Hi All,

My wife and I moved to Fort Myers, FL last week. I am confused with the car registration process in FL. I am trying to save myself from making multiple trips so here are my questions. Please read the links below before answering. As always, thank you.

Q1. Do I need to verify my odometer reading?
Q2. To register, do I visit the Florida DMV office or the tax collector's office?

https://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/car-registration.php
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/faqmotor.html#3

Hi All,

At last, I got my FL tag. They gave me an antique plate, it's white letters on baby blue background.

As always, thank you.

Hi All,

Thank you all for your guidance, especially to aleekat. Thank you all! I went to a local DMV this morning and found out that is the local tax collector's office. I just wish that they make that clear on the internet or be consistent throughout when they are referring. For the odometer check, one of the DMV/local tax collector's staff came out for verification.

I got my FL license but not my tag. My car insurance insisted that I need to return my NY plate within one month. So they issued a card that coverage starts next month. I called my insurance company, and they released a new one with today's date. I will have to make a second trip.

As always, thank you.

Hi Steve,

Make another trip with your plate in hand is crazy. At best I would mail it to them, a friend or relative and have them drop it off.

I say this because here in California I found a plate laying on the side of the road with current valid stickers.
I took the plate into my local DMV office about 250 miles away in my county. I thought they should notify the owner about his missing plate.
I gave it to the girl and she took it from me and dropped the aluminum plate right into the can next to her.
I asked aren't you going to flag the plate or look up anything related to the plates information?
She said no, it just goes into the recycling bin.
The owner will have to buy a new replacement whenever he finds out its missing. It all works out then.
So basically it's all computer followed, the plate means nothing. It's the VIN number and title assignment that counts.

Now in Nevada the plate is owned by the owner of the car and stays with that person to be on to the next vehicle.
I had to purchase a paper permit to drive the NV car to CA. That paper permit gets placed on the front windshield.
The permit costs $21 for three days and goes up from there the longer it takes you to get the car out of state.
My plan was to drive straight home from Reno but got stopped before I made it to the state line.
The officer saw the car was missing the plate but could not see or did see the paper but pulled me over anyway!
He said that people place a piece of paper in the front because that's the directions on the back of the permit and some put it in the back window by mistake or of which, could possibly be a dead give away that something could not be right.
Basically you get stopped, so he can read it. IT WORKED! I was on the road less than an hour!

What was cute and quite funny, as he got out of the patrol car, my wife drove up behind us both in another Volvo.
He turned and took note that it was also a Volvo with a California plate.
As I rolled down the window he smiled and said, " Let me guess, you owned that one back there too."

So there are two ways that the plate doesn't matter. When it comes to insurance companies and law enforcement being linked together by computers you are found out in less than ten minutes.
That card you have is only there to make the person you have an accident with, feel better that you have insurance and a contact for them.

Since you mentioned that a tax collector is involved, does that mean that Florida has a personal property tax?
With boats and gators down there, you might have to watch out where the next bite may come from! (:-)

Phil

Hi Phil,

On the NYS DMV website, they ask you to mail it.

At least you didn't get a ticket. A few years ago, I got pulled over twice within 5 minutes. I was passing NSA in Maryland with broken rear tail light. It was midnight, and I didn't know of my failing wiring harness. The second officer was much more helpful when I showed her my ticket.

I got bitten by mosquitoes. Does that count? :-)

As always, thank you.

hi swede bak- wow that md coppa was lousy giving you a ticket for a light out at midnight especially in an old Volvo. should have given you a warning unless you were going 110 mph. regards oldduke

Hi oldduke,

I understand that was the national security matter. :-) By the way, where do you in FL?

hi swede bak- I'm in se fla in Jensen beach . doubt the 240 would go near 110 even with 3 floor pedals. remember many coppas drive v8 fords which can climb your back porch. regards oldduke

I'd be surprised that the "tioket" was any more inconvenient than an inspection request. No cost, just need to bring the car back to the police when its fixed, so they can check it off. Of course even that might be inconvenient in the midst of moving out of state. And diabolical if done to New York residents. I've never heard anyone in MD say they've actually been fined for a tail light malfunction.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

In a world without walls or fences who needs windows or gates.

You will need 3 specific types of identification in order to get your DL. Best to check the website for the requirements.

We bought a car from a neighbor and the people at the tax office verified the VIN.
Good Luck
Dan

Hi Dan,

Where in FL do you live?

1. yes (edit:) looks like only vin needs verification, odometer you fill in yourself.
2. looks like tax collection office:

Registering Your Out-of-State Vehicle
Before registering your vehicle, you'll need to:

Get a Florida driver's license.
Purchase FL auto insurance.
Have a VIN inspection and odometer reading completed.

"Once you have taken these steps, go to the Florida county tax collector's office and:"

Show your Florida driver's license. If there is more than one owner, all the owners must submit proof of identity.
Submit proof of Florida insurance.
Present the out-of-state title.
If you do not have the title because it is still held by a lienholder, the tax collector's office will help you contact the lienholder and send the new title to them.
Have your vehicle identification number (VIN) verified on the Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification form (Form HSMV 82042). Your VIN is often mistakenly referred to as a florida vehicle registration number. You may be able to have your car verified at the county tax collector's office or you can get it completed before going in to register your car from:
Any police officer.
Florida car dealers.
Car dealer from previous state on dealership letterhead.
Florida DMV examiners/inspectors.
Florida Notary Public.
Active duty military officers, provost marshal, or Navy legalman.
Submit a completed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (Form HSMV 82040). All owners must sign the form, and proof of identity is required for all owners, even if they are not present.
You are allowed to register the vehicle for either 1 year or 2 years.
Submit the completed Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification (Form HSMV 82042).
Pay all registration and tax fees (see below).
--
Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.

Hi Aleekat,

Thank you. I was so tired and needed second opinion. This really helped!!!

Before you do anything, you will need a FL driver's license and FL insurance. I don't live in FL, but have lived in a dozen or more states and they all work the same way. After getting a license, you have 30 days to register the car.

I would go to the DMV, or at least call them. They should do the VIN check there, if needed for an 1987 car. You have owned the car for more than 6 months, so no problem with the sales tax.

Remember, FL renews registration on your birthday! So if it is in 2 months or so, you will have to pay for another year then!!!
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new

Hi Klaus,

I learn something new every day. :) As always, thank you.

SB--can't help with the reg info--but best of luck with your move. -- Dave

Hi Dave,

That's fine. We will meet again. Until then, stay healthy and be well.

Contact the office of Debbie Wasserman-Shultz for the correct Legal Answer to your Question. Do not be concerned if you receive an envelope from Pakistan, with the return address AWAN or another obscure Pakistani surname. They are duly authorized by Rep. Wasserman-Shultz to assist you as a NEW CitiZen of the???? in Legally resgistering your vehicle. Please send CASH ONLY to the supplied Postal Address, albeit in Islamibad. Be assured that it will reach the proper officials and Your Volvo 1987 will be Legal to Drive in Fla.

Urs
DWS
Still not incarcerated. Register that car or YOU will be.

Hi Charles,

Can you translate? LOL

hi,
not sure what your point is, and it is not really helpful.

byron golden
86 245
92 245
94 940

i'm guessing it was a tongue in cheek dig at a democrat florida rep carpetbagger from ny state? maybe... lol ps you can also google Imran Awan.
--
'91 244 205k auto

I was too tired to understand what he was saying. :)