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Florida Guide

How to Title a Private Car Sale in Florida

Last verified: October 2026 against FLHSMV and Florida DOR sources

When you buy a car from a private seller in Florida, you title and register it at a motor vehicle service center within 30 days.

Here is the order to do it in, what it costs, and what to bring.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the title transfer

    For a paper title, the seller completes the Transfer of Title by Seller section, including the odometer reading, which both of you acknowledge.

    For an electronic title, you and the seller visit a motor vehicle service center together with photo ID to complete a secure title reassignment.

  2. 2

    Let the seller keep the plate

    License plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. You use your own plate or get a new one.

  3. 3

    Get Florida insurance

    You need proof of Florida personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance from a Florida insurance company to register.

  4. 4

    Apply within 30 days

    Complete the Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (HSMV 82040) and submit it with the title at a motor vehicle service center within 30 calendar days, starting the day after the sale, to avoid a late transfer penalty.

    If the car was not previously titled in Florida, a VIN and odometer verification (HSMV 82042) is also needed.

  5. 5

    Pay the tax and fees

    You pay 6% sales tax plus any county surtax, a $75.25 title fee (add $2.50 for a paper title), and registration by weight ($35.60 for 2,500 to 3,499 lbs, $45.60 for 3,500 lbs and up, $27.60 under 2,500 lbs).

    If you have no Florida plate registered in your name to transfer, add the $225 initial registration fee and $28 for a new metal plate.

How Florida sales tax works on a private sale

  • 6% state sales tax on the price.
  • Most counties add a discretionary surtax of 0.5% to 2%, based on your county of residence, applied only to the first $5,000 of the price.
  • A trade-in lowers the taxable price only when two individuals trade vehicles in a single transaction. Selling one car and using the money for another is not a trade-in.

What to bring

  • The title, with the seller’s transfer section and odometer reading completed
  • Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (HSMV 82040)
  • Proof of Florida PIP and PDL insurance
  • VIN and odometer verification (HSMV 82042), if the car was not previously titled in Florida
  • Photo ID
  • Payment for sales tax, title, and registration fees (plus $225 and $28 if you have no plate to transfer)

Estimate your Florida costs

The calculator includes the 6% state tax and the county surtax range (none to 2% of the first $5,000). Answer the plate question to include or drop the $225 initial registration fee and $28 plate.

Open the full Florida calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in Florida.

51 Jurisdictions Active
Florida 6% tax base
$
7 years old
Standard Passenger
Florida tag options
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $2.00
Florida: Deductible
$

Florida Statute: Florida allows trade-in value on private sales to be deducted from the purchase price before applying the 6% fee.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Florida

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,299.45 – $1,399.45

Sales/Excise Tax (State + Local Range) + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration + Initial Registration + Plate Fee

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (6% State + Local Range)

State tax $900.00 + Local tax (varies by county) $0.00–$100.00 on the first $5,000.00

$900.00 – $1,000.00
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$75.25
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$71.20
5Initial Registration Fee

One-time fee when you have no plate of your own to transfer

$225.00
6New License Plate

New metal plate when you have no plate to transfer

$28.00

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Florida rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Florida Department of Revenue or FLHSMV.

Florida sales tax is 6%. Most counties add a discretionary surtax of 0.5% to 2% on the first $5,000, based on the buyer’s county of residence. The estimate shows the range from no surtax to 2%.

A $225 initial registration fee and $28 metal plate fee apply when the buyer has no Florida plate to transfer. They are included unless you answer Yes to the plate question.

Registration shown is for cars of 2,500 to 3,499 lbs ($35.60) and 3,500 lbs and up ($45.60). Cars under 2,500 lbs pay $27.60.

A trade-in between individuals reduces the taxable price only when vehicles are traded in a single transaction, documented on the bill of sale and titles.

A paper title is $77.75 instead of $75.25.

County & Local Tax Note: Most Florida counties add a discretionary sales surtax of 0.5% to 2% (Citrus and Collier have none), based on the buyer’s county of residence. It applies only to the first $5,000 of the price, so it adds at most $100.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this FLHSMV and Florida DOR process.

30 calendar days, starting the day after the seller completes the title transfer and delivers the vehicle.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with FLHSMV and Florida DOR before you go.

More Florida guides

How to Gift a Car in FloridaWhen a gift is tax-free, the sworn statement, and titling.Titling a Car in Florida After Moving From Another StateThe 10-day deadline, VIN verification, the $225 fee, and use tax.
Florida Private Party Car Tax Calculator