I might be moving out to Florida for a new job and I was wondering what kind of smog or vehicle inspections are done out there. I live in Cali now and my car is 100% legal out here, well other than the front window tint.

Well, Florida is probably one of the easiest states to live in when it comes to cars. There is no inspection, there is no emissions/smog test (there used to be in the mid 90s). The only thing I can think of is they do a VIN check and a quick walkaround when you go to the tax collectors to get it titled/registered/plates. expect to pay around $250 to do all of that (includes a $100 new wheels in FLA program).

The only thing I do to my car (besides insurance) to keep it legal is pay $36/year to get that lil yellow registration sticker for the rear plate.

I have 15% tint all around. State law is 27%, but they do not bother people (unless you have 5% limo tint), I've never been pulled over for tint or questioned about it for almost 6 years now. They can pull you over if an officer deems your car not roadworthy,(ie. no headlights), but I've seen hoodless/doorless cars hauling down I-4.

Good luck and welcome to FLA, just in time for hurricane season.

Thanks for the info. What does the VIN check intale and do you know how long I have untill I have to have the Florida plates on my car? Also do you have to have a plate on the front of your car? Also is the $36 a year for the reg sticker a flat fee or is it baised off the vehicles year like it is out here?

the VIN check is just someone that comes outside to the parking lot and compares the VIN on the dash to the one on the now out of state title/lease/finance you will show them. There are no front plates. $36 (or was it 38?) is a flat yearly fee, unless you have a personalized/vanity/specialty plate. The send you a postcard, renew online, and 3-5 days later its in your mailbox. You have to go CA->FL qwithin 10 days? or 30 or 15, but who's keeping track?

You do need to get insurance at least 10/20/10 recommend un/underinsured before you do all of this. I think you have to get the FL drivers license too. $20. hand in your old one. eye exam (read the letters), and say cheese for the camera. 15 mins later you are walking out with a FL Drivers license. Make sure you make appointments for everything. Stand by lines are 1-3 hours!!! Unless you drive out to the DMVs in the sticks.

Heres a link to fill in any gaps. (also where you can do everything from make appointments and get a license)

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/

Otherwise its a lot easier than it sounds.

the VIN check is just someone that comes outside to the parking lot and compares the VIN on the dash to the one on the now out of state title/lease/finance you will show them. There are no front plates. $36 (or was it 38?) is a flat yearly fee, unless you have a personalized/vanity/specialty plate. The send you a postcard, renew online, and 3-5 days later its in your mailbox. You have to go CA->FL qwithin 10 days? or 30 or 15, but who's keeping track?

You do need to get insurance at least 10/20/10 recommend un/underinsured before you do all of this. I think you have to get the FL drivers license too. $20. hand in your old one. eye exam (read the letters), and say cheese for the camera. 15 mins later you are walking out with a FL Drivers license. Make sure you make appointments for everything. Stand by lines are 1-3 hours!!! Unless you drive out to the DMVs in the sticks.

Heres a link to fill in any gaps. (also where you can do everything from make appointments and get a license)

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/

Otherwise its a lot easier than it sounds.

Thanks for all the info. I'll probably find out for sure if I'm moving out there by the end of the week.