Motor Vehicles

Relocating to Florida

If you are a new Florida resident, you are required to register your vehicle within ten days and get a Florida driver's license within 30 days. If you have an out-of-state driver's license and it has not expired beyond 30 days you can convert your license without taking a written or road test. If you need a driver's license for the first time you must complete a State of Florida Authorized four-hour Drug and Alcohol (DATA) Course and Permit Test on road signs and road rules.

Car Registration and Auto Insurance

Before registering your vehicle, you must obtain Florida Auto Insurance and have verification of the VIN number. The auto insurance must be purchased from an insurance company licensed by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Florida's minimum coverage is $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL). If you have been involved in a crash, or been convicted of certain offenses, you may be required to purchase bodily injury liability coverage (BIL).

Bay County DMV Offices & Services

Your Bay County DMV offices provide vehicle registration, drivers licenses, ID cards, tag and title services for cars, trucks, trailers, vessels and mobile homes.

DMVFlorida.org is your online guide to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.

Summary of Mandatory Seat Belt Laws in the State of Florida

Seat belt laws apply to all cars, pickup trucks, and vans operated on Florida roads.

All passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt.

All passengers under 18 must wear a seat belt.

The cost for a seatbelt violation is $30.

For a child that is not properly restrained the violation is $60.

Florida Child Restraint Requirements

Florida law states that children ages 4 through 5 must be in a separate carrier, integrated child seat, or booster seat. There are many five-year-olds starting kindergarten this school year, and while they may not seem like your baby anymore or their peers may be in a different type of child restraint, it’s important for parents to use a car seat that fits their child’s current size and age.

Florida law requires the use of seat belts or child restraint devices by drivers of motor vehicles, all front seat passengers, and all children riding in a vehicle under 18.

Florida law requires children age 5 and under to be secured properly in a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device.

Children ages 0 to 3 must be in child restraint devices of a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child seat.

Children age 4 through 5 must be in a separate carrier, integrated child seat or booster seat.

Be sure to read the seat’s instruction manual and the portion of your vehicle’s owner manual when installing a car seat in your vehicle.

Remember to check for car seat and booster seat recalls and sign up to receive potential future alerts: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

Contact the 325 Fighter Wing Ground Safety Office at (850) 283-3200 or by email at 325fw.se.all@us.af.mil for further information on child safety car seats.

How to Renew Your Florida Driver's License

Military service members and their families who live and drive in Florida, may do so with a valid out-of-state driver license. There is no requirement to obtain a Florida driver license when military and their family members move to Florida, take a job, or enroll their children in public schools.

Online Renewals

The easiest way for Florida Residents that are United States citizens to renew a Florida driver's license is online with GoRenew.

Florida Driver's License Renewal Fees:

• Driver's License Renewal - $48 (Class E License - standard noncommercial driver's license)
• Delinquent License Renewal - $63 ($48 renewal fee + $15 delinquency fee for Class E License)
• Replacement License - $25 (Lost License)
• Stolen License - no fee if a police report is provided - $15 with no police report.

Renew by Mail

If you are eligible to renew by mail, you will receive in the mail approximately 45 days before your birthday a renewal application. https://www.dmvflorida.org/

Vehicle Registration

In the state of Florida, a vehicle must have a valid registration to operate on Florida roads, and vehicle with out-of-state registrations are required by law to be registered within 10 days of the owner either becoming employed, placing children in public school, or establishing residency.

A complete registration consists of the following:

• A metal plate (number on plate must match the number provided on the registration and decal) attached to the vehicle in the designated area per section 320.38, Florida Statutes.
• A registration certificate in the possession of the operator of the motor vehicle or carried in the vehicle at all times per section 320.0605, Florida Statutes.
• A registration decal is a sticker that is provided on the registration certificate. The validation decal should be affixed in the square provided in the upper right-hand corner of the Florida license plate.

Florida Residents Deployed Out-of-State

Florida residents deployed out-of-state are allowed to have out-of-state vehicle insurance if the vehicle is located out-of-state. To do this, and avoid a driver license suspension, please follow the instructions found in the Military Insurance Exemption Information and the Certificate for Florida Resident Who is an Active Duty U.S. Military Member Currently Stationed in a State Other Than Florida sections on pages 4 and 5 of the Military Forms Packet. Service members who choose to insure their vehicles(s) with insurance from another state are not eligible to renew online. This process can be completed in person or via mail at a motor vehicle service center.

Out-of-State Residents Deployed in Florida

Stationed in Florida and wondering if you have to register your vehicle here? While you have the option to purchase a Florida license plate when stationed here, the United States Federal Code for the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief Act of 1940 authorize non-resident service members to display a current license plate from their home state, so you can keep your home state plate. However, non-resident service members stationed in Florida who wish to purchase a Florida license plate are eligible to claim a fee exemption. The service member claiming the exemption must complete and sign Initial Registration Fee Exemption Affidavit (HSMV form 82002) and bring it in to a local motor vehicle service center.

Move Over Law 

On Multi-Lane Roads:

• Drivers must vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, sanitation, or utility vehicle.
• Drivers must slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit if they cannot move over safely.
• Drivers who are not in the lane closest to the stationary vehicle should be prepared to allow those who are to move over into their lane.

On Two Lane Roads:

• Drivers must slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
• If the speed limit is 20 mph or less, drivers must travel at 5 mph.

Texting While Driving Law Details

As of July 1, 2019 - Texting while driving is a primary offense, which means you can be pulled over by law enforcement and fined for texting and driving.

• Texting - First offense drivers will be fined $30 and no points will be assessed to their driving record
• Texting - Second Texting and Driving offense within 5 years will be considered a moving violation and carry a $60 fine and 3 points on your driving record
• Texting in a School Zone - 2 points added to the primary offense
• Texting resulting in a crash - 6 points added to the primary offense
• Texting in a school zone or construction zone, or texting that causes a crash can quickly add up to a lot of points on your driving record

School Zones and Work Zones (construction areas)

"Wireless Communications Devices" (AKA Cell Phones) can only be used in hands free mode if you are driving in School Zones, School Crossings, or active construction zones. You will receive a citation for using any cell phone in a hand held mode in a school zone or construction zone.

Website: Florida Cell Phone Laws