Were you aware that in the Fall 2024 the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles changed their rules on what forms of identification were acceptable for a customer to register a car, RV, or trailer in Florida?
For those of you selling to customers using their passports, you now need more than just a valid passport, if the passport is from another county, it must include a stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security. You can still accept an unexpired I-94 or current permanent resident card.
Additionally, customers must now supply two proofs of residences that show the customer’s name and their address. If the customer cannot provide two proofs of residence, you can use a “Certifier” this is someone the customer lives with who can provide two proofs of residence but must also provide a Certification of Address form.
If a customer requires a “Certifier” be aware that the first form of proof must be a Deed, mortgage statement, or lease that evidence of the Certifier’s residence.
There were some concerns raised regarding whether a Dealer could still sell a vehicle or trailer as title only. I reached out to Brett Saunders, the Chief of the Bureau of Dealer Services, he confirmed that a Dealer can sell a Trailer without a registration and note the file that it was title only because the Buyer could not legally register the trailer (vehicle.)
Best practice however, with in state sales, is to ensure that you have the proper documentation to sell, and register the vehicles, RV’s or Trailers before they leave your dealership so you do not exposure yourself to any type of liability.