Registering an RV in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide for Out-of-State Owners

Under Florida law, new residents must title and register their motor vehicles, including RVs, within 10 days of placing children in public school, taking employment or otherwise establishing residency in Florida. Registration provides proof -- in the form of a title certificate, a license plate, validation decal and registration certificate -- that you have paid the required Florida registration taxes and fees for your vehicle. To register an out-of-state RV in Florida, you must obtain insurance from a Florida insurance agency, verify your vehicle identification number and submit the appropriate registration forms to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office near you.

Step 1

Obtain insurance for your RV from a Florida insurance agency. Every insurance policy sold by a Florida licensed agency is electronically reported to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Without this electronic verification, you cannot register your RV in Florida.

Step 2

Download an Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website (see Resources). Read through the document to familiarize yourself with the titling and registration requirements. Note the section at the top of page two, which explains that you must have your vehicle identification number (VIN) verified by a Florida Notary Public, police officer, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles employee or licensed motor vehicle dealer.

Step 3

Visit an appropriate authority and have your RV's vehicle identification number verified. The inspecting agent must complete the appropriate section of your title/registration application to certify the inspection.

Step 4

Complete the application. At the top of the form, check the boxes for "transfer" and "motor vehicle." If your original title certificate lists two owners joined by the word "AND," you must include signatures from both owners on the application.

Step 5

Take the completed application, the RV's current title certificate and proof of insurance to the local Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office. Submit the documents and pay the required fees. After processing, the appropriate registration documents and plates will be issued to you.

Tip

If you prefer to submit your application by mail, you must calculate the required fees in advance. To do so, download a fee calculation packet from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (see Resources). Complete the included fee calculation form and prepare a check or money order in the resulting amount. Mail the completed application, proof of insurance, current certificate of title and payment to the indicated address. After processing, the appropriate registration documents and plates will be issued to you.