How to Sell a Car in Florida


in Ownership
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Many people, at some point in their lives, will need to sell their vehicle. The process can vary by state, making it very confusing to understand. Those who occupy the sunshine state might wonder how to sell a car in Florida.

Keep on reading to learn more about the process of selling a car in Florida. There are a few steps that you should follow, which we will discuss. By the time you finish reading, you should have a solid grasp of the measures you should take.

Apply for a Demonstration Only Temporary Tag

When understanding how to sell a car in Florida, the Florida Highway Safety website recommends that you first apply for a demonstration only temporary tag. This item will come in handy if you:

  • Want to allow customers to test drive your vehicle
  • Want to protect your car as you show it to potential buyers

If you do not intend to let customers test drive your car, you do not need to do this. Do not go about the process of applying for a temporary tag if you do not need to.

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Prepare Materials to Transfer the Title

Once somebody purchases the car, you will need to transfer the car title inside of the DMV. There are a few items that you will need to have prepared to do so. You can prepare these ahead of time so that you save time when the moment comes.

According to etags.com, some of the materials you will need to transfer the car title over to the new owner includes:

  • Your driver’s license
  • Proof of insurance
  • Loan documentation that has been approved
  • Any payments that you will need
  • The vehicle itself
  • Application for Title
  • Notice of Sale
  • Odometer reading

Some of these can only happen once you find a buyer. However, many of them can be filled out, completed, or prepared before anything is finalized. Looking into each of these will save you a good deal of time once you are ready to complete the sale.

Though unlikely, these requirements could change. Ensure that you keep up to date with them on the official Florida DMV website. This way, you will be prepared.

Satisfy Any Existing Liens

A lien is a claim on a vehicle put in place if you have taken out loans to pay for the car. Before you can sell the car, you will need to satisfy any liens that exist. If you don’t do this, you can run into a lot of trouble later down the line.

To sell the car, you will need to pay off the lien and obtain a release. There is no way around this necessary step. Of course, if you do not have any liens, this does not pertain to you. You can carry on.

Complete a VIN if Necessary

A VIN inspection is required if the vehicle was not titled in Florida. This situation might happen if you are selling a car that you purchased in another state. In this instance, a Vehicle Identifications Number and Odometer Verification should come into play.

This paper needs one of these items to be accepted:

  • Verification by a Florida notary public
  • Verification by a law enforcement officer
  • Verification by a licensed Florida motor vehicle dealer
  • Verification by a Florida FLHSMV compliance officer

Verification by any of these will ensure that the car is suitable and legal for selling in Florida. If your vehicle was titled in Florida, you can skip this step and move on.

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If you choose to advertise your car, you will need to understand the requirements in Florida. There are things that you can and cannot do. For instance, you cannot:

  • Park your vehicle in a public location
  • Put your car on private land for sale without the owner’s permission
  • Give your car to a company to sell that does not have an official license to do so

Research the ways that you can legally advertise your car. This method might be on a website, marketplace, or in a newspaper. Don’t risk legal action or destroying your car by parking it somewhere that it should not be.

Complete the Process in Person

Once you have a buyer for your car, you will need to complete the rest of the selling process in person at the DMV. There, a worker can assist you with turning over the ownership of the vehicle and sorting everything out. It is critical that, when understanding how to sell a car in Florida, both you and the buyer need to be there.

There will be some fees that must be paid for this to occur. You can talk with your buyer and discuss who will pay for what. You might split it evenly, or you can take on most of them yourself. Having quality discussions with the buyer before you arrive at the DMV will make the process move much smoother than if you wait until the last minute.

Remove the License Plate

Once the car is sold, you will need to remove the license plates. These stay with you. The buyer will need to get their plates for the car. Generally, you can keep these plates. You should only turn them into the DMV if:

  • You are moving to a new state
  • You cancel the insurance that goes with that plate

Otherwise, you should keep the plates. The most critical thing is to ensure that you take them off of the car.

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File Form HSMV 82050

Form HSMV 82050 is one of the most critical steps when understanding how to sell a car in Florida. This item is vital to keep you safe from any liabilities that might occur after the sale. It removes your name and registration from the vehicle and moves the responsibility over to the buyer. This paperwork is the absolute last step that you should take. 

If you don’t file Form HSMV 82050, you could potentially be held accountable for the actions of the buyer. Your name is still attached to the vehicle. File this once you are done selling the car. From here, you can step away and relinquish the ownership to the person buying it from you.

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