Florida Car Buying Basics
What you need to know before buying a new or used car in the Sunshine State.
Taxes and Fees
State Sales Tax: Florida charges a 6% state sales tax on vehicle purchases.
Discretionary Sales Surtax: Most counties charge an additional surtax on the first $5,000 of the purchase price.
Trade-In Tax Credit: In Florida, you only pay sales tax on the difference between the new car price and your trade-in value.
County Surtax Estimator
Dealer Fees: Florida does not cap dealer documentation fees. They typically range from $800 to $1,200. Always ask for an out-the-door price.
Registration and Title
New Plates: A new Florida license plate (first-time registration) carries an initial registration fee of $225, plus standard registration fees.
Transferring Plates: Transferring an existing valid Florida plate to a new vehicle avoids the $225 initial fee.
Temporary Tags: Dealerships issue a 30-day temporary paper tag so you can drive legally while permanent registration is processed.
Insurance Requirements
Florida requires proof of insurance before you can register a vehicle or drive it off the lot. Minimum requirements are:
- $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL)
Note: If you are financing, your lender will require full coverage (Comprehensive and Collision) regardless of state minimums.
