['Registration and Permits - Motor Carrier']
['Vehicle registration exemptions']
07/18/2024
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The following vehicles are exempt from state vehicle registration requirements.
Port vehicles and equipment
Exempt when operated or used within the port facility of any deepwater port of Florida, as listed in s. 403.021(9)(b), for the purpose of transporting cargo, containers, or other equipment:
- From wharves to storage areas or terminals and return to wharves within the port;
- From such storage areas or terminals to other storage areas or terminals within the port; and
- On public roads connecting port facilities of a single deepwater port, as listed in s. 403.021(9)(b), which are designated as port district roads for the purpose of transporting cargo, containers, and other equipment.
The term “port vehicles and equipment” includes:
- Trucks.
- Tractors.
- Trailers.
- Truck cranes.
- Top loaders.
- Forklifts.
- Hostling tractors.
- Chassis.
- Other vehicles or equipment used for transporting cargo, containers, or other equipment.
The term includes motor vehicles being relocated within a port facility or via designated port district roads.
Airport fuel trucks and equipment
These vehicles are exempt from registration, the payment of license taxes, and the display of license plates when operated or used to transport aviation fuel within the airport facility of any public-use airport of Florida.
The term “airport fuel trucks and equipment” includes trucks, trailers, containers, and other vehicles or equipment used for transporting aviation fuel.
Vehicles owned by residents of other states and foreign countries
Reciprocal agreements whereby residents of other states or foreign countries operating motor vehicles properly licensed and registered in their respective states or foreign country may have such privileges and exemption in the operation of their motor vehicles in Florida as residents of Florida whose vehicles are properly registered may have and enjoy in the operation of their motor vehicles in such other states or foreign country.
Golf carts and utility vehicles
These vehicles, as defined in s. 320.01, when operated in accordance with s. 316.212 or s. 316.2126, are exempt from registration or the display of license plates.
A “utility vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed and manufactured for general maintenance, security, and landscaping purposes, but not any vehicle designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property on a street or highway, or a golf cart, or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) as defined in s. 316.2074.
Farm tractors and trailers
Specifically:
- A motor vehicle which is operated principally on a farm, grove, or orchard in agricultural or horticultural pursuits, and which is operated on the roads of Florida only incidentally.
- A vehicle without motive power which is used principally for the purpose of transporting plows, harrows, fertilizer distributors, spray machines, and other farm or grove equipment and which uses the roads only incidentally.
- Either of the vehicles described above that is operated on the roads of Florida for up to three days while moving from an auction site or other place of purchase to the purchaser’s property if the operator has in his or her possession a bill of sale.
This does not exempt farm tractors and trailers from laws relating to the tires used when operating on this state's roads.
Vehicles owned by nonresidents
This exemption applies if the owner has complied with the provisions of the motor vehicle registration or licensing law of the foreign country, state, territory, or federal district of the owner’s residence and conspicuously displays his or her registration number as required thereby.
This exemption does not apply to:
- A foreign corporation doing business in this state;
- Motor vehicles operated for hire, including any motor vehicle used in transporting agricultural or horticultural products or supplies if such vehicle otherwise meets the definition of a “for-hire vehicle”;
- Recreational vehicles or mobile homes located in this state for at least six consecutive months; or
- Commercial vehicles as defined in s. 316.003.
New automobile or truck with title vested in a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or exporter
An exemption applies to registration and display of plates for new automobile or truck the equitable or legal title to which is vested in a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or exporter and which has never been transferred to an ultimate purchaser, if the vehicle is in the care, custody, and control of a vehicle servicing, processing, and handling agency or organization for the performance of such services and the export of such vehicle from the state or its distribution in the state.
Provided, the agency or organization conspicuously displays on the vehicle its name and address on a temporary 5-inch by 12-inch sign that includes the legend “has custody of this vehicle.”
Other
- Traction engines (a steam-powered tractor used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location).
- Road rollers.
- Personal delivery devices and mobile carriers as defined in s. 316.003.
- Special mobile equipment as defined in s. 316.003.
- Vehicles that run only upon a track.
Citations
- Fla. Stat. 320.02 Registration required; application for registration; forms
- Fla. Stat. 320.01 Definitions, general
- Fla. Stat. 320.525 Port vehicles and equipment; definition; exemption
- Fla. Stat. 320.535 Airport vehicles and equipment; definition’ exemption
- Fla. Stat. 320.39 Reciprocal agreements for nonresident exemption
- Fla. Stat. 320.105 Golf carts and utility vehicles; exemption
- Fla. Stat. 320.51 Farm tractors and farm trailers exempt
- Fla. Stat. 320.37 Registration not to apply to nonresidents
- Fla. Stat. 320.371 Registration not to apply to certain manufacturers or others
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