DRIVING in FLORIDA + Car Insurance for Brits
2024: Florida gets 1.2 million UK tourists a year, many of whom wish to drive a car while here, so this website gets frequent queries about driving. This resource page was created to answer your questions! Florida has its own driving laws, many differing from other USA states.
► In Florida, no foreigner on a tourist visa can get a driving licence without showing PROOF of Florida residency IN PERSON at an official Florida driver’s center. Find them listed on the state’s only official website www.flhsmv.gov. So visitors from the UK who do not have permanent residency cannot obtain a Florida driver’s licence. British visitors may use their international or UK licence for the 3 months of your tourist visa OR 6 months if you own property in Florida.
► BUYING A CAR IN FLORIDA British visitors on a tourist visa will have difficulty buying a car in Florida. That’s because you can’t get insurance without official proof of residency. Florida car dealers are not allowed to let you drive off without insurance. Contact Trae West Insurance on this page to ask what’s possible in your case. So most UK visitors rent a car each time they come over to Florida. Newcomer resident Brits will pay a higher premium till they get established.
► CAR INSURANCE IN FLORIDA—-FIRST STEP: CONTACT OUR INSURANCE AGENT TRAE WEST FOR THE CORRECT, CURRENT ANSWERS. FABB works with West Insurance Group, based in Ft Lauderdale with a Tampa satellite office. West specializes in auto insurance for Florida Brits, newcomers and longtime residents. Phone office (954) 649-2310 and ask for Trae West. FABB members since 2002. Or email: traew@john-galt.com On subject line put: TO TRAE–British driver query. Or call Trae’s British office colleague there Andrea, on [954] 491-1942 who can advise British drivers in Florida. NOTE: Many British newcomers to Florida over the last 20 years have used Trae to navigate through car insurance and get coverage. We recommend him highly! TRAE says “70% of my clients are Brits and FABB members and our agency will get you insured and advise you how to overcome problems. Many insurance agents will NOT be able to answer your questions on international car insurance. We can!” FYI: Once you’ve settled in Florida, West Insurance also offers homeowners, commercial property, business insurance and workers compensation–all useful for Brits living in Florida.
► FOR FLORIDA PERMANENT RESIDENTS ONLY: HOW TO GET A FLORIDA DRIVING LICENCE: CONSULT THE OFFICIAL STATE OF FLORIDA WEBSITE FOR DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES: www.flhsmv.gov Or phone the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles in Tallahassee on [850] 922-9000 and ask all your driving questions.
► WE RECOMMEND buying a used car from CARMAX. Honest, hassle-free, no haggling over price.
Locations all around Florida on their website www.carmax.com
► US insurance companies do not recognise your past UK driving record, however perfect. When you move here, you start from scratch and must build your credit/driving record and prove your trustworthiness.
► Good News: In Florida it is the CAR not the driver who is insured, so anybody licensed to drive your car is insured, with certain restrictions, of course. NOTE: Florida authorities want to see you in person with your actual proof of residency documents, to obtain a Florida licence.
► FIND ALL ANSWERS ABOUT DRIVING IN FLORIDA ON THE STATE’S OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.flhsmv.gov
Beware of look-alike websites trying to get money from you! ONLY consult this official website above.
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£ TIP: WANT TO SAVE WHEN TRANSFERRING over UK CURRENCY? DON’T USE YOUR BANK! Use Moneycorp. [ I use Moneycorp myself–FABB President.] TO FIND OUT MORE: Phone Moneycorp’s Kelly Cutchin on [863] 207-6616 at their USA HQ in Orlando to ask all your questions. Or email your query to Kelly Cutchin kelly.cutchin@moneycorp.com The pound is unpredictable. That affects all expats in Florida who still have UK dealings. To transfer your precious funds, we highly recommend you use the services of Moneycorp. At lower rates than any bank! This will save you fees and grief, as we Londoners say! What your own bank won’t do is save considerable exchange fees, like Moneycorp. NOW is an advantageous time for you to transfer any funds you have. THE BEST WAY: Moneycorp, the UK company with an office in Florida and droves of satisfied Florida clients. It is the only UK currency exchange company licenced to deal in 50 states. Many expat Brits here have used this currency service for years and report huge savings and satisfaction. Moneycorp’s HQ is in England. Posted by the Florida Association of British Business [FABB]. Moneycorp have been trusted members since 2005.
