[Natick58]

Hi everyone, will be moving down from MA in April 2025. Will rent while exploring house / village. I am assuming the owner won’t all us to use their mailbox and I will need a PO Box. Can I get a Fla license with a Box? Without residency I can’t get the Insurance we want. Otherwise I will have to work at home down there which is not ideal. Any ideas will be welcome

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Natick58

Hi everyone, will be moving down from MA in April 2025. Will rent while exploring house / village. I am assuming the owner won’t all us to use their mailbox and I will need a PO Box. Can I get a Fla license with a Box? Without residency I can’t get the Insurance we want. Otherwise I will have to work at home down there which is not ideal. Any ideas will be welcome

No. You need two forms of proof of residency and a PO Box doesn’t count. You also need to have FL insurance before you can register a car.

[retiredguy123]

Note that the mailbox is owned by the USPS, not by the house owner. If you have a long term lease and are a legal resident of the house, you have a right to get your mail at the mailbox. The owner doesn't. You can even change the lock and key, if you want.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Note that the mailbox is owned by the USPS, not by the house owner. If you have a long term lease and are a legal resident of the house, you have a right to get your mail at the mailbox. The owner doesn't. You can even change the lock and key, if you want.

Long term means year or more, right?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Long term means year or more, right?

I think it is a gray area, but a year lease would qualify as a resident.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by Natick58

Hi everyone, will be moving down from MA in April 2025. Will rent while exploring house / village. I am assuming the owner won’t all us to use their mailbox and I will need a PO Box. Can I get a Fla license with a Box? Without residency I can’t get the Insurance we want. Otherwise I will have to work at home down there which is not ideal. Any ideas will be welcome

Your assuming landlord will not let you use mailbox but most will. Second option is a PO Box from a place like St. Brendans (do a search on here for comments on them). I would not change the insurance until your permanent as your same as on vacation since your renting (IMO). Six months as permanent resident see link:
Florida Residency Requirements, Steps, and Rules - Alper Law

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Over the years I have rented out different homes I’ve had both seasonal and long term ,the renters always could have there mail sent to the address of the home , my mail went to wherever I was staying for the winter, having said that there are landlords who may not want to let people know there renting out the property ,if this is the case make sure you get a better deal to go along with the request , because they are most likely hiding the rental income

[blueash]

The simple answer is yes. The rules for obtaining a Florida driver's license are U.S. Citizen - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

You need
1 Proof of US citizenship (if you are a citizen)
2 Proof you reside in Florida. The easiest two forms for you would be
A copy of your rental / lease agreement
A bank statement with your local address

So open a bank account here and get a statement from them. You can print the statement at home or I suppose ask the bank to print one for you. Be sure you use the rental address with the bank. You can change it later when you find a home.

Renter's insurance might or might not qualify as the webpage says homeowners.

Another option of a document would be an official declaration of domicile
HERE is the Sumter County form.

Google can give you details, but it is a declaration that you intend to live permanently in Florida thus establishing residency.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by blueash

The simple answer is yes. The rules for obtaining a Florida driver's license are U.S. Citizen - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

You need
1 Proof of US citizenship (if you are a citizen)
2 Proof you reside in Florida. The easiest two forms for you would be
A copy of your rental / lease agreement
A bank statement with your local address

So open a bank account here and get a statement from them. You can print the statement at home or I suppose ask the bank to print one for you. Be sure you use the rental address with the bank. You can change it later when you find a home.

Renter's insurance might or might not qualify as the webpage says homeowners.

Another option of a document would be an official declaration of domicile
HERE is the Sumter County form.

Google can give you details, but it is a declaration that you intend to live permanently in Florida thus establishing residency.

The answer is NO. You cannot get a driver’s license with a PO Box…. That was the OP question.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

The answer is NO. You cannot get a driver’s license with a PO Box…. That was the OP question.

That's absolutely wrong.

If you prove your residency, with a lease and other documentation, you can use a Post Office Box as your mailing address in Florida and most other states.

[Natick58]

Thank you all. So much great information. Using the rental address will make things easier.

[USOTR]

Mail Forwarding Services at St Brendan's Isle

The link above is not a PO box but can serve as your actual legal address..


But as others have stated your lease, bank account statement and power bill in your name with your lease address and you can get a Florida DL.

[Cuervo]

It might be easier if you go to a UPS store, they rent mailboxes, I don't know the cost, but it might be worth the price instead of jumping through hoops.

[wsachs]

Originally Posted by Natick58

Thank you all. So much great information. Using the rental address will make things easier.

So easy to go to a place like Villages Pack and Ship and rent a PO Box. Did that for years with no problem. They even forwarded mail that came after I left.

[Topgun 1776]

Originally Posted by Cuervo

It might be easier if you go to a UPS store, they rent mailboxes, I don't know the cost, but it might be worth the price instead of jumping through hoops.

Best advice yet!!! Everything else seems to be up to other posters'interpretations, their previous experience, etc etc. etc. This is easy peasy!