Florida
Vehicle Resource Center
In the land of citrus trees, Disney World, and sandy beaches, few people are taking the time to consider all that goes into being a Florida vehicle owner. Whether a person is selling a vehicle, buying one, or just maintaining what they have, it all requires work, following regular laws, and meeting state requirements. These things seem overwhelming, and they can be. That's why it's essential to have the right information available when it's needed.
Ownership and Maintenance
Owning a vehicle in Florida isn't just about making oil changes and refilling the fuel tank; it's about maintaining enough insurance to drive legally, following seatbelt laws, renewing the registration, and going through all the legal requirements each year. These things take time and effort, but most importantly, they require owners to have the right forms and information. Get all that information here to help you meet the annual statutory requirements for Florida vehicle owners.
Until 1981, safety inspections were required for all vehicles in Florida, and up until 2000, emissions tests were mandatory, but both requirements have since been removed. Today, there are no required inspections that must be performed on vehicles in Florida, and any vehicle inspections drivers have will be performed because they wanted the information.
Every vehicle with a license plate must carry proper PIP (personal injury protection) and PDL (property damage liability) insurance coverage in the state of Florida. According to state laws, vehicle owners must have $10,000 in PIP and $10,000 in PDL to drive on the road without risking receiving a fine if pulled over. Being found without the proper insurance coverage can result in a license suspension and a $500 reinstatement fee.
Although Florida is a no-fault state, and all drivers involved in an accident will have their insurance relied upon to pay the damages, there is still a risk of having to pay for damages that aren't covered if the injuries or property damage is very severe. In Florida, vehicle accident fault is still determined, and any costs for the damages and injuries from the accident can be placed on the at-fault driver if the total insurance coverage is not enough to cover all the costs. This is why many drivers in Florida opt to purchase more comprehensive insurance policies.
Vehicle owners with current loans on the vehicles may also be required to purchase a comprehensive collision policy that covers the loan vehicle repairs as well as any accident repairs. To learn more about all the Florida car insurance requirements, visit this informational page from the government for specifics about the penalties, legal definitions, and self-insurance options.
Every Floridian must renew their registration and vehicle tags on a regular basis. Vehicle registrations can be renewed for one or two years, and tags (or license plates) are renewed every 10 years. Failing to follow these requirements makes it illegal to drive on public roads throughout the state and can result in a license suspension, fines, and tickets.
New Residents Get 10 Days to Swap Tags and Registration
Any out-of-state individuals who move to Florida are expected to switch to a Florida license plate or tag and to establish the vehicle's registration within the state. All these tasks can be completed at a nearby location within your county or via a local kiosk. Some registration tasks can be completed online as well as at MyEasyGov. Visit this page for more details about registering a vehicle and managing tags.
Meeting legal requirements is an essential part of vehicle ownership, but so is caring for your vehicle and having any open recalls repaired. Drivers should consider using the GoodCar VIN check tool or the license plate report tool to get vehicle history information, data about any title brands associated with a car, open recall information, past accident data, and more. All this additional data makes caring for the vehicle simpler, and it costs very little.
Buying & Selling
Before buying or selling a vehicle in Florida, it's essential to understand how title transfers work, how to update registration information, and how to get information about a vehicle before making a purchase.
There is a pack of paperwork available at this Pasco Florida link that gathers all the required information to transfer the title and registration of a vehicle during the sale of the vehicle. This process is essential after purchasing a vehicle.
When going through this paperwork, the buyer must show all of the following:
By filling out this paperwork and providing the necessary documents and fee payments, buyers can quickly transfer the license plates, title, and registration of a vehicle into their name after making a purchase.
All the FL Document Fees
Before purchasing a vehicle, interested Florida buyers can run a VIN report or License Plate Report from GoodCar to learn important details about the history of the vehicle. The report includes title brands, past owners, odometer information, past accidents, vehicle features and specifications as well as any open recalls. Buyers should use this data to choose the right vehicle to purchase.
Buying or selling a vehicle in Florida isn't difficult when using the proper paperwork. Every buyer should do thorough research on the vehicle before making the purchase, and filing the necessary paperwork after the purchase protects the buyer from potential fees, tickets, and fraud.
Laws and Regulations
There are many automotive laws that impact drivers and vehicle owners in the state of Florida. Understanding seat belt laws, driver's license regulations, window tint, and other legal regulations will help drivers stay safe and avoid fines or license suspensions.
0-2 Years Old - Rear-facing car seats should be used.
2-4 Years Old - Forward-facing car seats with a 5-point harness are the minimum option.
4-5 Years Old - A booster seat is acceptable if a child outgrows a forward-facing car seat, but forward-facing seats should still be used if the child is small enough.
Less than 4'9" - Children under 4'9" should remain in a booster seat to keep them located at the proper level. Once they surpass the height, they can rely on the vehicle's built-in seat belt.
Drivers and Passengers Over 18 are Responsible
Any drivers and passengers over the age of 18 in a vehicle are held responsible for buckling themselves. If they are without a safety belt, they can be fined by a police officer. If any passengers under the age of 18 are without a proper safety restraint, the driver of the vehicle will be fined for them.
Getting windows tinted is an excellent way to protect against interior fade and wear from UV rays, keep your vehicle cooler in warm climates, and improve personal privacy, but there are restrictions on the type of tint that can be applied to vehicles in Florida.
According to recent laws, front and side windows in all vehicles must have a VLT (visible light transmittance) of 28%. Rear car and truck windows can have a VLT of 15% for a darker tint and more privacy, and the rear windows in SUVs and Vans can be as dark as a 6% VLT legally.
Tints darker than the approved values can lead to tickets, and some law enforcement agencies could demand that the tint be removed if it's too dark.
With an understanding of these common FL automotive laws, it's easy to avoid unexpected tickets, attain a license effectively, and stay safer in different driving conditions.
Buyers obtaining new vehicles or who have not been on the road for more than 24 months after their delivery to the initial owner are protected by Florida's Lemon Law. This special law protects buyers against vehicles sold with major defects that cause them to perform poorly or to be unsafe to drive. These defects are known as "nonconformities" under Florida law. If the vehicle is new enough and suffers from major defects, it may be possible to get the manufacturer to buy the vehicle back under specific conditions according to state law.
The Lemon Law may be a solution if:
If either of these conditions are met for vehicle defects that are serious enough, it's possible to pursue compensation through the Lemon Law.
A Florida automotive attorney can explain how to go through arbitration through Chapter 681 under the Florida Statutes and how to go through the civil court if arbitration does not work.
Floridians are better off when they know about the Lemon Law because they can seek compensation when they purchase a new vehicle that proves to be unreliable or poorly made.
To learn more about the Florida Lemon Law, view this link.
Everyone interested in obtaining an FL driver's license must go through a series of steps that include supplying documentation, passing vision and hearing tests, demonstrating their knowledge of FL driving laws, and passing a driving skills test.
Interested residents must pass each step in the following order to earn a Class A driver's license.
Minors Must Do the Following As Well
As well as the steps listed above, minors under 18 have some extra steps to go through.
After completing the additional steps listed above and going through all the standard steps, minors can obtain a full Class A Florida driver's license.
More specific details about the driver's license process can be obtained on this Florida state information page.
Useful Things to Know
Florida residents can benefit from these additional resources.
Driver License and Vehicle Service Center Locations
Most Florida driver's licenses, plates, and registration needs can be handled online, but some tasks must still be completed in person. Use this directory page to locate nearby Driver's License and Vehicle Service Center Locations by county: License and Service Center Locations Directory
FL EV Charging Station Locations
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular each year, and all the drivers in EVs need access to public charging stations at times while driving for longer distances. This is an excellent reason to familiarize yourself with an EV charging station directory. Use the directory below to quickly find nearby stations: EV Charging Station Directory
Florida Vehicle Crash Statistics
In Florida in 2021, there were approximately 3,451 fatal car accidents, according to the IIHS. The accidents occur at a rate of 1.72 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, making Florida one of the most dangerous states to drive in. There are also hundreds of thousands of non-fatal accidents each year. With so many accidents occurring throughout the state, it's important to understand what type of vehicles are crashing most, the riskiest driving conditions, and other statistics surrounding the accidents. Get the full picture with Florida car crash statistics on GoodCar.
Get the Latest Florida Vehicle Information with GoodCar
Florida vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN Check and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.