Help with license plates (renters, car insurance, how much)

[Chanel24]

I am having the hardest time trying to figure out how to get my Florida license plates. Where I'm from there is one ginormis building where you get your license, pay tickets, get and renew license plates, get a new ssn card - here it is VERY different. I went to the DMV to try to get my license plates - and they laughed at me and said I need to go to a tax collector.

hmmmm so I found some tax collectors, but how much do I pay and do they have plates they can give me right then? This is quite different from where I am from. I read somewhere that there needs to be some kind of inspection of my car, is this really true? I would really love some advice from anyone who moved to Florida. I know once I do this all once, I can renew most stuff online.

Thanks!

[KT33301]

Try calling any of the tag offices in your area. In Florida they call them tags and not license plates.
I had a car shipped from Missouri and didn't have to have an inspection, but it's been some time ago and don't really remember the specifics other than going to the tag office and not the DMV.

[ruski]

Inspection maybe something at your local police department - to make sure you are who you are and the car is the car.

Other than that I am not aware of any car inspections in Florida (there is no annual emissions inspection for example)

[Chanel24]

Thanks! I did call - and I will answer my own question in case someone else just moved here and is looking for help.

There are two types of tag offices, private and county. If you go to a private tag office, I can do everything there - order plates, etc. But I have to pay a convenience fee. If I go to the county office, I can save a little money, but I have to have a police office inspect my car/vin to verify everything - have it notarized and brought to the county office to order my plates.

Also - Where I'm from it was only $45 for "tags". It is costing me $450 here.

I guess I will make up the difference in no state income taxes - but everything is so very expensive - car insurance, jewelry insurance, renters insurance, electricity - nuts!!

[Liljo22]

Are you sure about the $450. There is a one time $225 registration fee if you are coming from out of state but the yearly fee is only $46. If you want a specialty plate, it will cost you a little more.

[Chanel24]

I'm doing it this weekend - I'll report back if is isn't $450. I know the one time fee really hikes up the price - but there are a couple other one time fees

[33060]

All the fees pretty well double a few months ago ither than the one time
fee.
Car is now 86.40 I think.

Here is the DMV link with the FAQ answers.
Official Website Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

[Chanel24]

Just to bring this back full circle....... I officially have Florida plates - it cost $483 for the record. Apparently only people moving to Florida ever would have to pay all the additional fees