FL Drivers License

[Army Guy]

Ok, we have finally set the date to fully retire and become full-time residents of TV. Now, here is my question, being Army for 31 years, I am a planner and like doing things ahead of time so as not to have to rush on the day of execution! We will become full-timers during this summer. We want to change our Driver's License's and Voter Registration over from Alabama to Florida when on leave for a week in Feb. What is the FL law on how long you can drive a car tagged in another state after getting a FL license, and also what do you have to do when you transfer drivers licenses? Reason being our Alabama car tags run out in April, so would like to transfer them to FL then. Also when you sell a car in FL or buy a new one, do you keep the same plates? We are wanting to have personalized and want to know if they carry over from car to car.
Thank-you!
Army Guy

[Taltarzac]

Ok, we have finally set the date to fully retire and become full-time residents of TV. Now, here is my question, being Army for 31 years, I am a planner and like doing things ahead of time so as not to have to rush on the day of execution! We will become full-timers during this summer. We want to change our Driver's License's and Voter Registration over from Alabama to Florida when on leave for a week in Feb. What is the FL law on how long you can drive a car tagged in another state after getting a FL license, and also what do you have to do when you transfer drivers licenses? Reason being our Alabama car tags run out in April, so would like to transfer them to FL then. Also when you sell a car in FL or buy a new one, do you keep the same plates? We are wanting to have personalized and want to know if they carry over from car to car.
Thank-you!
Army Guy

These may help. http://www.flhsmv.gov/dhsmv/newflres.html http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/faqmotor.html

[skip0358]

First good for you and welcome. Here is the Fl. DMV web site www.flhsmv.gov once we became Fl. residents. Once you get Fl. tags you can transfer from Veh to Veh. We had to surrender our NY plates to NY DMV. Good luck and make sure you have all your paperwork when you go. We went to the DMV office on 301 in Wildwood it was pretty easy. Just bring lots of money.

[Bryan]

A couple of words of advice. First, find your Social Security Cards (the real ones, not copies) and take them with you. Second, you can make an appointment at DMV over the phone. Make an appointment before you go. It can save you literally hours of waiting in line. Third, take multiple forms of ID (passport, military ID, etc.) and also take a few utility bills with your Florida address on them. Sometimes this stuff is needed, sometimes not. Having them with you is best - just in case.

[Army Guy]

Great, thank-you all. I am beginning to look at the sites and will definitely bring all forms of ID and residence proof.

Army Guy

[krash]

You will both need your original birth certificates, and your wife will need to show your original marriage license to show the name change. The DMV are sticklers.... they require these as Florida now follows the latest laws due to terrorism. Provided you have all the required documents, its a breeze. But if you don't have them.... they'll send you on your way sans license. Do check out the DMV link to get all the info.

[Army Guy]

You will both need your original birth certificates, and your wife will need to show your original marriage license to show the name change. The DMV are sticklers.... they require these as Florida now follows the latest laws due to terrorism. Provided you have all the required documents, its a breeze. But if you don't have them.... they'll send you on your way sans license. Do check out the DMV link to get all the info.

Really, even marriage license?

Army Guy

[Talk Host]

It's my understanding that your initial Florida plate is going to cost you $225. I thought it was higher than that, but the info at the state says "new wheels" fee is $225.

That's for each car.

[billethkid]

of your vehicles. Foe example let's say you have a vehicle at your home in FL that if I remember correctly needs to be registered in FL within 30 days. But if you have a car in AL there is no need to change it's registration until it is officially moved to the FL home. We had a car in our home state for a couple of years before moving it to FL....even drove it to FL a few times but did not change the registration until we brought it here permanently.

btk

[Army Guy]

of your vehicles. Foe example let's say you have a vehicle at your home in FL that if I remember correctly needs to be registered in FL within 30 days. But if you have a car in AL there is no need to change it's registration until it is officially moved to the FL home. We had a car in our home state for a couple of years before moving it to FL....even drove it to FL a few times but did not change the registration until we brought it here permanently.

btk

Thanks, that would be great cause that is what we would like to do. It would be for about 4-5 months.

Army Guy

[under55]

The big drawback to not getting your Florida plates is the Homestead exemption without the Florida Plates I don't think you can get the exemption this year. But you may not really need it if you just bought the home your taxes won't be much next year anyway.

[logdog]

A couple of words of advice. First, find your Social Security Cards (the real ones, not copies) and take them with you.

Don't worry about the Social Security card, your military ID card is sufficient. I haven't seen my SSAN card in decades. Marriage license is required for the wife to establish surname change (assuming she didn't keep her maiden name). If she was previously married, she would need to show documentation for that name change also. This is all in addition to the other documentation mentioned in this post.

[golfnut]

For your DL I recommend the DMV on 441 south of 466 just north of the Microtel, for title and plates go the the DMV annex at the corner of 466 and Morse. First time title and plates runs around $400, DL $48....gn

[Ohiogirl]

just did this last week - titled car in Florida and got plate (temporary, that is) and got Florida drivers' licenses. You can do it all now at the same place - the Sumter County annex (with the gold dome) on 466A. Go to the website. Not sure if you can go there if you are not in Sumter County - the website might say.

We have valid passports and my married (and divorced) name was on it - didn't need to show divorce decree or marriage license. I had my social security card, but Ohioboy's was still in Ohio in his safe deposit box. He was able to use a W-2 form (and there were several other acceptable choices).

The website is very clear. And the charge for one car - title and plates - was right around $400. The drivers' licenses were about $110 more (2 of them, valid for 8 or 9 years in our case - I think it depends on your age as over 80 I think you have to take a drivers' test every so often. Renewal fee for your car every year depends on the weight of your car.

You must have Florida drivers' licenses to apply for the homestead exemption, so get those first. We had to apply for the homestead exemption at the Sumter County Sheriff annex at Morse and 466.

[chuckinca]

For your DL I recommend the DMV on 441 south of 466 just north of the Microtel, for title and plates go the the DMV annex at the corner of 466 and Morse. First time title and plates runs around $400, DL $48....gn



What a rip-off:

In Feb 2008 we got title and plates for $100; DL for $25.25/ea (like the song).


.

[iandwk]

Here's the website we were advised to use. Getting a DL in Florida requires more documentation than most states. Their website is www.GatherGoGet.com.

We followed the directions given on the site and only had to make one trip to the DMV.

[Army Guy]

Wow! Thank-you all! You have made this too easy except it looks like even though I have an Alabama Motorcycle license and took the Experienced Riders Course I still have to go back and take the basic course to get an FL one, bummer!

Army Guy

[Ohiogirl]

There is also available (in Florida) an AARP course that will reduce your Florida insurance rates if you are 50 or older (at least for cars, don't know about motorcycles) I think by 5%. It is 2 mornings in the same week, not sure how many hours. We are signed up in January. $12 each for AARP members, $14 for non-members. Info is always in the back of the weekly Recreation News (also available online).

Florida insurance rates are about double what they were in Columbus, OH, but I guess it's all relative. Someone we met from NY said they couldn't believe how cheap the rates were here!

[MelZ]

Really, even marriage license?

Army Guy

If you have current passports you don't need to show a birth certificate or marriage license.

[zcaveman]

There is also available (in Florida) an AARP course that will reduce your Florida insurance rates if you are 50 or older (at least for cars, don't know about motorcycles) I think by 5%. It is 2 mornings in the same week, not sure how many hours. We are signed up in January. $12 each for AARP members, $14 for non-members. Info is always in the back of the weekly Recreation News (also available online).

Florida insurance rates are about double what they were in Columbus, OH, but I guess it's all relative. Someone we met from NY said they couldn't believe how cheap the rates were here!

I took the course back in 2003. The reduction was only good for three years and then they wanted me to take the AARP course again. Once was enough.