Florida Title and Registration

A lot depends on what your title says.  You said stateside, was it registered in another country?  Does it have the original VW title from California?  You may have made a mistake by trying to use a "private tag" company.  I've sold several in Florida and never had an issue with a California VW title.

Happy to help, let me know.

Troy 

Hi Troy; I brought the car in from Puerto Rico; which is a US territory. I still have the California title from VS back when they were in Hawaiian Gardens and I also have the title from Puerto Rico. In both it is titled as a 1968 Beetle; which is the donor. I have made contact with the title company but haven't really gone there yet; I can still hold out from it.

I also have the original invoice from VS back from when I ordered the car in 2004. I'd appreciate it if you could enlighten me on how to do it; I know you're a veteran at this. Thanks for your response!

I'll sent you a PM.  Call me right now. 

Troy, were do I find PMS?

Eric Marshall Green posted:

Troy, were do I find PMS?

What is PMS? 

It said you PMed me.  Maybe you did not?

I wouldn't waste $ on a title company to register in FL.  FL uses its tax office for licensing/registration.  They don't do a safety or integrity inspection (ever), they go out and look at the VIN and mileage.  (You can also have a law enforcement officer attest to mileage and VIN without taking the car in - but it requires another form).  I'd stick with registering it as a '68 VW - the new tag will cost you only $75 as an antique (30 years old in FL - not norma 25 years).  A normal new tag is $225! (I haven't registered mine yet in FL as they do require you maintain insurance on a car once it is registered and tagged). Since itis already registered (for more than 6 months) in your name, there will be no FL 606.5% sales tax).  Plus in FL, only 1 license plate required (rear).  You can buy a used antique plate and it can be used - but more forms and it has to be pristine.  Weird codes too for old FL plates - some for trucks, RV, cars and some are for counties.

PM'd means look to the upper right and click on user name then drop down 4 lines to Private Message. Red if you have one.

@Panhandle Bob

Eric Marshall Green posted:

It said you PMed me.  Maybe you did not?

Top right side of the page there’s a black box where your screen name is at. Click on that and there is a drop down box with links in it. One of them should say “Private Messages”. Aka PM and he PM’d you meaning he sent you a private message. Click on that and there should be a message from Troy. 

"FL 606.5% sales tax)."   BAAAAAAAAAA, That made me laugh

Oops, 6-6.5% sales tax on the purchase price (less trade-in if applicable).  Actually not bad since FL has no income tax and real estate taxes are low too.  (Still have red clay roads, no sidewalks, and no cell phone/internet in rural areas though - Plus watch out for Gators and Armadillos!)

Eric Marshall Green posted:

It said you PMed me.  Maybe you did not?

I didn't.  I PMd Impala the original poster. 

I spoke to Impala, who is actually Roberto who is from Puerto Rico and has been on the list for many years.  He moved to Florida and just got his car shipped over from Puerto Rico so he really only needs to transfer the registration to Florida.  He has a current PR title in his name as a 68 VW.  He also has the original California title from Vintage as a 68 VW.  I believe he created an unnecessary issue by telling the private title company that it was a replica.  I recommend that he just take his PR title to the DMV (without the car) and just tell them he has moved to Florida and needs to register it.  Don't say anything about replica and see what they say.  He already owns the car, so there shouldn't be any tax issues. 

What Troy said.

Plus he can get the cheaper plates registering it as a '68 VW!  And it will be easier to sell should he ever want to later.

Thank you all; especially Troy with whom I had a phone conversation. I was able to successfully register the car as a '68 Beetle as suggested and get an Antique license plate for it. I am waiting for the title that's supposed to come in the mail.

Impala,

So when you registered your car, did you need to take the car to the DMV, or were you able to do as Troy suggested, and just take your current title to the DMV (without the car) and get registered.

I have a current VS built by Kirk and registered in Michigan as a '67 VW, and I need to get it registered in Florida.

Thanks for any help.

Bill

The FL "DMV" is actually the local tax office.  They are required to verify both the VIN and the Speedo mileage.  OR you can have a state official verify them (Sherriff/FL dealer) .  There is a provision for out of state verification. During Covid's DMV closure, I had a local Sherriff's policeman verify VIN/mileage on a car I transferred to my daughter.  I  used FL form 82040 which has a place for that verification.  He did call the VIN in to verify that it wasn't stolen and was in my name.  It did not have to be notorized.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE WITH/WITHOUT REGISTRATION (flhsmv.gov)

Here's from form-

Thanks Wolfgang - very helpful. At the top of that form, they ask to check application type - original or transfer. I know transfer would be correct if we are buying or selling the car, but would it also include re - titling the car from one state to another?

Bill

Yes. Anytime you transfer from one state to another or from one owner to another. The original is only for turning in an MSO* for the first title.

*Manufacturers Statement of Origin.