How do I transfer a car title in Florida?
Florida title transfer costs $75.25 for an electronic title, paid at your county tax collector's office within 30 days of purchase. Bring the signed title, valid ID, proof of Florida insurance, and the fee. When buying from Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales, the dealer handles all title and registration paperwork. Call (954) 793-1761.
Does Florida lemon law cover used cars?
Florida's Lemon Law (Chapter 681) primarily covers new vehicles. Used car protections are very limited — there is no automatic right to return a used car. Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales includes a 90-day warranty backed by Front Line Auto on every vehicle to fill this legal gap.
What is the difference between a clean title and rebuilt title in Florida?
A clean title means the vehicle has never been declared a total loss. A rebuilt title means the car was previously totaled, repaired, and re-inspected by FLHSMV. Rebuilt-title vehicles are harder to insure and have lower resale value. Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales sells clean-title vehicles only.
Buying a Used Car in Florida
Every Law, Fee,
and Regulation
Title transfer, sales tax, lemon law, title types, registration — the definitive Florida regulatory guide. Inspected by a Mechanic. Sold by the Owner. Backed by a Warranty.
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Florida Title Transfer: Process & Fees
Title must be transferred to the new owner within 30 days of purchase at your county tax collector's office. Documents required:
- Signed vehicle title — both seller and buyer signatures required
- Valid Florida driver's license or state-issued ID
- Proof of Florida auto insurance (minimum PIP + PDL)
- Odometer disclosure statement (for vehicles under 10 years old)
- VIN verification (Form HSMV 82042) if the vehicle was previously titled out of state
- Payment: $75.25 for an electronic title
Dealer purchase: When buying from Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales, the dealer submits the title application and registration on your behalf. You receive a temporary tag immediately.
Florida DHSMV — Motor Vehicle Titles — official requirements and fees.
Florida Title Types Explained
Every vehicle sold in Florida carries a title designation. Understanding what you are buying is the single most important legal due-diligence step.
Source: Florida DHSMV — Title Types
How Florida Sales Tax Works on a Used Car
Florida charges 6% state sales tax on the purchase price of a vehicle. Broward County adds a 1% discretionary surtax — total 7% in Broward County.
- Trade-in credit: Tax is calculated on the purchase price minus the trade-in value. A $3,000 trade-in toward a $12,000 vehicle means tax on $9,000.
- County surtax cap: The discretionary surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of the taxable sale in most counties — not the full purchase price.
- No used-car exemption: Florida taxes both dealer and private-seller used car purchases. There is no exemption for pre-owned vehicles.
- Out-of-state registration: If you register the vehicle in another state, you may owe that state's tax rate instead. FLHSMV has specific procedures for this scenario.
Complete Florida Cost Breakdown
Sources: FLHSMV — Fees · FL Dept. of Revenue — Sales Tax
Florida Auto Insurance: What the Law Requires
Florida is a no-fault state. Minimum legal requirements to register and drive a vehicle:
- PIP (Personal Injury Protection): $10,000 minimum — pays your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault.
- PDL (Property Damage Liability): $10,000 minimum — pays for damage you cause to someone else's property or vehicle.
Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) is not required in Florida but is strongly recommended. If you injure someone in an accident, minimum PIP will not cover their losses and you can be sued for the difference.
You must have proof of insurance before driving off any lot. You cannot complete title transfer or registration without it.
Florida Lemon Law for Used Cars — What You Actually Have
Florida's Lemon Law (Chapter 681, Florida Statutes) primarily covers new vehicles. For used cars, protections are very narrow. What used car buyers do NOT have:
- No automatic right to return a vehicle after purchase
- No statutory refund right if the vehicle develops problems after closing
- No cooling-off period — used car sales are final once the contract is signed
This is why a dealer warranty is the most important protection used car buyers can obtain. Fort Lauderdale Auto Sales includes a 90-day warranty backed by Front Line Auto on every vehicle — repaired in-house at no additional cost if something fails mechanically within 90 days.
Florida Attorney General — Motor Vehicle Lemon Law
Florida Statutes Chapter 681 — Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act
Buying from a Dealer vs a Private Seller in Florida
In a private sale, both parties handle all paperwork themselves. The seller signs over the title and provides an odometer disclosure. The buyer has 30 days to transfer the title and must obtain Florida insurance first. There is no warranty — the buyer accepts the vehicle as-is under Florida law.
Florida Used Car — Legal Questions Answered
Continue Your Research
- First-Time Car Buyer Florida — Buyer journey, credit-building, avoiding dealership mistakes
- BHPH vs Bank Loan — Financing comparison for buyers with challenged credit
- FLAS 90-Day Warranty — What is covered and how to make a claim
- What ASE Certification Means — Why inspection quality matters when FL lemon law does not apply
- Used Cars Fort Lauderdale — Browse ASE-inspected vehicles from $6,999
- Used Cars Under $10,000 — Affordable vehicles with 90-day warranty
We Handle the Paperwork. You Keep the Keys.
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