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Buckeye · 08-16-2009, 02:31 PM

While down in FL this week to drop off DH's car and sign our apartment lease (how depressing), we learned that FL automobile registration fees are increasing significantly on September 1. With a copy of the lease, I got my new FL DL and DH got the new address on his (he never switched to OH).

The fee for registering a new (or just new to FL) vehicle in FL is increasing from $100 to $225 on 9/1. We will save $250 if we get the cars registered in August. I know where we will be on August 31st at 8:00 am. We will either be still driving or moving furniture on Friday, 8/28, so we won't be able to go spend a couple of ours at the DMV.

The annual registration fee for locals is going up about 50%. There hasn't been a lot of publicity and we found many people hadn't heard of the increase. It makes sense for some people to renew early and to renew for two years (possible in FL) prior to the increase even if you burn a few months of your current registration.

W2R · 08-16-2009, 02:51 PM

That's quite a savings! I hope the crowds won't be too bad on the 31st.

Buckeye · 08-16-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire

That's quite a savings! I hope the crowds won't be too bad on the 31st.

I guess the problem is that so few people are now moving into FL and paying these fees. Why not double the fees on those who are bringing their $$'s to the state? However long the wait, there is no doubt it's worth it. I'll bring my Ipod and play Peggle or Scrabble.

We had an hour wait to do our licenses starting at 12:20 pm on a Friday afternoon. Their system is pretty efficient but there was a lot of empty desks.

mickeyd · 08-16-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

increasing from $100 to $225

Yikes!! I thought that $85 on my vehicle #2 was a lot especially when I compare it to vehicle #1 which has purple heart plates and costs only $3 annually.

Buckeye · 08-16-2009, 03:35 PM

$225 is for new registrations only. I think annual went up to about $65.

ls99 · 08-16-2009, 04:36 PM

A few years ago when we left Maryland my suburban's 2 year registration was $170 something. Had to do two year registrations, and the most you got back was one year's if terminated early.

For same vehicle PA annual registration is $36.-.

Glad I'm outta there.

JOHNNIE36 · 08-16-2009, 06:28 PM

Funny you should mention this as I'm sitting here looking at my new registration forms. I forgot how much it was this year (something like $45) but for 2010 its going to $95.65 and I can get a two year renewal for $192.30. As mentioned, you have to do this before 9-1-2009 because that's when the new law takes effect. Drivers licenses are also doubling but I can't renew yet as expiration date is Sept of 2011 and the law says it has to be before 2-28-11.

Moemg · 08-16-2009, 06:50 PM

I live in Florida and have heard nothing about this . That is quite an increase .

JOHNNIE36 · 08-16-2009, 07:42 PM

I kind of screwed up my earlier post about the registration fees for the upcoming year. I forgot to mention the most important thing and that is the 50% discount you can get by renewing before 8-31-09. The last line on the renewal notice says "spread the word, vehicles and boats that expire no later than 11-30-09 and drivers licenses that expire no later than 2-28-11 can be renewed by 8-31-09 and pay the lower fee". You can get more info regarding the fee increases at Official Website Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

73ss454 · 08-16-2009, 07:44 PM

In Fla your registration of vehicles go by your birthday. You can't pick when you want to register your car. Let's say your bday is Sept 30th and you reg your car today. You'll pay the yearly fee now and on Sept 30th you'll get to pay it again.

73ss454 · 08-16-2009, 07:47 PM

Oh yeah, the increase is true. I guess the house prices are down and the taxes dropped so they have to figure out a way to get our money. Somehow I know they'll win. Next thing will be an increase in Millage rates on our houses.

Rich_by_the_Bay · 08-16-2009, 07:49 PM

I suspect a lot of states will be instituting similar fees to compensate for lost income and property tax and other revenues. And the states like Fl with no state income tax will be especially interested in other revenue streams.

For me it's a big picture item. If I have to spend an extra $100 a year on registering my car in order to keep schools open and functional, to keep cops on the street and all that during this recession, it's not a show-stopper.

ziggy29 · 08-16-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

I suspect a lot of states will be instituting similar fees to compensate for lost income and property tax and other revenues.

Lost property taxes? You're kidding, right? Almost everyone in our city had a 10% jump in assessment this year (which is a complete crock) AND several tax rates are likely to rise a little bit, too.

Maybe they are actually dropping in Florida (or there are more delinquencies), but around here the tax appraisal districts are in denial about what's really happening.

Buckeye · 08-16-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73ss454

In Fla your registration of vehicles go by your birthday. You can't pick when you want to register your car. Let's say your bday is Sept 30th and you reg your car today. You'll pay the yearly fee now and on Sept 30th you'll get to pay it again.

A two-year renewal today wouldn't take you to September 30, 2011? There's no window for renewal?

Rich_by_the_Bay · 08-16-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy29

Lost property taxes? You're kidding, right? Almost everyone in our city had a 10% jump in assessment this year (which is a complete crock) AND several tax rates are likely to rise a little bit, too.

Tried collecting property tax from someone who is in foreclosure? Or someone who is bankrupt? How 'bout someone who lost his job? In a state which caps property tax increases at 3%.

Yup, lost property tax revenue. It's tough all over. Ours is going up the alloted 3% though our assessment is down 12% (millage rate up, of course).

ziggy29 · 08-17-2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

Tried collecting property tax from someone who is in foreclosure? Or someone who is bankrupt? How 'bout someone who lost his job? In a state which caps property tax increases at 3%.

Like I said -- maybe it's delinquencies, because it sure as hell isn't the property tax bill of many individuals...

JOHNNIE36 · 08-17-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73ss454

In Fla your registration of vehicles go by your birthday. You can't pick when you want to register your car. Let's say your bday is Sept 30th and you reg your car today. You'll pay the yearly fee now and on Sept 30th you'll get to pay it again.

My birthday falls in Sept so I got my "plate" renewal notice in August and will pay it by 8-31-09. According to the notice, if your birthday falls before 11-30-09, you'll have a chance to renew by 8/1 since the new law takes effect 9/1. Guess all that fall into this category will get a notice soon in order to have that chance at renewing before 9/1. I'm not complaining about the price, it's just goes to show that the govment are going to get their money one way or another. I also hear traffic/speeding tickets are way up.

KB · 08-17-2009, 07:33 AM

Buckeye,

I just registered my car in Florida after shipping it from California. While the registration was $100, there were other fees that brought it to about $185. Just wanted to warn you.

My registration expires in October and they didn't offer a second year. Since yours is only 1 month after you'll register your cat, maybe you can renew for the second year.

Buckeye · 08-17-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KB

Buckeye,

I just registered my car in Florida after shipping it from California. While the registration was $100, there were other fees that brought it to about $185. Just wanted to warn you.

My registration expires in October and they didn't offer a second year. Since yours is only 1 month after you'll register your cat, maybe you can renew for the second year.

Thanks for the heads up. We have been writing checks left and right as everyone wants their piece of the move! I'd forgotten how many things there are to switch, rent, buy, redo, etc. when moving, especially when moving yourself. The closing is Friday and I have a severe case of butterflies knowing it's all coming down to the wire with a scheduled departure date of August 26th.