Florida Tags With Out-of-State Car Loan: Can You Get Tags Before the Title Arrives?
Florida Tags With Out-of-State Car Loan: Can You Get Tags Before the Title Arrives?
Moving to Florida with a financed vehicle can create a problem most people don't expect.
You need a Florida license plate and registration, but your bank, credit union or finance company may still hold your out-of-state title. In some states, the title may exist only as an electronic title.
So how do you register the vehicle in Florida when you don't have the title?
Florida has a specific procedure that may allow qualifying vehicles to receive a Florida registration and license plate while the out-of-state lienholder continues to hold the title.
What Is an Out-of-State Lienholder Registration in Florida?
FLHSMV allows certain vehicles to receive a Registration Only transaction when the motor vehicle title is being held by an out-of-state lienholder or lessor.
The Florida registration reason code for this situation is:
OL — Out-of-State Lienholder
This is important because an OL transaction can allow a qualifying vehicle to receive a regular Florida license plate and registration even though the out-of-state title has not yet been surrendered for issuance of a Florida title.
An OL registration is not the same thing as receiving a Florida title. It is a registration-only procedure used while the qualifying out-of-state title remains with the lienholder or lessor.
OFFICIAL REFERENCE — hyperlink "OL — Out-of-State Lienholder":
Can I Get a Florida License Plate While My Lender Holds the Title?
Potentially, yes.
A financed vehicle may have an outstanding loan with a lender that still controls the title. That does not automatically mean you must wait until the loan is paid off before obtaining Florida registration.
Florida provides a registration-only procedure for qualifying situations while the title is being obtained from the out-of-state lienholder.
The transaction must qualify under Florida requirements, and the appropriate ownership, lienholder, registration, identification, insurance and other required documentation must be provided.
OFFICIAL REFERENCE — hyperlink "registration-only procedure":
What If My Out-of-State Title Is Electronic?
This is increasingly common.
States such as California use electronic title and lien systems. A vehicle owner with an active loan may therefore have no paper title to bring to Florida.
That does not mean the lien or title disappears.
The existing ownership and lien information must still be properly documented so the Florida transaction can be processed under the appropriate procedure.
Florida also operates an Electronic Lien and Title program with specific requirements governing electronic liens and out-of-state lienholders when vehicles ultimately become Florida-titled vehicles.
OFFICIAL REFERENCE — hyperlink "Electronic Lien and Title program":
What Information Is Needed From the Out-of-State Lienholder?
This is where many out-of-state transfers become complicated.
Florida cannot simply assume that a lender holds a title because the vehicle owner says there is a loan.
Depending on the transaction, documentation may need to establish:
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Vehicle year and make
• Registered owner's information
• Out-of-state lienholder
• Outstanding lien/title status
• State where the vehicle is currently titled
• Electronic or physical title status
Florida also provides Form HSMV 83060 — Registration of a Vehicle/Vessel With an Out-of-State Title and Lien — for applicable transactions involving an out-of-state title and lienholder.
OFFICIAL FORM — hyperlink "Form HSMV 83060":
Do I Still Need a Florida VIN Verification?
For many vehicles previously titled or registered outside Florida, yes.
Florida requires VIN verification for applicable vehicles coming into the state.
The required physical VIN examination may be completed by authorized persons, including qualifying law-enforcement officers, licensed motor vehicle dealers and Florida notaries public.
This is an important distinction:
A title company processing paperwork somewhere else in Florida does not eliminate the physical VIN-verification requirement when one applies.
The vehicle itself must be properly inspected by an authorized verifier.
Florida uses Form HSMV 82042 for Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification.
OFFICIAL FORM — hyperlink "Form HSMV 82042":
Can Quick DMV Orlando Come to the Vehicle for the VIN Verification?
Yes.
Quick DMV Orlando provides mobile VIN verification throughout our Central Florida service area.
We can come to eligible vehicles at locations including:
• Homes
• Offices
• RV parks
• Storage facilities
• Dealerships
• Businesses
• Other vehicle locations
This can eliminate a separate trip simply to have the vehicle's VIN physically verified.
What Happens to the Existing Car Loan?
Moving to Florida does not eliminate an existing lien.
If the vehicle eventually receives a Florida title while a valid lien remains outstanding, the lien must be properly addressed as part of the Florida title process.
Florida's Electronic Lien and Title procedures address existing out-of-state liens when a vehicle becomes Florida titled.
Do not assume that getting a Florida license plate means the lender's lien has been removed.
Registration, title and lien are related — but they are not the same thing.
OFFICIAL REFERENCE — hyperlink "Electronic Lien and Title procedures":
What About Florida Auto Insurance?
Florida registration generally requires qualifying Florida insurance coverage.
People establishing Florida residency should arrange the required Florida automobile insurance before completing the applicable title and registration transaction.
If your vehicle is financed, do not cancel existing coverage until you have coordinated the change with your insurer and lender.
Moving a Financed Vehicle to Orlando or Clermont?
Out-of-state transfers involving active loans can be more complicated than ordinary title transfers.
The vehicle may involve:
• An electronic out-of-state title
• An active lien
• A lender holding the title
• Florida VIN verification
• Florida insurance requirements
• Registration-only eligibility
• Florida title paperwork
• Power of attorney when the owner cannot personally process the transaction
Finding these issues before submitting the paperwork can prevent delays and rejected transactions.
Quick DMV Orlando Can Help
Quick DMV Orlando LLC is a private DMV service provider. We are not FLHSMV, a Florida Tax Collector office or another government agency.
We help customers prepare eligible Florida title and registration transactions and provide mobile VIN verification throughout our Central Florida service area.
If you're moving to Florida with a financed vehicle, send us the vehicle information before making unnecessary trips to a DMV or Tax Collector office.
We can review the situation, identify the paperwork involved and explain the next steps for your particular transaction.
Serving Orlando, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Clermont and surrounding Central Florida communities.
Quick DMV Orlando LLC
Mobile VIN Verification • Florida Title & Registration Services • Out-of-State Vehicle Transfers
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