Moving- car document help?

Question

Hey guys, I am moving from Massachusetts to Florida on Oct. 1st and I had a few questions about my vehicle documentation.

1.) My Mass. inspection sticker expires in September, Now, do I have to get a new inspection sticker in Sept. in MA or should I wait until Oct. and get one in Florida(I actually heard they don't even do inspections in Florida.) Would it be a waste of money to get a new stickers here in Ma. in Sept?

2.) Can I just keep my Mass. plate and registration? I read on the Florida website that you have 30 days to switch over your tags and to get a FL drivers license once you move here. What will happen to my Mass license when I do this? What if I don't do this, will I get in trouble?

3.) When I do get my FL license and tags, I then register my car in FL and I'll be all set?

Thanks in advance for anyone who knows the answer to these questions.

Answer 1

What happens if you get stopped in Mass during Oct? I would get the new sticker to be safe and possibly save getting fined. Florida does not have inspections. Depending on what part of Florida you move to, the 30 days period can change. When i moved there, you had 30 days "unless" you went to work. Then it was 3 days. I got a ticket for it ($25). Where I lived (in Ocala) the police checked factory parking lots for out of State plates and ticketed the driver when they left. Getting the plates and drivers license at the DMV is pretty easy. Florida used to have an "Impact fee" when you brought a car into the State and registered it. That was found to be illegal, but I have heard they made a new "tax" to take it's place.

Answer 2

Once your inspection sticker expires, you are likely to get stopped and ticketed.  It's best to get it done and avoid any potential problems.

After you are a resident of Florida you will need to switch license and registration.  Yes, if you don't do it, you'll get in trouble.  The first time you're stopped you can claim you just moved there, but that won't work the second time.  As to your drivers license, they will take your old one when they give you the FL one.  Not sure if FL lets you keep your old plates or not.

Will you be all set then?  Yes, if you remember that FL is a no fault state and switch over your insurance coverage also.

Enjoy your new state.

Answer 3

Do not take the chance of driving your vehicle without a current inspection certificate or current registration. The fine for doing so would far outweigh the cost of the inspection and or registration.