5. Your Vehicle

• 5.1. Equipment Standards
• 5.2. Bumper Height Requirements
• 5.3. Limitations on Towing
• 5.4. Anti-lock Braking
• 5.5. Bicycles
• 5.6. Mopeds
• 5.7. Vehicle Licensing
• 5.8. Study Questions

Vehicle Licensing

If you accept employment or engage in a trade, profession or occupation in Florida or if you enroll your children to be educated in a public school in Florida, the vehicle you own must have a Florida registration certificate and license plate. You must obtain the registration certificate and license plate within 20 days after beginning employment or enrollment. You also must have a Florida Certificate of Title for your vehicle, unless an out-of-state financial institution holds the title and will not release it to Florida.

Proving Ownership and Insurance Coverage

To get your license plate and registration certificate, you must prove that you own your vehicle and that you have Florida Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage for your vehicle. You must prove ownership by showing your certificate of title. You must prove PIP coverage by showing a Florida insurance identification card or other acceptable proof. The vehicle identification number (VIN) on any vehicle previously titled or registered in another state must be verified by one of several designated officials before the vehicle can be titled and registered in Florida. VIN verification is not required on any new vehicles, regardless of whether purchased in Florida or out of state, mobile homes, trailer type recreational vehicles (travel trailers, camp trailers, truck campers, and fifth wheel recreational trailers) or trailers and semitrailers with a weight of less than 2,000 pounds.

Applying For Title, License Plates and Registration

Apply for title, license plates and registration at any tax collector's office in Florida. The cost of your license plate will depend on the type and weight of your vehicle. Your vehicle must always have a current license plate and you must always have your vehicle's registration when you are driving. If you buy a vehicle from a dealer in Florida, the dealer must apply for a certificate of title, certificate of registration and license plate for you. If you buy a vehicle from an individual, you must obtain the title from the individual and apply for a certificate of title in your name. You may apply for certificate of title, certificate of registration and license plate at the same time. You cannot get a license plate until you have a title to prove that you own the vehicle. All first time driver license applicants who hold an out-of-state license should register their vehicle in Florida before a Florida driver license is issued.

Renewal

Vehicle license plates and registrations must be renewed each year, on or before the birthday of the first owner listed on the registration form. Each time you renew, you must prove that you have the required insurance, unless on file and electronically updated. You may renew by mail or through the internet at http://www.gorenew.com. Registrations expire at midnight on the birthday of the first owner listed on the registration form, except for:

• mobile homes - renew yearly by December 31.
• truck-tractors and semi-trailers - renew yearly by December 31.
• vehicles owned by companies and corporations, and some commercial vehicles - renew yearly by June 30.

For more information or assistance on motor vehicle title and registration, contact your county tax collector's office.

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