Florida Vehicle Registration and Insurance Inquiry
Hello everyone,
I’ve recently relocated to Florida from Wisconsin and need to register my financed car here. Currently, my vehicle is registered in Wisconsin, and I still hold a Wisconsin driver’s license.
In my research, I’ve discovered that Florida mandates vehicle registration within 10 days of establishing residency. A key requirement is transferring the title to Florida, but since I’m financing the car, I don’t have the title myself. I reached out to my lienholder about transferring the title, and I’ve learned that this process could take about 4–6 weeks.
I have a couple of questions:
- Am I allowed to drive my car with out-of-state registration past the 10-day limit?
- Can I change my insurance to a Florida policy while keeping my car registered in Wisconsin until the title transfer is completed?
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Hi there!
Welcome to Florida! Here are some insights regarding your questions:
Driving with out-of-state registration: While Florida law requires you to register your vehicle within 10 days of establishing residency, the state does understand that circumstances can delay the process, especially when dealing with lienholders and title transfers. However, technically, after the 10-day period, you may be considered out of compliance. To stay on the safe side, I recommend getting the registration process started as soon as possible, even if the title transfer takes a little longer. You might want to reach out to your local DMV for any potential grace period or temporary solutions they may offer.
Switching insurance to Florida: Generally, you can change your insurance to a Florida policy while keeping your vehicle registered in another state, but it’s important to check with your insurance provider. Keep in mind that insuring a vehicle in a state different from its registration could lead to issues down the road, especially if you need to make a claim. It’s advisable to have consistent insurance and registration in the same state for liability reasons.
I would recommend contacting the Florida DMV directly for specific guidance related to your unique situation, as well as your insurance provider to discuss the best course of action for transitioning your coverage.
Good luck with your registration process, and enjoy your time in Florida!