Florida New Resident Vehicle Guide

If you’ve just moved to Florida, welcome to the Sunshine State! Subaru South Tampa is here to walk new Florida residents of Wesley Chapel, St. Petersburg, and the greater Tampa metropolitan area through the steps they need to take in order to register their out-of-state vehicle. We’ll walk you through: 

• How to complete the Florida vehicle registration process
• What Florida car registration fees to expect
• How to transfer a driver’s license from out of state
• And how to get a new Florida driver’s license 

Once you’re done reading, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have further questions, or if your vehicle needs a tune-up. 

Steps of the Florida Vehicle Registration Process

If you establish residency, secure employment, or put your child in a Florida school, you’ll have exactly 10 days to complete the Florida vehicle registration process. Here are the steps new Florida residents must take: 

• Collect proof of identity, whether that’s your birth certificate or passport. You’ll also need to gather proof of Florida insurance and your vehicle’s title.
• Once you’ve gathered your documents, you will need to fill out an application for a Certificate of Title with/without Registration. 
• After you’ve filled out the form and collected your docs, head to the nearest DMV in the county you just moved, submit the application, show them your proofs, and pay the Florida car registration fees, which should amount to $225. 
• In exchange, you’ll receive license plates, which you’ll want to affix to your vehicle immediately—don’t forget to bring a flathead screwdriver! 
• You’ll also receive a Florida vehicle registration certificate, which you should put in your glove box.
• Finally, you’ll get a registration sticker. Place it in the upper right-hand corner of your license plate.

How to Get a Florida Driver’s License If You Already Have a License

If you are a new Florida resident, you need to obtain a Florida license plate within 30 days. There’s no road or written test, but you should be prepared for a vision test. To transfer your out-of-state driver’s license, just follow these steps: 

• Bring your license, a birth certificate and passport (two proofs) to your local DMV. 
• Give them your license and take a vision test. 
• Once you pass the test, you’ll receive your new license! 

Have Questions About the Florida Vehicle Registration Process? 

If you have any questions about how to get a Florida driver’s license or how to register your vehicle, new Florida residents can call Subaru South Tampa for help at 866-941-2206. If you happen to need a local service center you can trust to keep your model in tip-top shape for years to come at competitive prices, we can also help! While you’re here, be sure to explore our service tips for helpful reads about our Subaru maintenance program and the Subaru warranty!