Hello Florida owners
I live in Chicago and I'm thinking about buying a car from a private party in Florida. I was wondering what do I need to worry about as a buyer, what are the fees, what documents I need, and are there any possible surprises that may come up? Also, what does the seller need to do when selling a car to someone out of state? Do they need to report me to some tax collector, so I pay taxes on it in Florida? I called the DMV in Florida and was told that I would have to pay Florida taxes (6% of the sale price) and register the car under my name in Florida, even though I'm out of state, in order to get a temporary plate that would let me drive the car to Illinois. Then when I get home, I would have to pay taxes again. In my opinion someone at the DMV must have been smoking something, because as far as I know, you should pay taxes based on where you live. I really don't feel like paying over $1000.00 to get a temporary Florida plate that's good for 10 days, and then pay money again in Illinois. To me it makes no sense . I thought that the only thing the buyer has to do is sign the title and hand it over to me and then I handle everything at my home state. Can someone help me out and guide me a little .

Thank you

 

I know almost nothing about the paperwork, but definitely keep an eye out for cars that have been abused, neglected, or aggressively "stanced" lol. Where at in Florida are you looking to buy from?

 

Fort Lauderdale area.

 

Yeah, definitely give it a good look then

But I think all you need is a bill of sale from the FL side. Hit up the IL DMV for what they think. I remember hearing something about being able to drive a car home without a tag as long as you can prove you just purchased it (BoS) but not sure if that's true or was just a Key West courtedy thing


What part of Chicago?
<-- Glenview, Riverside, Addison, Bolingbrook person

 

All you need to do is go to your dmv and get a temp tag. Drive the car to what ever state your in. Then pay the tax there when registering the car.

 

I bought my S in VA while living in FL. You pay taxes and everything in the state you live/register the car in. If you are driving the car back then you would need to get a temp tag from IL. Call your local dmv and they'll help you out better than FL one bc they only know FL laws and trust me after 12 years in FL they have some stupid laws down here.

 

That's what I was thinking. Just get the signed title and do everything in IL. For some reason FL wants me to title the car there in order to get a temporary 10-day plate??? Two different people at the DMV have told me that.


I graduated from Addison Trail work in the city and live west of Addison ...small world

 

That was the original plan, but they want to charge me about $1000.00 in taxes and fees . It doesn't seem right to me .

 

Illinois DMV told me to get the title from FL seller before driving there (have it mailed to me) and they will issue me regular IL plate and registration on the spot. Otherwise I have to pay the fees FL wants to charge me ...or I can ask the seller to let me drive home on FL plates.

 

BTW, why are you guys all saying to give it a good look? Are cars in Florida cursed? Does anybody want to check out the car for me?