Auto Registration Fees - Is This High?

[Mike3461]

Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)

[dewilson58]

Tags & Registration - Randy Mask - Sumter County Tax Collector (https://www.sumtertaxcollector.com/auto.html)

[Bill14564]

Sounds very high. According to various websites, an initial registration is $225 and transfers are only about $80.

Perhaps tax on the purchase of the vehicle is included in the $575? Though it would then seem a little low.

A $500 "because I can charge it and you'll pay it" fee?

[Mike3461]

Sounds very high. According to various websites, an initial registration is $225 and transfers are only about $80.

Perhaps tax on the purchase of the vehicle is included in the $575? Though it would then seem a little low.

A $500 "because I can charge it and you'll pay it" fee?


Thank you. Sales tax in not included in the $578. I'm waiting for the dealer to respond to my request for a detailed breakdown of the $578 charge. I want to know how much of that goes to the state.

[Stu from NYC]

Seems high but do not remember what we paid 6 months ago.

[retiredguy123]

As an individual fee, it's too high. It should be about $80 to transfer a registration or about $225 for a new registration. But, the only thing that matters is the "out-the-door" price which should include the sales tax, registration, tags, title, and other fees. Whenever you engage in a discussion about individual line items with a car dealer, you will lose money. That is their game and you cannot win it.

[retiredguy123]

OP, if you haven't already agreed to buy the car, I would suggest that you use kbb.com and edmunds.com to calculate a fair price for the car, including all taxes and fees. Calculate the taxes and fees based on the Florida DMV website. Then, you will know what the car is worth. If the dealer is ripping you off on the registration fee, he is also ripping you off on other items.

[MrFlorida]

Changing title to Florida and registered for two years cost me $500. Sounds about right.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Switching registration and transfers for new registration in Florida costs extra. Renewing existing registration with no transfers is $225.

[Number 10 GI]

Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)

Look over your sales contract, it should list all the expenses you have to pay. Most dealerships have processing fees and a fee for handling the licensing of the vehicle that can add up to a pretty good amount.

[Stu from NYC]

Changing title to Florida and registered for two years cost me $500. Sounds about right.

Paid the title fee via dealer and it was rather high. Forgot about that

[Topspinmo]

Silly me, I thought license transfer was done at state and country tax collection sites?

[mambeg]

They probably added on a dealership service fee, for obtaining the tags, & registration.

[noslices1]

Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)

I paid $125.00 in registration fees when I traded in and purchased a new car from DeLuca. My tags were good through November, 2022. I think they told me any excess they charged would be returned after the registration was paid to the state, but don’t remember getting a refund check.

[Footer]

We bought a used RDX from Lexus of Orlando last summer. They charged nothing for documentation fee and the title and registration fee was at cost, a couple hundred. For a similar car at Plaza Lincoln they were charging $900 for documentation fee and around $500 for title and registration. The $578 from your dealer includes extra markup. The actual cost is not that high.

[Petersweeney]

No state income tax but they should call it incoming state tax….they really get you when you transfer registrations

[garylubbes]

Florida car dealers are notorious for adding fees on top of fees. If you’ve already bought, closed and paid there’s most likely nothing you can do about it. The state allows dealers to collect all license and transfer fees as well as sales tax so as previously mentioned you can only compare the “out the door” price if you’re buying a new car that has a sticker price that you can compare bottom line from one dealer to another.

[Bay Kid]

Just bought a new car in Virginia this week. The dealership charged $799. PROCESSING FEE, plus $93. DEALERS BUSINESS LIC.,, plus $58. LICENSE FEE, plus $10. TITLE FEE, plus $17. OUT/State Filing FEE (I live in VA).
Highway robbery.

[sborlove]

Florida is a difference state and you only pay tax on the difference between the sales price and the trade in value. That tax is 6% and depending on where in Florida you live there may be an added municipal tax added in. The Villages area does not have that added tax burden. Registration and transfer fee are additional to that tax. Usually around $225 and $80.

If your dealer is charging you a processing fee....this fee is truly only a profit maker and adds to the gross of profit for the Dealership. A lot of dealers do not charge the fee in Florida and I suggest you find a dealer that doesn't charge it when purchasing a new vehicle.

The other best option is to collect all your paperwork and go to the DMV yourself. You will find the staff do be friendly and helpful. They will guide you through the process. You can even call to find out exactly what information you will need to complete your paperwork. Have done this numerous times and find the staff extremely helpful.

[deanjohnson]

Most I’ve ever paid but CA was high when I was there 20 years ago so I’m sure it is was higher now.

[richs631]

Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)

Your dealer is ripping you off

[Shoogley]

New tag and temporary drivers license till 2023…..$440.00

[Altavia]

Your dealer is ripping you off

$575 for me with dealer fees recently.

Seller's market at this point in time for many vehicles. They had six back up buyers by the time I picked up a vehicle purchased as it arrived at the dock. At least they didn't apply a $10K markup other dealers are doing.

On the other hand, Carvanna paid my full purchase price on a vehicle purchased 2 years ago.

[Warren]

Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)

Yes, but there is no state income taxes. Any transaction you do in FL., the fees are high,......but there is no state income tax. There is no free lunch. Stop buying any thing and you have a very low cost of living in FL.

[retiredguy123]

Look over your sales contract, it should list all the expenses you have to pay. Most dealerships have processing fees and a fee for handling the licensing of the vehicle that can add up to a pretty good amount.
The only number you need to look at on the sales contract is the out-the-door price at the bottom. You need to do research and know what that number should be before you go to a dealership. I don't care what fees or other charges the dealer lists on the contract, as long as the bottom line matches up with what the car is worth.

[OhioBuckeye]

Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)
Don’t know where you come from but wait until you have a fender bender, & you find out Florida car Ins. is a NO FAULT STATE, unless you came from a state with no fault. We live in Texas & we’re no fault here too. We’re originally from Ohio & when you have a wreck there the person that caused the wreck pays. I think no fault is a money gouging money pit for the Ins. Company. Personally I don’t like this kind of Ins.

[me4vt]

That’s a fair price for Village People! It’s because of the Villages that it’s high anyhow😉




Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)

[Lil GTO]

Silly me, I thought license transfer was done at state and country tax collection sites?

That’s where the dealer takes them and picks them up then calls the customer to let them know that they’re available for pick up is some dealers will mail them.

[Lil GTO]

Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)

It is advisable to go over the contract line item by line item and question anything you’re not sure about before you sign the contract.

Just keep in mind that the dealer has to take your signed application and power of attorney to the tax collectors office along with the title of your trade pay them then wait for all of that to return them file them and notify you that they are available go pick up.

Until Covid they could even mail them to you.

All of this takes people power and people don’t work for free.

[The Caretaker]

That includes property taxes on your car. Has to be paid when you transfer or purchase tags

[New Englander]

Have any of you bought a new or used car in FLA and transferred your FLORIDA registration and tags from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, which will be purchased from a Florida dealer.?

My dealer charges $578 for license and registration fee.

Sounds high to me. What did you pay? Thank you.

(P.S. This question doesn't apply to bringing in an out of state car.)

Could you name the dealership?

[sallyg]

We paid about that when we moved to Fl. It was a shock. Considerably higher than what we had ever paid in our home state.

[kkingston57]

Sounds very high. According to various websites, an initial registration is $225 and transfers are only about $80.

Perhaps tax on the purchase of the vehicle is included in the $575? Though it would then seem a little low.

A $500 "because I can charge it and you'll pay it" fee?

Do not know but do believe that dealer is charging you for their time and expense(with a huge mark up) to actually do the transfer.

[kkingston57]

Don’t know where you come from but wait until you have a fender bender, & you find out Florida car Ins. is a NO FAULT STATE, unless you came from a state with no fault. We live in Texas & we’re no fault here too. We’re originally from Ohio & when you have a wreck there the person that caused the wreck pays. I think no fault is a money gouging money pit for the Ins. Company. Personally I don’t like this kind of Ins.

Need to check with your insurance agent(florida). I was in the biz.

If you are in an accident, the driver or owner of the car which caused the accident is responsible for the property damages to your vehicle. If you are injured in the same accident your own auto policy(PIP sectiion of the policy) pays your medical bills and lost wages up to 10K. If you have serious injuries, consult with an attorney and they can explain how NO Fault works in Florida. It can get complicated. There are many un insured/underinsured drivers in Florida.

[Sandy and Ed]

That’s a fair price for Village People! It’s because of the Villages that it’s high anyhow😉
HUH??? What does this post really mean?? Just another general negative post about The Villages Community??

[VApeople]

the only thing that matters is the "out-the-door" price which should include the sales tax, registration, tags, title, and other fees. Whenever you engage in a discussion about individual line items with a car dealer, you will lose money. That is their game and you cannot win it.

I hope many other people read and understand your advice.

I started making OTD offers in 1995 and it has made car-buying a very enjoyable experience.

[Mike3461]

Could you name the dealership?

Jenkins Nissan of Leesburg

[Mike3461]

Thanks for all replies I will only do business with dealers that do registration fees that are not artificially inflated.

[Mosells]

First time registration of a car in Florida charge a one time higher fee. So I was told by the state registrar when I purchased a used car in Florida. I was from out of state with no Florida driver license. She asked if I ever had registered a car in Florida I told I a registered a car in 1958. She said their records didn’t go back that far and if I could produce the registration she could waive the fee. Well, I forgot I may need the registration in 2020, and tossed when I sold the car. That’s a long explanation that you’re screwed.