[TerSul]

Is it possible to get a Florida resident ID without getting your driver's license? We will be new to TV in January but for future years plan to spend six months of the year in TV and six in NH. Since we have been living in NH for only six months, I hate to re-register cars etc. but would like to get the benefits of owning in Florida while we are there. Is that too much to ask/expect?

[dfn8tly]

When you say "benefits of owning in Florida" I hope you're not referring to the Real Estate Taxes Homestead Exemption. I don't know if a Florida resident card can be issued but I do know that it requires a lot more than that to establish full-time residency and secure those benefits.

Maybe this is not what you're referring to but it's the first thing that hopped into my mind. You must maintain legal residence somewhere.

[golfnut]

I believe you can get a Florida only drivers license without surrendering your NH drivers license, check the FL DMV site.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by golfnut

I believe you can get a Florida only drivers license without surrendering your NH drivers license, check the FL DMV site.

True:

Go to DMV in TV and show them your out of state Drivers License and ask for a "Florida Only" drivers license and you get to have two drivers licenses. The Florida Only license costs $25.25 (like the song, "in the year - - -" ) and only requires a vision test. It looks like most others DL's and on the back in small letters it says Only for use in Florida (or similar statement). Having it does not make you a resident of Florida but it is needed to get car insurance on a car that you want to have Florida plates in case you are snowbirds and want to leave a car in TV.

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[Barefoot]

I'm from Canada and had no problem obtaining a Florida's driver's license, just had to go to the MVO office in Wildwood.

A driver's license has nothing to do with registering motor vehicles.

But if you're looking for a homestead exemption for taxes, a driver's license doesn't do it.

[drdodge]

yes you can get a florida I D card from the DMV without getting a license
drd

[TerSul]

No, I knew we would not qualify for the homestead exemption. Actually, when buying Disney tickets, I was told that I would get a reasonably good discount if I had a Florida ID. I just didn't know what that meant exactly. I was just wondering if paying Florida real estate taxes would be enough to get such an ID. I was also thinking that eventually we might leave one car in FL and one in NH and was unsure how that would work registration-wise. As you see, I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks for your input. You are always a good source of information.

[villager99]

voter registration and health insurance are other items impacted by declared state of residency.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by TerSul

No, I knew we would not qualify for the homestead exemption. Actually, when buying Disney tickets, I was told that I would get a reasonably good discount if I had a Florida ID.

It's good to get a "Florida Only" driver's license. Disney (sometimes) has deals for Florida residents, so do cruise lines and other businesses, hotels and Florida attractions like Silver Springs. You can also get a library card for the county you live in. Few people look for that little statement that says "Valid in Florida only".

And when you finally move here, they convert that one to a regular one when they take your NH DL away from you.

I knew a couple who had a house up north (in her name) and one in Florida (in his name). They claimed TWO homestead exemptions (one for each place). She voted up north and he voted down south. She had a northern driver's license and registration and he had Florida ones. Luckily both states did not have State Income Taxes. As far as I know, that's all perfectly legal. There is nothing saying that a married couple HAS to live together even though they were together all the time!

Skip

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by TerSul

No, I knew we would not qualify for the homestead exemption. Actually, when buying Disney tickets, I was told that I would get a reasonably good discount if I had a Florida ID. I just didn't know what that meant exactly. I was just wondering if paying Florida real estate taxes would be enough to get such an ID. I was also thinking that eventually we might leave one car in FL and one in NH and was unsure how that would work registration-wise. As you see, I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks for your input. You are always a good source of information.

To register a car in Fla you have to show proof of insurance issued in Florida. To get Fla insurance you need a Fla driver's license; they will issue the insurance without the DL but you have to get them a copy within 90 days or they will cancel the insurance.

Forgot to mention - to get the driver's license you need a Birth Cert or passport.

Look over Zcaveman's list of things to know about living in TV: Search Zcaveman list.

[douga]

If you are renting for 3 months in the Villages is it possible to get a 'florida only driver's licence' and if so, what do you have to do to get one?

[chuckinca]

search: zcaveman list

Review Florida Driver's License comments.


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[Bogie Shooter]

From the nuts and bolts topic on TOTV....lots of good info there under Moving to the Villages.
Florida Drivers License
As mentioned above, be sure to bring your birth certificates and other ID with you. You will need them to get a Florida driver's licenses* As of October 1, 2008, you must present proof of Social Security number (for example, a Social Security card or any of the following documents showing your Social Security number: tax return, W-2 form, property tax statement, pay check, DD-214, school record).

You will get a vision test when you transfer your driver's license to Florida. You will not be able to keep your old driver's license except as noted in the next paragraph. This site has all you need to know about getting a Florida Driver's license and registering your automobiles in Florida. http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ Look under Tags and Titles and New to Florida.

Apparently, you can keep your out of state driver's license if you request a "Florida Only" driver's license. If you are a snowbird and leave a car in Florida, that car needs Florida registration which needs Florida auto insurance which needs a Florida driver's License (the insurance carrier will issue a policy with the proviso that you send them a copy of your Florida driver's license within 90 days or they cancel the policy - you need proof of insurance to get registration but you don't need a Florida driver's license to get registration). Get the "Florida Only" driver's licenses to meet these requirements.

If you have the correct documents the process is quick at the DMV office and you walk out with the driver's license. The "Florida Only" driver's license has "For Florida Use Only" is in small print on the back of the license.

Florida Automobile Registration.* You will need your automobile titles. If you are still buying your car, bring the name and address of the car loan place and the account number. You will have to have proof of Florida car insurance before you can change titles and get tags. I stayed with my original company but they had to write me a new policy and cancel the New Jersey one. This site has all you need to know about getting a Florida Driver's license and registering your automobiles in Florida. http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/* Look under Tags and Titles and New to Florida.

[Irish Rover]

Does the "Florida Only" drivers license allow you to get the Florida resident discount at Disney, Busch Gardens etc ? Sounds like a good deal if it works that way. Thanks

[chuckinca]

I think it will work - the "Florida Only" is in very small print on the back of the license.


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