Motor Vehicles

Title Requirements

When visiting our office, you must bring specific forms for titling and/or registration. The checklist below lists the basic documents necessary.

1. Ownership (Bring one)

• Original Title
• Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO)
• Registration (from NON-Titling States)

2. Forms

• Proof of Florida Insurance
• Bill of Sale (if purchased in last 6 months)
• All Registered Owners for Signatures
• Driver License or State Issued Photo ID
• Out of State Title: Bring Vehicle OR Form 82042

3. Out of State Title With a Lien

Please provide us with the following so that we can request your title to register your vehicle.

• Lienholder's Name
• Lien holder's Address
• Account Number
• FAX Number to the Title Department
• Current Registration

Title Information

Florida Vehicle Titles

To transfer a Florida Title, the seller must complete the transfer information on the current title, including the purchaser's name, the selling price, and the odometer reading at the time of the sale. A bill of sale may be submitted for proof of purchase price. Sales tax will be collected if applicable. All transfers of ownership must be completed within 30 days of the date the vehicle is assigned by the seller or a $20.00 fee is levied at the time of transfer.

Out of State Titles

An out-of-state title must be submitted as proof of ownership and if transfer of ownership is involved, it must be properly assigned indicating the new owner's name and address. An application for Florida Title must be completed and accompanied by verification of the Vehicle Identification Number and odometer reading (DHSMV Form 82040). The owner(s) or purchaser(s) must sign this form or give power of attorney. Sales tax will be collected if applicable.

New Vehicle Titles

All new vehicles are required to have a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) which must be completed by a licensed dealer for transfer to the buyer. To obtain a Florida title, the MCO must be filled out completely and attached to the title application form (DHSMV Form 82040). The information must include the owner's complete name and Florida address, date of birth, sex, drivers license number, a complete description of the vehicle and any lien to be recorded. Sales tax will be collected if applicable. If a license plate is being transferred onto the new vehicle, proof of insurance and registration is required.

• Motor Vehicle Forms and Files
• Have Title Printed from DHSMV

Florida Title Transfer

Have you purchased a Vehicle, Boat or Mobile Home in Florida? Below are the required items to transfer ownership of a Florida Title.

Note: Titles must be transferred within 30 days of the purchase date in order to avoid a late penalty.

Estimated Fees

• Title transfer + new plate (1-12 month registration): $380-$410
• Title transfer + transfer current plate: $90-$120

Note: Estimates do not include sales tax.

Florida Title Example

Use the numbered markers on the sample title to identify each field in the Transfer of Title by Seller section. Select a marker or scroll the list to read the description for that field.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Sample Florida Certificate of Title for illustration purposes only. Your title will reflect your vehicle’s specific information.

1. 1

   Purchaser’s Name

   The seller must print the full legal name(s) of all new owner(s).

2. 2

   Address

   Print the purchaser’s current Florida street address.

3. 3

   Selling Price

   The seller enters the full selling price of the vehicle.

4. 4

   Date Sold

   Enter the date the vehicle was sold.

5. 5

   Odometer Reading

   Enter the current mileage in whole miles at the time of sale. Do not include tenths of a mile.

6. 6

   Mileage Checkboxes

   Check one of the three boxes to certify the odometer status:

   • Reflects actual mileage
   • In excess of its mechanical limits
   • Not the actual mileage
7. 7

   Seller Signature & Printed Name

   The seller signs in cursive and prints their full legal name.

8. 8

   Co-Seller Signature & Printed Name

   Complete the co-seller lines if a second seller is listed on the title. Leave blank if there is only one seller.

9. 9

   Purchaser Signature & Printed Name

   The purchaser signs in cursive and prints their full legal name on the lines provided.

10. 10

    Co-Purchaser Signature & Printed Name

    Complete the co-purchaser lines if there is a second new owner. Leave blank if there is only one purchaser.

Registration Information

Registration and Renewal

Florida uses a metal license plate with alpha numeric letters and numbers for identification. A sticker denoting the owner's birth month and the year of expiration is placed in the upper right hand corner of the plate. License plates are to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle with the exception of certain commercial vehicles. The plate is issued to the owner for ten years. The owner will receive a new plate (with new numbers and letters) during the tenth year.

All vehicles are registered according to weight. Travel trailers and mobile homes are licensed according to length. Vehicles are registered according to the registered owner's birth month. The registration expires at midnight on the owner's birthday. Company owned vehicles and short term leased vehicles expire June 30th. Long term leased vehicles expire on the registered owner's birthday. Truck-tractors, semi-trailers, and trucks weighing over 5000 pounds expire on December 31. High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) are vehicles used to transport nine or more passengers. HOVs expire December 31st.

Proof of Insurance

Proof of current insurance (binder, policy or card) from a certified Florida agent or broker is required to purchase and renew a license plate in Florida. Insurance must be presented to the Tax Collector to include documentation of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in the amount of at least $10,000 and Protection Damage Liability (PDL) insurance in the amount of $10,000. Motorcycles, mobile homes and trailers are exempt from the insurance requirement. Commercial trucks require additional insurance.

Renewing your Registration by Mail

Reminder notices are mailed out approximately 30 days before your expiration date as a courtesy. In order to save time and money we encourage owners to renew by mail. Renewal notices are mailed by the Tax Collector as a courtesy only, late penalties and other fees will not be waived because of non receipt of a renewal notice.

Change of Address

In order to maintain accurate records, and to help ensure that each registered owner receives a renewal notice, all changes of address must be reported to the Tax Collector's Office within 20 days. The vehicle owner is required to provide the license plate number along with the address change report. It is the responsibility of each registered owner to ensure that the vehicle's registration is kept current. Notices are mailed as a courtesy service only and to help facilitate the renewal process.

Vehicle Identification Numbers

All motor vehicles being registered in Florida for the first time must have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verified. The Tax Collector's Office will perform this service at the time of registration. The VIN can also be verified by any law enforcement officer, a Florida notary public or a Florida motor vehicle dealer. All used vehicles coming into Florida from a foreign country must have the VIN verified by a DMV compliance Examiner/Inspector prior to being titled.

Rates

Annual license taxes, for the operation of motor vehicles as defined by Florida Statutes, must be paid at the time of registration and renewal. All fees are subject to change by Legislative Act.

Initial Registration Fee

A $225.00 fee must be collected when the owner does not have a license plate or record of a license plate registered in his or her name for a vehicle he or she previously owned (in Florida), to transfer to a newly acquired vehicle. Please inquire for exemptions to this rule.

Online Registration Renewals

Our office utilizes RenewExpress for your online registration renewals. For your convenience, we have outlined the associated fees below:

Options to receive by mail or in-person pickup

Renew using RenewExpress

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also has an online renewal system available. For your convenience, we have outlined the associated fees below:

Receive in the mail within 7-10 business days

Renew with a Portal account using FLHSMV MyDMV Portal

Without an account using Express Motor Vehicle Renewal

Registration Renewal Kiosk

If you need your registration fast, visit one of our kiosks and walk away with the vehicle renewal in under 2 minutes.

The kiosks are located at the following locations:

• Quesada Commons Publix at 19451 Cochran Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
• Babcock Ranch Publix at 42051 Cypress Pkwy, Babcock Ranch, FL 33982

Associated fees:

• Credit Cards Only - $3.95 per renewal plus 2.3% credit card processing fee

Registration Renewals can be processed using one of the following:

• License Plate Number AND Birthdate
• Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the renewal notice
• QR Code on the renewal notice

For more information about the kiosk visit the Florida MV Express Kiosk website.

Temporary Plate to Register a Vehicle Outside of Florida

If you are a non-resident that has purchased a Florida titled vehicle, you may need a temporary license plate to be able to transport the vehicle to your home state. The purchaser must come in to apply with proof of ID and insurance. Sales tax is required to be collected based on your state's sales tax.

The nonresident purchaser is required to complete Form DR-123, Affidavit for Partial Exemption of Motor Vehicle Sold in Florida for Licensing in Another State, declaring the intent to license the vehicle in his or her home state within 45 days of the date of purchase. The completed Form DR-123 is provided to the selling dealer or, if purchased from an individual, to the tax collector or private tag agent when purchasing a temporary tag for the vehicle. If the nonresident purchaser licenses the motor vehicle in his or her home state within 45 days from the date of purchase, there is no requirement that the motor vehicle be removed from Florida.

Complete the DR-123.

If an out of state resident purchases a motor vehicle in Florida and needs a Florida temporary license plate to drive the motor vehicle back to their home state (which is not reciprocal with Florida), what is the amount of sales tax that should be collected? The amount of sales tax due would be equivalent to the sales tax in the purchaser's state of residence (see http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/tips/tip16a01-01r.html), even if that state is not reciprocal with Florida, provided a form DR-123 is completed. However, the amount of sales tax collected from the out of state resident must NOT exceed Florida's state sales tax of six (6) percent, even if the motor vehicle was purchased from a Florida county with a discretionary sales surtax. It should be pointed out to the customer there is not a reciprocal agreement between their home state and Florida. Therefore, they would be required to pay the taxes again in their state, if their state does not allow credit for taxes paid to another state.

Specialty License Plates

Since 1987, the State of Florida has approved specialty plates for distribution. Specialty plates available include select Florida universities, professional sports teams, environmental causes, and various other miscellaneous causes. Each license plate has a special use fee that is collected at the time of purchase with a portion returned back to trust funds to benefit the organization.

To view a complete listing of all specialty plates that are currently available, the fees associated with each, and the organizations that they benefit please visit the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' website.

New specialty license plates require a pre-sale process called pre-sale vouchers. They must sell at least 3,000 (or 4,000 for out-of-state universities) vouchers before the new specialty plate will be manufactured and made available. Vouchers make great gifts. If the recipient has a Florida Driver License or Florida registration, they can receive a pre-sale voucher.

To purchase a voucher please visit https://county-taxes.net/dmv/charlotte/plates.

Authenticated License Plates

Pursuant to Florida Statute 320.086, authenticated license plates may be issued to any vehicle manufactured in 1974 or earlier and currently titled in the State of Florida. The license plate must be the same year as the model year of the car or truck. Authenticated license plates may only be issued to cars, motorcycles, and pickups weighing 5,000 pounds or less.

The license plate will be approved for issuance if it passes inspection and is still legible for law enforcement purposes. A county code or prefix does not have to match the residential county of the applicant.

The following documentation must be submitted by the applicant to the tax collector for review:

• The vehicle first must be titled in Florida in the name of the applicant
• A Florida license plate matching the year of manufacture of the vehicle
• A completed Request for Authentication of Florida License Plate Form
• Registration fees (usually $30–$60. Tax collector personnel will inform you of the exact fee upon approval)

Instructions

Drop off your authenticated license plate to a tax collector office with your completed Request for Authentication of Florida License Plate form. Be sure to write your name, email address, and a daytime phone number on the form. Tax collector personnel will contact you during business hours once the license plate has been reviewed.

Important Information

• Government license plates will not be approved for use.
• Special use license plates (example: Seminole Indian, Amateur Radio, etc.) may require additional documentation and may or may not be authorized.
• Any license plates mailed or shipped must be sent by a trackable method. The tax collector is not responsible for lost in transit plates, damaged plates, or plates left at a different branch or drop boxes.

Disabled Parking Permit

Any vehicle parked in a space labeled disabled parking is required to display a Florida Parking Placard, Disabled Veteran License Plate, or Wheelchair license plate. The placard is issued to any individual with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk or is certified as legally blind. The placard is valid for up to four years and expires on the applicant's birthday. There is no charge for a disabled placard and an additional placard may be issued to a frequent traveler or quadriplegic. Florida residents with a permanent Disabled Parking Placard may apply for a wheelchair license plate.

If your disability is temporary, you may also receive a placard for up to six months. An extension of a temporary placard may be issued at no additional cost within a 12 month period from the date of the original placard if authorized by the physician. The cost for a temporary placard is $15, regardless of how long it is issued for. Anyone receiving a temporary parking permit is not eligible to receive an additional placard.

To obtain either a permanent or temporary parking permit, applicants must fill out DHSMV Form 83039 and have it signed by their physician. For renewals only: a veteran who has been previously evaluated and certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the United States Armed Forces as permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability may provide a United States Department of Veterans Affairs Form Letter 27-333, or its equivalent, issued within the last 12 months in lieu of a certificate of disability.

Effective July 1, 2012, all replacement parking permits require DHSMV Form 83039 to be completed and signed by their certifying authority within the last 12 months.

Effective October 1, 2012, all parking permit renewals require DHSMV Form 83039 to be completed and signed by their certifying authority within the last 12 months.

For more information, please visit FLHSMV's website or contact our office.

Vehicle Record Search

Visit https://TitleCheck.us to search federal vehicle title, salvage and total loss information quickly and affordably with National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) title check reports from Auto Data Direct. Only $9.95 per report.

Military DMV Information

License Plate Renewal

• Renewal with Florida insurance may be done by mail, telephone, or online via our website.
• Renewal with out of state insurance will require an annual military insurance exemption and supporting documents including a copy of the military member's orders to be completed and mailed to the Tax Collector's office.
• Military Insurance Affidavit
• Military Members Forms Pack

Vehicle Title and Registration

• Active duty military personnel stationed in Florida may contact their nearest Tax Collector Office for title and registration assistance.
• Florida resident active duty military personnel stationed out of state may title and register a vehicle in Florida by mail. You may print a mail packet including all instructions, forms, and exemptions you may qualify for at FLHSMV's website.
• A vehicle identification number (VIN) verification is required for all out of state titled vehicles. This may be done by one of the following ways:
  • Dealership Letterhead: A licensed out of state motor vehicle dealer may provide a statement on dealer letterhead that they physically inspected the VIN. This option must include the VIN, date, and signature, along with the statement of verification.
  • Form HSMV 82042: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and Odometer Verification accurately completed by the purchaser(s), with the motor vehicle identification number verified by one of the four officials shown on the lower portion of the form.
  • Form HSMV 82040: Application for Certificate of Title with/without Registration section eight, may be used in lieu of the above listed form. Out of state VIN verification may be done by one of the following:
    • Law enforcement officer from any state.
    • Provost Marshal (an officer who supervises the military police of a command), Commissioned or warrant officer in active military service, Legalman (non-commissioned officer in the rank of E-7 or higher).

Disabled Veteran Vehicle License Plate

• An honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected 100% disability rating may apply for one free disabled veteran "DV" license plate for an owned or leased vehicle.

Military Service Related License Plates

The following special license plates may be available at an exempt or reduced specialty plate fee at the Tax Collector's office or by application to the Division of Motor Services.

*Air Force Combat Action *Air Force Cross *Combat Action Badge *Combat Action Ribbon *Combat Infantry Badge *Combat Medical Badge *Distinguished Service Cross *Florida National Guard *Former Prisoner of War *Gold Star *Korean War *Medal of Honor Recipient *Navy Cross *Navy Submariner *Operation Desert Shield *Operation Enduring Freedom *Operation Iraqi Freedom *Paralyzed Veteran of America *Pearl Harbor Survivor *Purple Heart Recipient *Silver Star *U.S. Armed Forces Reservist *Vietnam War *Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces *Woman Veteran *World War II

DMV Forms and Files

• FLHSMV Forms
  Get the most current forms from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website
• Vehicle Mail Packet
• Vessel Mail Packet
• Mobile Home Mail Packet
• Florida Title Transfer
• Military Mail Packet
• Fast Title Release Affidavit
• Miscellaneous Affidavit
• Duplicate Title Packet
• Authenticated Plate Book
• Authenticated Plate Application
• Surrender Plate Affidavit

Motor Vehicle Links

• FL Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Website
• FLHSMV MyDMV Portal
• Florida Insurance Company Code
• Contact Florida DMV