Do you have a tag in your name that you are not using? If you do turn it in when you get your new plate if you dont then they will hit you with a "impact" fee for a new plate.

 

I thought impact fees were eliminated a few years ago?

 

No, they got rid of the impact fee for brining a car into the state and said it was unconstitutional, I guess because it singled out people moving to the state. Now they charge a $100 fee for a new tag for everybody If you have an old tag you're not using or there is one in the computer that they can find, you shouldn't have to pay the $100. Do you have the car titled in your name already? If it's titled in your name, you don't need a bill of sale, just tell them that you are ready to put it back on the street and you want to get a tag. They'll want to see insurance and while the title info is in the computer, it may not hurt to take it with you as well. If you've never titled the car in you name, what do you have to show you own it?

Figure on spending around $170 to get a new antique tag if the car is already titled in your name, $70 if you have an old unused tag to turn in (this isn't a tag that has been replaced with a new one, but a tag you actually retired off of an old car, for instance if you used to have three cars and now you have two. We couldn't use Janien's old BJ tag to get out of the $100 on another car because it has been replaced, not retired) Figure on an extra $30 plus sales tax on the purchase price to transfer the title if you haven't already done so but I'm hoping you have because it may get tricky if you've had the car for ten years and haven't done it

 

When you transfer title from another state to Florida you have to have the vehicle inspected by the state or a lisenced dealer. Do you have a Florida title?

 

argh!!! Why does everything have to be so freakin complicated?!

Lets see, is the title in my name?..nope, I never registered the car, nor did the previous owner, so the title is in the name of a guy who last owned the car in 1994.

What do I have to prove i own the car?..Well, other than the car, the keys, insurance, tons of awards from shows, etc I have absolutely nothing. I figured I might have a problem with the declared value but I'm not sure. The NADA has a high retail of about 45K for a 1970 Z/28. Hagertys Insurance had me get an appraisal from some company they use and it was appraised at 60K. I bought it for 25K a few years ago. So do I pay taxes on 25K, 45K, 60K? beats the hell out of me. Do I have that bill of sale you might ask?..nope. Bought it from someone I know very well, knew I wasn't going to be driving it so it didnt seem important. I could always get something from him or just make something up but I just hate bs'ing and jumping thru all kinds of hoops for what seems like a simple situation.


Do I have other plates..nope, I have just pulled one of one of my other cars when I would go out. Understand, this car has less than 250 miles since I bought it. it usually goes on a trailer so no need for plates.

As for the car being inspected. Do either of you know what exactly they are inspecting? I assume I wouldn't have a problem since the car is literally a brand new 1970 Camaro that is 100% stock. Stock to the extent that it won the Camaro nationals legend concourse division at Carlisle and scored way over 950 points for originality. It even has the full functioning smog system still intact and is not modified in any way, shape or form.

I guess I need to plan on this being less than just a quick in and out thing at the DMV, huh?

 

They are just checking the vin to make sure that is really the car the title is for. What state is the title from? Has it been signed off on by the previous owner? Last but definitely not least, is it a conforming title? Meaning, does it have a federal odometer statement included on it where the previous owner signs off? If it's conforming and the person whose name is on the title has signed off aaaaand you are listed as the buyer (not your buddy) you can still get a title and tag pretty easily. If it's not conforming, you are going to have to come up with some sort of bill of sale with an odometer statement to keep the mileage original and documented which I'm sure you want to do. Sales tax is paid on the purchase price of the car, in pinellas it's 7% on the first $5000, 6% on everything above that. Figure $1550 if you go in and tell them you paid $25,000 for it You could always tell them less, but being that it is what it is, I'm not sure how cheap you could get away with. There is a $10 late fee if you don't transfer the title within, I believe, 30 days (that's what it is for dealers). I'd love to see their face when you walk in with a title 11 years after the purchase date. Of course if the purchase date was never filled in, you could have just bought it last week

 

Thanks Bill.

I just spoke to someone at the tax collectors office. I couldnt see their face, but when I told them about the car being last titled in 1994 they said, "um, huh, thats a long time not to have a car titled, does it run?". Once I told him a little of they story though he was very helpful and gave me some advice on how to proceed. Assuming he's right, it shouldnt be a problem.

One thing he did say regarding Antique plates was that ANY car over 30 years old automatically gets the reduced tag fee whether they get an Antique plate or not. He said alot of people dont know that and sometimes their own employees forget.

As for the title. Its from Michigan. the owner did sign it and there is a place for the odometer reading but it is blank. Is that what your refering to? If so, you think I should fill that in before hand? The guy I spoke to didn't mention anything about that.

You've been a big help Bill, I really appreciate it.

 

Dave, read about his car, he wants to document mileage You don't have to claim exempt if you don't want to as long as no one has before you.


Yes, don't have a single thing blank on the title when you take it in or they will throw it back at you and tell you to have a nice day. If all the original owner did was sign it and no other information has been filled out (date of purchase, mileage, purchaser, etc.) I personally would put my current info in as purchaser, current mileage, sign and date it as if I bought it last week, load it on my trailer and head for the tag office (not the one I called for info ) If it is dated, just follow what they told you, but yes, don't have anything blank when you go in, that's a BIG nono...

 

Thanks guys, you've been a big help on this.

Bill, the owner did sign the title but no purchaser info has been filled in so I think I'll do as you suggest on that one

I still can't believe (thou its become obvious its true) that I have to friggin load up the damn car and haul it to the tax collectors office. It's not far from my house so maybe I'll just drive I guess. The guy did say that any dealer or police officer could sign the vin form. Any car dealers or cops want to ride in a cool car?