When selling a motor vehicle in Florida, you will need to create a car Bill of Sale (Form HSMV 82050). The purpose of ir is to give both the seller and buyer written proof of the sale.
It needs to be completed by the seller, either at the time of the sale or before. It must also be signed by both the buyer and the seller. It is also needed when registering a car and acts as proof that ownership has been transferred. It can also be used if you need to replace a lost registration or title document.
This bill of sale needs to include the following details:
- Contact details of both the buyer and seller
- Purchase price of the car
- Condition of the car
- Make, model, color, and year of the car
- Signatures of both parties
The vehicle’s new owner will need to take this form to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Signing Requirements – it must be signed by both parties.
If the vehicle is being transferred from out of State, or is less than 10 years old, you will need to complete Form HSMV 82042 (Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification).
Free Bill of Sale Forms
Registering a Vehicle in Florida
Once the buyer has purchased the vehicle, they will have 30 days from the time of purchase to register and title it. This can be done by visiting a FLHSMV office near you.
Initial Registration of a Vehicle in Florida
If the owner has never had a record of a license plate registered in their name, in the state of Florida, or does not have a license plate, an Initial Registration Fee of $225 will need to be paid at the time of registration. The owner will need to do this face to face at a local service center when they are titling the vehicle.
It is the seller’s responsibility to complete the section on the title “Transfer of Title by Seller”. This can be located on the front of the title certificate. The buyer will then have 30 days to complete an application for a certificate of title, either with or without Registration. The title must be attached to this document. The buyer can then go to a local service center.
They will need to have the following documentation with them:
- Car bill of sale for Florida (Form HSMV 82050). Both the seller and the buyer must sign this, as stated in Florida Statute §319.23.
- The original certificate of title that has been signed over by the seller.
- Proof of identity, such as a Florida driver’s license
- Form HSMV 82042 with or without registration, with the title attached – needed if the vehicle is ten years or under and the title has no room to record the odometer reading. This form also serves as verification of the vehicle’s VIN, which will be required if you are a new Florida resident, or if the vehicle has been purchased outside of Florida, in accordance with Florida Statute §319.225.
- For vehicles that were purchased out of state, Form HSMV 82040 must be completed.
- Proof of valid insurance in Florida, which must have the minimum requirements:
- $10,000 that covers no-fault or personal injury protection insurance
- $10,000 that covers property damage liability insurance
- $225 to cover the initial registration fee. There may be an additional fee depending on the type of vehicle being registered. You can find details online: registration fees
- If you are registering a vehicle on behalf of the owner, you will need to complete a motor vehicle power of attorney.
Registering a Vehicle from Out of State
If you are transferring a vehicle from out of state, you will need to have it registered with the Florida highway safety and motor vehicles (FLHSMV) with the help of this bill of sale. You have 15 days from the time that you have established your residency to do this.
Renewing a Vehicle in Florida
Vehicle registrations will need to be renewed every 1 to 2 years, depending on whether the vehicle owner has chosen a 12- or 24-months registration period. You can renew your vehicle in advance for up to 3 months prior to the renewal date of your vehicle. The owner will have until midnight of their birth date to do this unless the vehicle is owned by a business. You can find more information here: heavy truck registration.
Where to Renew a Vehicle in Florida
Renewals can be done in one of three ways: in-person, online, or via a mobile app as follows:
Online
You can renew an already registered vehicle online via the FLHSMV’s GoRenew service. You will be required to provide personal details of the vehicle owner to identify yourself. There is a $2.00 processing fee for all electronic payments made online. If valid insurance cannot be verified, you will need to visit a local service center or call the customer service line at (850) 617-2000.
The renewed registration will be sent via mail and can take 7 to 10 business days from the date of the transaction to arrive. You will have the option to have an email sent to you, which you can use as your proof of payment while you wait for the renewal to arrive. If you have not received your registration within 20 days of renewal, you can contact customer service at (850) 617-2000, or visit a local service center.
Mobile app
You may also use the MyFlorida mobile app to renew your registration. You will need to provide either the VIN or the license plate of the vehicle you are renewing. You will need to have valid insurance on the vehicle in order to register through the mobile app. The app allows you to renew as many as 5 vehicles at a time while charging a single processing fee. You will receive a digital document that can be used as proof until you receive the physical registration document. If paying by credit card, you will be charged a processing fee of $4.00. If using a checking account, you will be charged $3.75.
You can download the MyFlorida app for free at either iTunes or Google Play.
In-person
To renew in person, you can visit one of the many FHSMV local service centers.
Florida State Laws for Registering Motor Vehicles
In Florida, to operate a vehicle on state roads, it must have a valid registration. This also includes any vehicle that has an out-of-state registration, which must be registered in Florida within 10 days of either establishing your residency, registering your children in a Florida public school, or taking on employment in Florida.
Complete Florida registration will consist of the following:
- Metal license plate, which must be secured on the vehicle in the designated space set out in section 320.38, Florida Statutes. The plate number must match the registration number that was provided.
- You must wither carry or keep the registration certificate in the vehicle as per section 320.0605, Florida Statutes.
- You will be provided with a registration decal, which will be located on your registration certificate. This must be placed on the license plate, in the upper right corner.
Conclusion
The importance of a bill of sale for Florida is explained to a great extent in this article. However, getting the requirements of the form as well as the related procedures is just as vital as the attainment and completion or the purpose of this form itself.
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