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Florida
Auto Insurance Law |
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Florida Car Insurance Law, FAQ
I am registering a vehicle for the first
time in Florida. Is automobile insurance mandatory?
Yes. If you own a vehicle with at least four
wheels and are registering it, you must have insurance.
What type of insurance is required to
purchase and maintain a Florida tag and registration?
Florida's minimum coverage is $10,000
personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) as
long as you have a valid Florida tag, even if the vehicle is in another state
or inoperative. There are no exemptions in the law. However, 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).
What is "Personal Injury Protection"
insurance (PIP)?
PIP is coverage that will compensate a loss
due to injury regardless of who is charged with causing the crash. PIP applies
to bodily injury to you, relatives who live in your home and passengers who are
not required to have PIP, as well as licensed drivers who drive your vehicle
with your permission. PIP insurance also protects you if you are injured as a
pedestrian or bicyclist as long as the injury is caused by an accident
involving a motor vehicle.
What is " Bodily Injury Liability"
insurance? (BIL)
Bodily Injury Liability coverage pays for
serious and permanent injury or death to others when you cause an accident
involving your automobile. Your insurance company will pay for injuries up to
the limits of your policy and provide legal representation for you if you get
sued. In particular, your company pays for injuries caused by you or members of
your family who live with you, even if they were driving someone else's
vehicle. It may also cover others who drive your automobile with your
permission. This coverage also provides you with legal defense in the event you
are sued by the injured party.
What is "Property Damage Liability"
insurance? (PDL)
This coverage pays for damages you or members
of your family cause (and are liable for) to other people's property in a crash
involving a motor vehicle.
What is meant by "Florida Coverage"?
Florida coverage is an insurance policy
delivered or issued for delivery in Florida by an insurance company licensed by
the Florida Department of Insurance.
Can I maintain my current policy issued in
my previous state of residence?
No. The minimum required insurance must be
issued through a Florida agent with an insurance company licensed to sell in
Florida. Most insurers have Florida agents and are licensed to issue policies
in Florida. Just ask your agent to transfer your current insurance to Florida
when you register a vehicle in Florida.
What if I fail to keep insurance on my
vehicle that I’ve registered in Florida?
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles is authorized to suspend your driving privilege, including your
vehicle tag and registration, for up to three years or until proof of Florida
insurance is provided, whichever is first.
If my driving privilege is suspended
because I am not properly insured, is there a penalty to reinstate my license?
Yes. A reinstatement fee of $150 up to $500,
for subsequent violations, must be paid and you must provide proof of current
Florida insurance.
I live outside Florida for six months a
year. When not in Florida, my vehicle is in storage and not used. Must I
maintain automobile insurance?
Yes. Any vehicle holding a valid Florida tag
and registration must be covered by a Florida insurance policy throughout the
entire registration period. When you leave Florida, you may surrender your tag
and registration at the nearest driver license or tag office to avoid
maintaining your policy. You can always register your vehicle upon your return
to Florida, at which time you can provide proof of Florida insurance.
I am not a resident of Florida but I have
business that keeps me in Florida sometimes for several months at a time. Must
I comply with Florida's insurance laws?
Yes. Any person who has a vehicle in Florida
for more than 90 days during a 365-day period must purchase personal injury
protection and property damage liability insurance coverage. The 90 days do not
have to be consecutive.
I own multiple vehicles. Some are not used
for different reasons, but the county I live in requires that the vehicles
remain registered. Must I maintain insurance coverage on these vehicles?
Yes. Insurance coverage must be maintained
throughout the entire vehicle registration period.
What can I do to avoid a driving privilege
suspension when I choose not to insure a vehicle?
To avoid a driving privilege suspension,
surrender the vehicle's tag and registration at any driver license or tag
office, prior to canceling your insurance policy.
If my driving privilege is suspended for
no insurance, will I be granted a temporary driver license for working
purposes?
No. There is no provision in Florida's motor
vehicle insurance laws for the issuance of any sort of temporary or restricted
driver license for financial responsibility suspensions.
I am self-employed as a taxi driver and
the only vehicle I own is used as a taxicab. Must I carry automobile insurance?
No. Vehicles used as taxicabs and limousines
are exempt from the mandatory personal injury protection and property damage
liability insurance coverage. However, if you cause a crash, and you do not
have full coverage including bodily injury liability at the time of the crash,
you must purchase insurance with full liability coverage and meet other
requirements. |
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Obtaining Your Florida
Driver's License or Identification Card |
United
States Citizens
Florida law
requires identification, proof of date of birth and social security number (if
issued) from all customers before a driver license or identification card can
be issued. Each U.S. citizen who applies for an original driver license or
identification card must submit:
One of the
following (3) documents:
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Original or
certified United States
birth certificate,
including territories and District of Columbia; or
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Valid United
States passport; or
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Certificate
of Naturalization
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Effective
April 10, 2002, United States Military ID cards with an officer rank will be
accepted as proof of citizenship only; however, not as proof of primary
identification.
-
NOTE: Proof
of citizenship or legal presence may be required for renewal, duplicate or
replacement licenses. Please come prepared to present one of the above
identification documents as proof of citizenship or legal presence.
And a
secondary document, which substantiates the primary document, is required.
Document may include, but is not limited to, the original or certified copy of
one of the following:
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School
record stating date of birth, which must contain the registrar’s signature.
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Transcript
of the birth record filed with a public officer charged with the duty of
recording certificates.
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Baptism
certificate, which shows date of birth and the place of baptism.
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An insurance
policy on the customer’s life which has been in force for at least two years
and has the month, day and year of birth.
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United
States military or military dependent identification card.
-
Effective
April 10, 2002, United States Military ID cards with an officer rank will
be accepted as proof of citizenship only; however, not as proof of primary
identification.
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Florida or
out-of-state driver license, valid or expired.
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Florida
license record or identification card record.
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Selective
Service Registration (Draft Card).
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Florida
Vehicle Registration certificate (HSMV 83399, owner’s copy) obtained from the
tax collector’s office where the customer’s vehicle was registered, Florida,
or out-of-state registration certificate, if name and date of birth are
shown.
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Florida and
out-of-state non-driver identification cards (state issued).
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Receipt copy
of your last Florida driver license issuance.
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Immigration
form I-571.
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Federal form
DD-214 (military record).
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Marriage
certificate.
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Court order,
which includes legal name.
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A Florida
voter registration card, which was issued at least 3 months previously.
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Personal
identification by an examiner or by a person well known to the examiner.
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Social
Security Card.
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Family bible
record or birth announcement in baby book.
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Parent
consent form of minor.
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Out-of-country driver license or identification card, government issued
United
States Citizens With Out-of-State Licenses
Any person who holds a license or identification card from
the District of Columbia, United States Territories or one of our 50 states
(with the exception of those listed below) may present his/her license or ID
card as primary identification document. An approved
secondary identification document
is also required. A social security number, if issued, MUST be included on the
application.
Important
Note: Driver licenses
from the following states
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Alaska
Connecticut
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
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Iowa
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
New Jersey
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North
Carolina
Oregon
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas
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Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
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are
acceptable as secondary identification and to reciprocate driving privileges,
and must be accompanied by one of the following:
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Original
or certified United States
birth certificate
(including territories and District of Columbia)
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Valid
United States passport (not expired)
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Certificate of Naturalization.
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Effective
April 10, 2002, United States Military ID cards with an officer rank will be
accepted as proof of citizenship only; however, not as proof of primary
identification.
Name Change
for United States Citizens
If you have
legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must submit the
original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order. No
photocopies will be accepted unless certified by the issuing authority.
Non-United
States Citizens
Original
Driver License or Identification Card Florida law requires identification,
proof of date of birth and social security number (if issued) from all
customers before a driver license or identification card can be issued.
Immigrants
Each immigrant who applies for an original driver license or identification
card must submit:
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Alien
Registration receipt card, (Green card, Form I-151 or I-551); or
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I-551 stamp
in passport or on I-94; or
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Immigration
Judges Order, with the customer's A-number, granting asylum; or
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I-797, with
the customer's A-number, stating the customer has been granted asylum; or
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I-797 or
another form from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, with
the customer's A-number, stating the customer's application for Refugee
status is approved; or
Non-Immigrants
Each non-immigrant who applies for an original driver license or identification
card must submit:
-
Employment
authorization card issued by the United States Department of Justice (Form
I688B or I-766); or
-
Proof of
nonimmigrant classification provided by United States Department of Justice
(Form I-94, not expired, with required supporting attachment(s). If in doubt
regarding required documents, please bring all of your INS documentation with
you.). I-94s must be accompanied by a Passport. Certain classifications
require additional documentation. Some examples are:
-
F-1 and
M-1 classification must also be accompanied by an I-20.
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I J-1 or
J-2 designation must be accompanied by an IAP-66.
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Refugee,
asylee and parolee classifications must be accompanied by additional
documentation.
The following
documents will only be accepted with a supporting document, including but not
limited to a Passport, Florida Driver License or Identification Card, Driver
License from any other state, Employment Authorization Card, Employer
Identification, Identification from home country, Identification from school or
college, Social Security Card or other INS document.
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I-571 Travel
Document/Refugee Travel Permit
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I-512 Parole
Letter Accepted
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IJO- Asylum
or Cancellation of Removal - Immigration Judges Order granting Asylum or
Cancellation of Removal.
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All
required and supporting documents MUST be original or certified.
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Documents
must be valid for more than 30 days from the date of issuance.
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Non-U.S.
citizens applying for an original driver license will be issued a 30-day,
no photo, paper temporary permit and a receipt. Non-U.S. citizens applying
for an identification card will be issued a receipt.
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All
records are transmitted to our database in Tallahassee, where the
information will be examined and run against FDLE, FBI and INS databases.
-
Upon
identity and legal status verification, a driver license or identification
card will be issued within 30 days from Tallahassee, mailed to the address
on the driver record. The license or identification card will be issued for
the period of time specified on the INS document.
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If a
problem is detected, a denial of issuance letter will be mailed to the
customer.
Canadian
Citizens
Under federal
law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S.
without obtaining INS documentation. Canadians without INS documents must
provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or
identification card by presenting two of the following documents:
-
Canadian
passport
-
Canadian
driver license
-
Original or
certified Canadian
birth certificate
-
Canadian Naturalization Certificate
All Canadian citizens will be issued an original or renewal
driver license for two calendar years from the date of issue.
If you are not
a Canadian citizen and have a Canadian driver license, you are required to
provide the same
proof of legal presence
as any other non-U.S. citizen.
Renewals,
Duplicates or Replacements for Non-United States Citizens
-
Any
immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs a
renewal, duplicate or replacement driver license or identification card must
apply in person at a
driver license office
at least one time after March 1, 2002, and re-present his/her
identification
documents required
by Florida law.
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Any
non-immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs a
renewal, duplicate, or replacement driver license or identification card must
apply in person at a driver license office and present identification and
legal presence documents.
-
If you do
not have the required documents showing legal presence, your driver license
or identification card will be retained and a receipt issued. If you have an
unexpired driver license, you will be issued a 30-day temporary permit. When
you return with the required documentation, you will be processed for a
renewal, duplicate or replacement license and the expiration date will be
changed to the expiration date on your INS document.
Name Change
for Non-United States Citizens
-
If you have
legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must have your name
changed on your CIS documents. A receipt from CIS indicating form I-90 has
been filed for a name change is acceptable for a name change on your driver
license or identification card.
-
Canadian
Citizens: If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order,
you must have your name changed on your Canadian license, and/or passport
before applying for a name change on your driver license or identification
card.
Non-United
States Citizens Issuance Offices
Beginning June 1, 2002 all
customers - regardless of their citizenship status - may go to any Division of
Driver Licenses office in Florida to apply for or renew a driver license or
identification card. |
Small Gas and Electric Scooters
Motorized Scooters (Go-peds) and Mopeds
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Is a driver license required to operate
mopeds, small gas and electric scooters and go-peds?
You are required
to have a valid Florida operator’s (Class E) driver license to operate a
motor vehicle on any public street or road in
Florida. Gas operated scooters, mopeds,
go-peds and similar vehicles and electric
scooters all meet the Driver License Law definition of motor vehicle. See
Section 322.01(26), F.S. (2003).
Most of these
motorized vehicles were not originally designed for street use in regular
traffic mix and, for safety reasons, should not be operated on streets or
in traffic. However; if they are operated on a public street or road,
a minimum of a regular Class E operator license is required. The
operator must be at least 16 years old to obtain a Class E driver license.
See Sections 322.03(1), 322.01(26) and 322.05(1), F.S.
Are tags and registration required for
mopeds, small engine scooters and go-peds?
Mopeds
are required to have a tag and registration per Section 320.0803, FS.
However, small
gas operated or electric scooters or motorized scooters such as go-peds are
NOT required to be registered. They fall under the tag and registration
laws in Section 320, F.S. Therefore they cannot be registered or issued a
tag.
Is it legal to operate motorized scooters
(Go-peds), gas or electric scooters on
sidewalks?
Vehicles other
than those operated by human power are prohibited on sidewalks and bicycle
paths except for Electric Personal Assistive
Mobility Device. See Sections 316.1995 and 316.2068, F.S.
Are you required to wear a helmet & eye
protection to mopeds and scooters?
If a motor
vehicle has an engine size of 50 cc or less, 2 brake horsepower or less,
and cannot exceed more than 30 mph on level ground, no helmet is required
for the operator. The operator must be at least 16 years old and hold at
least a regular operator driver license (Class E). Passengers under 16
must wear a helmet. See Section 316.211, F.S.
Where can motorized
scooters be operated without a license?
Please check
your city and county ordinances for restrictions and contact your attorney
for advice . |
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