Car Title

[Bob45]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?

[retiredguy123]

If someone is renting full time in Florida, they are required to have a Florida drivers license. You are only allowed to live in Florida for 30 days before getting a Florida license.

[villagetinker]

I suggest you go to the FL DMV at Pinellas Plaza (copper topped building) and ask your question there, as there will be other requirements that need to be met, and you will get the correct answers as well as being able to complete your task in one stop. As i recall there is a fee for bringing a car into FL, a few hundred dollars.

[Kelevision]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?

If they live here full time they should get a FL Drivers license, FL auto insurance and then they can transfer the title to FL.

[Altavia]

Agree with Villagetinker, the people at that DMV are very nice and helpful.

[JRcorvette]

If someone is renting full time in Florida, they are required to have a Florida drivers license. You are only allowed to live in Florida for 30 days before getting a Florida license.

I could be wrong but I believe your 30 days is not correct. Many snowbirds are here for 4-6 months.

[MrFlorida]

I could be wrong but I believe your 30 days is not correct. Many snowbirds are here for 4-6 months.

If you are in Florida for more than 30 days, you must have a rider on your car insurance for Florida... you don't have to have a FL DL, but FL insurance is a must. Check out the MV website for the correct information.

[retiredguy123]

I could be wrong but I believe your 30 days is not correct. Many snowbirds are here for 4-6 months.
This is from the Florida DMV website,:

"You may be considered a resident of Florida when you:

Have started employment or engaged in a trade, profession, or occupation in this state.
Have enrolled your children in the public schools of this state.
Have registered to vote in this state.
Have filed for homestead tax exemption on property in this state.
Have lived in this state for a period of more than six consecutive months.

As a new Florida resident, you must obtain a valid Florida driver license within 30 days of establishing residency to drive on Florida roads. In addition, you must obtain insurance from a Florida insurance agent that is licensed to sell insurance in Florida in order to title and register your vehicle(s), vessel(s), and mobile home(s) within 10 days of establishing residency."

A lot of snowbirds are in violation of this law, especially if they are claiming to be Florida residents.

[Bill14564]

This is from the Florida DMV website,:

"You may be considered a resident of Florida when you:

Have started employment or engaged in a trade, profession, or occupation in this state.
Have enrolled your children in the public schools of this state.
Have registered to vote in this state.
Have filed for homestead tax exemption on property in this state.
Have lived in this state for a period of more than six consecutive months.

As a new Florida resident, you must obtain a valid Florida driver license within 30 days of establishing residency to drive on Florida roads. In addition, you must obtain insurance from a Florida insurance agent that is licensed to sell insurance in Florida in order to title and register your vehicle(s), vessel(s), and mobile home(s) within 10 days of establishing residency."

A lot of snowbirds are in violation of this law, especially if they are claiming to be Florida residents.

Snowbirds claiming to be Florida residents, yes. People staying four months, no.

You may be considered a Florida resident when you have lived in this state for a period of more than six consecutive months. At that point, after six months, you have ten days to obtain insurance and register your vehicle. Also at the six month point you have 30 days to obtain a valid Florida license.

[retiredguy123]

Snowbirds claiming to be Florida residents, yes. People staying four months, no.

You may be considered a Florida resident when you have lived in this state for a period of more than six consecutive months. At that point, after six months, you have ten days to obtain insurance and register your vehicle. Also at the six month point you have 30 days to obtain a valid Florida license.
A snowbird is not allowed to drive a vehicle in Florida for 4 months without having a Florida insurance policy, even if they are not Florida residents. There are several websites that explain this and other laws that affect snowbirds. This is the part of the Florida law that many snowbirds are violating. Google it.

According to insurance.com:

"If you spend more than 90 days of the year in Florida, you will need to register and insure your car there."

From James Horne Law:

"Any individual who drives in Florida for more than 90 days out of a 365-day calendar year must purchase PIP and liability auto insurance in Florida. Notably, the 90 days do not have to be consecutive; any non-resident driver driving their vehicle within the state for 90 or more days out of the year is required to obtain PIP coverage, regardless of whether they are legally a Florida resident. Insurance can deny claims for property damage, medical benefits, and general liability if they find you have been driving your car in Florida for 90 or more days out of the year.:

[Bill14564]

A snowbird is not allowed to drive a vehicle in Florida for 4 months without having a Florida insurance policy, even if they are not Florida residents. There are several websites that explain this and other laws that affect snowbirds. This is the part of the Florida law that many snowbirds are violating. Google it.

According to insurance.com:

"If you spend more than 90 days of the year in Florida, you will need to register and insure your car there."

From James Horne Law:

"Any individual who drives in Florida for more than 90 days out of a 365-day calendar year must purchase PIP and liability auto insurance in Florida. Notably, the 90 days do not have to be consecutive; any non-resident driver driving their vehicle within the state for 90 or more days out of the year is required to obtain PIP coverage, regardless of whether they are legally a Florida resident. Insurance can deny claims for property damage, medical benefits, and general liability if they find you have been driving your car in Florida for 90 or more days out of the year.:

That may very well be so, but not by the explanation of Florida residency you quoted in a previous post.

[retiredguy123]

That may very well be so, but not by the explanation of Florida residency you quoted in a previous post.
It is confusing, but the requirement to obtain a drivers license applies to new Florida residents. But, the 90-day insurance law applies to everyone who drives a vehicle in Florida, residents and non-residents. A snowbird, who stays in The Villages for 4 or 5 months every year, is required to buy a Florida auto insurance policy. But, I think that many (not all) snowbirds ignore the insurance law.

[jimhoward]

Draw the distinction between the car and you. If you are an Ohio resident, generally because you spend most of your time in Ohio, then keep your Ohio driver's license. But if you are a full time renter, then you are probably a Florida resident.

You should register the car in the state in which it is principally garaged independent of the state in which you are a resident. You could easily keep a car that you own at a vacation home in a foreign state.

[CarlR33]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?I know for Ohio you can renew online and have it mailed to your out of state address but you may have to call Ohio and ask what happens if you happen to be on vacation the next few months out of state?

[retiredguy123]

I know for Ohio you can renew online and have it mailed to your out of state address but you may have to call Ohio and ask what happens if you happen to be on vacation the next few months out of state?
Yes, but apparently some counties require an emissions inspection that needs to be done in person before you can order the registration renewal. This cannot be done from out-of-state. You need to actually take the vehicle to an inspection station within the state. It is called E-check.

[Decadeofdave]

I transfered my Ohio car to Florida. You don't need a florida license just a Florida address.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?

The tl;dr of all the posts following the OP, is:

it doesn't matter if it's 30 days or 6 months or 4 months or whatever. The OP says the person is renting FULL TIME in Florida. That means they are no longer an Ohio resident. They're a Florida resident. They need a Florida drivers license, and they need to transfer their title and registration to Florida, and get it insured with the new address.

[Dusty_Star]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?

Yes. The car can be registered in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license. It will cost a few hundred dollars, & the owner must have the title to the car. The title & the VIN on the car must match. The car/owner must have Florida car insurance. The following is from the Sumter County website. Is the owner renting in Sumter County?

To register your vehicle in Florida we will need the following:

All registered owners must be present. If one or more registered owner is not able to be present in the office, this packet or this form will need to be completed, with original signatures
Photo identification- State issued driver's license or ID card for each registered owner
Original out of state title (If you have a lien on your vehicle you will need to ask for a letter of request from our office to have the title released to us for registration)
Proof of FLORIDA insurance through a FLORIDA agent; (a card, policy or binder will need to be shown in office)
The vehicle for VIN verification weather permitting, or a completed form HSMV 82042
Bill of sale if vehicle has been purchased within the last six (6) months

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

[spubear2]

What I have done when I needed to register or renew a car's license and the location of the car was in another state, was to go to the police station and they will fill out a form. Call your DMV in the state you are registering it and they will tell you how you can do things so you don't have to drive it back there

[Pachine58]

You can get an exemption for 6 months on the echeck. I had to do this too.

https://epa.ohio.gov/static/Portals/27/echeck/docs/Extension_Exemption10-12.pdf
——————-
Ohio residents can apply for license plates by mail by sending a completed application and required documents to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The BMV will mail the license plates to the address provided on the application.

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 1844-644-6268

[Romad]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?

A car here full-time needs to be registered and insured in Florida. The drivers do not need to have Florida driver's licenses. It's not just Florida. It's all about where the car is parked, not the driver. Failure to register the car properly could be considered insurance fraud.

[Topspinmo]

I could be wrong but I believe your 30 days is not correct. Many snowbirds are here for 4-6 months.

Just had post on this 182 days, then considered resident more than 1/2 the year.

[DrHitch]

Assume 60 -90 day snowbirds do not have to get a Florida driver's license? Can't find evidence of this....

If someone is renting full time in Florida, they are required to have a Florida drivers license. You are only allowed to live in Florida for 30 days before getting a Florida license.

[DrHitch]

It's stated as being required for 6 months or longer at [url=http://www.flhsmv.gov]

[sad_sack]

Ohio hasn't required the e-check in years.

[Bill14564]

Assume 60 -90 day snowbirds do not have to get a Florida driver's license? Can't find evidence of this....

Best answer is to call or visit a FL DMV office.

My understanding is you get a Florida DL *ONLY* when you establish Florida as your primary residence where you intend to live and vote.

You *can* get a Florida DL as soon as you have the required proof of Florida residency
You *must* get a Florida DL if you remain in the state more than 183 days

Vehicle registration and insurance requirements are different. There are several sites that vehicles must carry Florida insurance and be registered in Florida if they are used in the state more than 30 days. Oddly, I have not yet been able to find that on the FLHSMV site.

[retiredguy123]

It's stated as being required for 6 months or longer at [url=http://www.flhsmv.gov]
See Post No. 8. Also, from the website you cited, it says:

"As a new Florida resident, you must obtain a valid Florida driver license within 30 days of establishing residency to drive on Florida roads."

I admit that the rules are somewhat confusing, but apparently this is the rule for new Florida residents. A snowbird may or may not claim to be a Florida resident. If they are a Florida resident, they need a Florida driver's license to drive on Florida roads, and they must obtain it within 30 days of becoming a resident. If a snowbird is a non-resident, they do not need a Florida driver's license, but, if they drive a vehicle for more than 90 days (non-consecutive) in Florida during the year, they must purchase a Florida insurance policy from a Florida insurance agent. If a person resides in Florida for more than 6 months, the state can declare them to be a resident and require them to get a Florida driver's license.

[1golfergal]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?
no that isn't possible.

[Priebehouse]

It is confusing, but the requirement to obtain a drivers license applies to new Florida residents. But, the 90-day insurance law applies to everyone who drives a vehicle in Florida, residents and non-residents. A snowbird, who stays in The Villages for 4 or 5 months every year, is required to buy a Florida auto insurance policy. But, I think that many (not all) snowbirds ignore the insurance law.

As a Michigan based snowbird, I suggest you visit the DMV and get the real scoop as Villagetinker suggested. I own a home here and there. I purchased a vehicle here but still carry a MIchigan driver license as it is where I am homesteaded. The car here is titled in FL, has FL tags and FL insurance. All done and blessed by the folks at the DMV. Go Lions!

[mikempp]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?

I live in Ohio and haven’t needed a echeck for years.

[kendi]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?

E-check is only required in some Northern parts of Ohio. Most counties in Ohio do not require E-check. If you are from a county that does require it you can file for an extension or get permission to get it early. Check it out online.

[kendi]

Ohio hasn't required the e-check in years.

My thoughts as well. Looked it up and a few counties in Northern Ohio still do.

[PilotAlan]

Retired FL cop here. So much bad info.

You cannot register a car or get FL insurance unless you are a RESIDENT.
Once you become a RESIDENT, you MUST register your car and get FL insurance.

You establish residency once you do ANY ONE of the following:
1 - Live in FL for 6 months,
2 - Get a job,
3 - Put your kids in school, or
4 - Register to vote.

Military members PCS'd to FL are exempt.

[Dusty_Star]

no that isn't possible.

Of course it is possible to register a car in Florida. See post #18 which details the Florida requirements.

The larger question is does the renter from Ohio want to start to establish residency in Florida, or are they just looking for an easy answer to an immediate Ohio car registration question? & intend to remain Ohio residents? Then other posters have helped with this.

[RoboVil]

If you are in Florida for more than 30 days, you must have a rider on your car insurance for Florida... you don't have to have a FL DL, but FL insurance is a must. Check out the MV website for the correct information.
Florida insurance companies must have great lobbyists

[HJBeck]

Yeah but 4-6 months is not full time.

[ellenwelsh]

Many years ago my daughter was in Florida attending college and her car, of course was in my name. Did some research and learned that she could obtain the required e-check testing in Georgia.

[Bill14564]

Yeah but 4-6 months is not full time.

Certainly need clarification.

I understood full-time as meaning they were planning to be here consecutive days, not hopping in and out of the state. I did not take full-time to mean permanent resident.

Even "6 months" is not clear. If you mean Jan 1 through June 30 then that is 181 or 182 days and is less than the 183 mentioned in some places. However, March 1 through August 31 is 184 days and non-consecutive months could be as many as 186 days.

[Sclawndr]

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle site only notes -

“Non-Resident

The vehicle you own must have a Florida registration and license plate and be insured with a Florida policy when a non-resident:

accepts employment or engages in a trade, profession or occupation in Florida; or
enrolls children to be educated in a Florida public school.
You must obtain the registration certificate and license plate within 10 days after beginning employment or enrollment. You must also have a Florida certificate of title for your vehicle unless an out-of-state lien holder/lessor holds the title and will not release it to Florida.”

There is nothing on their site that addresses out of state cars needing any special insurance or any limit on the number of days someone who vacations in Florida (aka snowbirds) can stay before having to insure their car thru a florida company. It is true that some insurance websites claim otherwise but that is not supported by the law.

[DAVES]

An Ohio resident is renting full time in TV and needs to renew their car registration in Ohio to get license tags. Ohio requires a vehicle E-check. That would require driving the car back to Ohio. Can the owner get the car titled in Florida even though the owner has an Ohio drivers license?

I vote with number 3. An ex-NEW YORKER. Been here over ten years. Transitions. Palms seem normal after a while. Helpful government,not sure it will ever seem normal but it is. . When going back to Chicago. Here a snow shovel is called a manure shovel.

[DonnaNi4os]

My neighbor haas the same situation. She had to have a deputy from the sheriff’s dept come to inspect the vehicle for damage and check the odometer.