organization.
Over the years, people have bought lots of these specialty license plates.
Millions of dollars have been raised for various organizations. Click here to learn more!
FL Registration- License Plates for Military Personnel
Florida provides servicemen and women military license plates, so that they can display their service.
The state is proud to honor service men and women!
Military plates except the Medal of Honor plates are located at the local motor vehicle service center.
To request Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, World War II Veteran and Distinguished Flying Cross plates, you have to submit a request to the Department for processing at the following address:
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Direct Mail
2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS #72
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Click here for additional information!
Auto Registration Florida – Personalized License Plates
Florida residents who want personalized can order them at motor vehicle service center throughout Florida in person.
You have to pay an additional $15 for the annual fee for each personalized license plate. You will also need to fill out the Application for Personalized License Plate which is Form HSMV 83043.
Once done, you can bring it to a local office for processing. Click here for additional information!
Florida DMV Tags – Getting A Duplicate Car Title
If you don’t have your car’s title, you cannot register that car here in Florida. You can’t register that car in another state if you’re moving out of Florida.
Additionally, without the title, you will not be able to sell, trade in or use your car as collateral for a loan.
So, having a car title is important as it stifles you from doing much else with your car here in Florida.
So, for persons who need a duplicate car title, the state of Florida allows you to apply for a duplicate title either in person or by mail.
The fees for a duplicate title vary. For a car previously titled in Florida and you need a duplicate, you have to pay $75.25.
New car owners have to pay a total of $77.25.
For a car with out-of-state registration and you need a duplicate title, you must $85.25. Need that car title expedited? There’s a $85.25 cost for that!
Also, if the title was lost before moving to Florida, you have to pay a vehicle inspection number or VIN inspection by a licensed auto dealer.
You can also pay these fees at a Florida county tax collector office, with a law enforcement officer or a commissioned officer/provost marshal.
You also have to complete Form HSMV 82042.
If you want to apply for your duplicate car title at your local Florida DMV office, you need to have:
- Form HSMV 82101 filled out.
- Proof of your identity (a valid state-issued ID should be sufficient ID)
- An odometer disclosure stating of accurate mileage.
- Any information or paperwork about any lien-holders.
- Appropriate payment.
You can take this information to your local tax collector office in Florida.
What Do I Need To Renew My Florida Registration Online?
In order to renew your Florida car registration online, you need a strong Internet connection and a great working computer!
The FLHSMV provides a convenient, easy and quick way to renew a vehicle registration online!
Residents can go to GoRenew.com. Additionally, residents can access the following on the GoRenew.com website:
- One or two-year registration renewals for motor vehicles.
- A duplicate registration given if the customers registration is lost.
- Payment portal. The com site accepts credit cards.
For Florida residents who need to renew a registration online, you must have a personal identifying information of the owner of the vehicle to log in and complete activities.
If FLHSMV is isn’t able to verify valid insurance on the vehicle, you can't register your car.
If there are stops on the registration, customers must go into an office or call FLHSMV Customer Service at (850) 617-2000 about the stop on the registration.
Additionally Florida residents who use GoRenew.com can expect to receive their registration in the mail within 7-10 business days from the transaction.
GoRenew.com also offers customers an emailed confirmation receipt that can be used until the registration arrives in the mail. Click here for additional information!