Moving to Florida 101: Registering an Out of State Car
If you’re a new Florida resident, or are thinking of moving to Florida, you may have questions about your car insurance and what steps you need to take to get your vehicle registered. At Pacific Crest Lakewood, we get a lot of calls from people moving to Florida who have questions about this process. We’re happy to answer them — and to welcome you to the Sunshine State!
Once you move to Florida, you have 30 days to get a Florida driver’s license, but only 10 days to buy insurance and title/register your vehicles. Where should you start? Before you register your vehicle at the Florida DMV, you’ll need to buy insurance valid in Florida. The coverage requirements in Florida are a little different than in other parts of the United States.
Coverage Requirements to Register a Car in Florida
To register a car in Florida, you must have an insurance policy with a minimum of:
- $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) — covers injuries you or certain others receive in a crash, regardless of who is at fault. It also covers your injuries if you’re hit while you’re a pedestrian.
- $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL) — protects your liability if you’re at fault in an accident and you damage someone else’s property, such as a vehicle, building, or telephone pole.
Please note that this is the minimum coverage required to drive legally in Florida, but such low coverage is not recommended for most people because it is most likely inadequate to fully protect you financially if you’re in an accident.
In addition, Florida has something called the Financial Responsibility Law, which requires that any person at fault in a crash resulting in bodily injury and property damage to others must have in effect at the time of the crash full liability insurance coverage. This means that if you are at fault in an accident and you injure someone, you must be carrying at least $10,000 per person Bodily Injury (BI) coverage in addition to PIP and PDL coverage at the time of the accident.
Getting Insurance for Your Vehicle
Before you can transfer the title or registration for your vehicle to Florida, you must have proof of Florida insurance. Out of state insurance policies must be transferred to a Florida policy — your new Florida insurance card or binder must specifically state that it is a Florida policy and must list the vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, and model of the vehicle you are registering.
To get started, get a free auto insurance quote from Pacific Crest Lakewood — you’ll need the driver’s licenses of all drivers in the household, as well as the vehicle identification number (VIN) for each vehicle. Have your current car insurance policy handy so you can tell your agent what coverage you currently have as well as what you would like on your new Florida policy.
Our agents at our Bradenton office (941) 747-4600 and Riverview office (813) 672-4100 are ready to help you find the right Florida auto insurance coverage at the most competitive rates.
Florida Vehicle Registration Guidelines
In addition to proof of Florida insurance, you’ll need the following to register your out of state vehicle in Florida:
Out of State Car Registration in Florida Checklist
- ✅ Proof of identity (Florida Driver’s License, US Passport, or other valid ID)
- ✅ Proof of Florida Insurance (must be a Florida policy with your VIN listed)
- ✅ Original Out of State Title (if financed, contact your lienholder to obtain the title)
- ✅ Completed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (HSMV Form 82040)
- ✅ VIN Verification (completed by law enforcement, Florida DMV inspector, Florida notary public, or active-duty military officer)
Remember: You must register your vehicle within 10 days of establishing residency in Florida.
Florida Vehicle Registration Fees (2026)
- $225 — Initial registration fee for first time registrants and those bringing a vehicle from another state
- $28.10 – $48.10 for cars — Registration fee is based on the weight and type of the vehicle. You can check the Florida License Plate Rate Chart for specifics.
- Additional fees may apply depending on your county, vehicle type, and sales tax situation
Sales Tax Note: If you have owned your vehicle for 6 months or less, Florida sales/use tax of 6% applies (minus credit for tax paid in another state). If you have owned and used your vehicle for more than 6 months in another state, no Florida sales tax is due provided you can prove prior ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Out of State Car Registration in Florida
How much does it cost to register a car in Florida? The initial registration fee for first time registrants and those bringing a vehicle from another state is $225. Additional fees ranging from $28 to $48 apply based on vehicle weight, and sales tax may also apply depending on how long you have owned your vehicle. Total estimated costs typically range from $250 to $370 or more depending on your situation.
How long do I have to register my car in Florida? You must register your vehicle within 10 days of any of these qualifying events:
- Becoming employed in Florida
- Placing children in a Florida public school
- Establishing residency in Florida
Do I need Florida insurance to register a car in Florida? Yes — proof of a valid Florida insurance policy is required. Out of state insurance policies are not accepted. Your Florida insurance card or binder must list your vehicle’s VIN, year, make, and model, and must specifically identify it as a Florida policy.
How long do I have to get a Florida driver’s license? You have 30 days from establishing Florida residency to obtain a Florida driver’s license. You will need two proofs of residency and identity, as well as your out of state license. A vision test is required.
What happens if I don’t register my vehicle within 10 days? Driving with an expired registration in Florida (more than 6 months past expiration) is a second-degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Don’t wait — update your registration immediately after moving to Florida.
Your Local Independent Insurance Agent in Bradenton & Riverview
When moving to Florida, you’ll want to work with a local independent insurance agent who is familiar with Florida’s insurance laws and coverage requirements. An independent agent can check rates with multiple insurance companies to find the best coverage at the most competitive rates — rather than being tied to just one company.
Pacific Crest Lakewood, formerly known as Lakewood Financial and L&M Insurance Group, is a locally owned independent insurance agency serving Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Riverview, Brandon, Tampa, and surrounding Florida communities since 2003. With offices in Bradenton and Riverview, our experienced bilingual agents represent 100+ top-rated insurance companies and are ready to help you get the right Florida auto insurance coverage before your 10-day deadline.
📍 Bradenton Office: 11015 Gatewood Dr, Suite 101, Bradenton, FL 34211 | (941) 747-4600
📍 Riverview Office: 10849 Boyette Rd, Riverview, FL 33569 | (813) 672-4100
🌐 pacificcrestlakewood.com
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