Registering a Newly Purchased Vehicle in Florida

First-Time Florida Vehicle Registration

The process for registering a new or used vehicle purchased in Florida depends on whether you:

OR

Florida Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Purchased From a Dealership

When you purchase a new or used vehicle at a dealership, the dealer is required to apply for a new tag and title within 30 days of sale.

In some cases, the dealer may:

  • Charge a processing fee. The dealer is required to disclose this separately from the purchase contract.

AND/OR

  • Require the buyer to sign a cash-on-delivery form at the time of purchase. This means that once you receive your registration and title (if there is no lien), you’ll be required to pay the dealer back for the title and registration fee.

Florida Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Purchased from a Private Party

To register a vehicle purchased from a private seller, the FLHSMV recommends both parties visit one of the FLHSMV offices for Motor Vehicle services when finalizing the sale.

Buyers must be ready to provide:

  • Proof of identity.
  • Proof of Florida insurance (for initial registration).
  • The paper title certificate with the Transfer of Title by Seller section completed and signed by the seller.
    • If the title is held electronically, the seller must accompany the buyer to the office and provide a completed HSMV 82994 form OR 82092 form (for vehicles that are exempt from odometer requirements).
  • Payment for applicable fees and taxes.
  • If the buyer has a valid Florida license plate, transfer it to the new vehicle and avoid paying an initial registration fee (see the section below). The seller will retain the vehicle’s license plates upon purchase.

For out-of-state buyers, the buyer must complete the titling process in the other state. In the meantime, the buyer may purchase a temporary Florida title for the vehicle that is valid for 30 days.

Initial Vehicle Registration in Florida

In Florida, license plates stay with the seller, and not the purchaser of a vehicle. You may need to apply for an initial registration:

  • If you do NOT currently possess a license plate for a vehicle you owned and was registered to you in Florida to transfer to the new vehicle.

OR

  • The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles does NOT have record of a Florida license plate registered to you to transfer to the new vehicle.

If you need to apply for initial registration, do so when you complete the title transfer of your new vehicle.

Visit your local motor vehicle services center and provide*:

*Additional documentation may be required in unique situations. Contact the FLHSMV for details.

New Florida Resident Titling/Registration

When you move to Florida, you must register your out-of-state vehicle with the FLHSMV. If your vehicle has a lien, contact the lienholder and request they transfer the title to Florida. If they refuse, request a refusal document in writing on letterhead.

To register a vehicle with a lien in Florida, visit your local office and present:

If your vehicle does NOT have a lien, visit your local FLHSMV office and provide:

Other Vehicle Registration in Florida

Other vehicles may require a different registration process in Florida. Visit the FLHSMV website for information on titling and registering a:

Florida Vehicle Registration and Title Fees

  • Initial registration: $225.
  • Title transfer*: $75.25
  • Original title for a used vehicle*: $85.25
  • Original title for a new vehicle*: $77.25
  • Lien recording fee: $2.

Registration fees vary and are calculated based on your:

*This is the fee for an electronic title. To print a paper title, you will be charged an additional $2.50 handling fee.

DMVAppointments.org is here to help you simplify your DMV experience, but we are not associated with any government agency and are privately owned.