At Auto Tags of North Broward, we know it can be easy to get so caught up in the excitement of the purchase that you forget about two important things -the car registration and the car title. While they may sound similar, these are two different but equally important documents that your car must have. Whether you are buying it new, second-hand, getting it as a gift or inheritance, your car must have a title and registration issued by/identifiable by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Let’s take a look at each of these documents and what they mean for your vehicle.
What is a car title?
A car title is a form of identification containing all the required information about your car such as the model and make, year of registration, lien, and history of damage/sale of the car. Cars are all identifiable by the specifications of the title attached to them. These specifications are what sum up the different types of car titles such as clear title (new, no damages, no liens, etc.), salvage title, and bonded title, among others. With the information on a car title, you can bargain a better deal when buying or selling a car. As a matter of fact, the car title is an essential part of the transaction if you are not buying a new car because it can help you know if you are getting the right value for your money. It is the number one proof of ownership that you can present before authorities or potential buyers as the car title bears the name of the current owner/lien.
What is a car registration?
Car registration is simply enlisting your car into the state directory for identification and validation. All vehicles operating on roads in Florida must be registered with the FLHSMV. For vehicles registered outside Florida, they must be registered within 10 days of the owner moving to, getting employed in, or having children in a public school in Florida.
For a car to be considered registered in Florida, it must have;
A registration certificate must be present in the vehicle at all times.
A number plate matching the number issued on the registration certificate and decal.
A registration decal, which is a sticker placed in the upper right-hand corner of the plate. The decal comes with the registration certificate.
To complete your car registration, you need to have;
Your valid driver’s license (out-of-state owners need to obtain a license in Florida)
Proof of identity (if there is more than one owner, all owners must present proof of identity)
Proof of insurance in Florida
A completed application for car title/your out-of-state title
A completed VIN and odometer check
Then you pay the associated fees at the Florida county tax collector’s office before getting validation for your registration.
If you need to get a car title or speed up your title transfer process in Florida, Auto Tags of North Broward offers consultation, registration, and title services that are in line with the regulations of the FLHSMV. Don’t waste your time at the Deerfield Beach DMV when you can stop by North Broward Auto Tags. We specialize in North Broward tag renewal, Deerfield Beach tag and title, and we are a premier Deerfield Beach tag agency. Stop by or give us a call to learn how to get started. You can start your online renewal here or learn more about what we do on this page.
To learn more about the difference between car titles and registration, check out these resources for yourself: