If you are stationed along the Gulf Coast—whether at NAS Pensacola, Corry Station, NAS Whiting Field, Hurlburt Field, or Eglin AFB—thank you for your service! Because Pensacola is a massive military hub, our team at Allen Turner Hyundai works with service members every single day.
One of the most common questions we get from our military customers is: "I am active-duty military stationed in Florida, but my home of record is in another state. How do auto taxes and registration work?"
The great news is that buying a car as a non-resident military member is highly flexible, and our experienced Finance Center team handles all the heavy lifting for you. Here is everything you need to know about navigating vehicle registration, sales tax, and military exemptions in Florida.
As an active-duty service member stationed in Florida, you have a unique privilege: you can choose whether to register your new vehicle in Florida or keep it registered in your Home of Record (your home state).
Many out-of-state service members choose to register their cars locally for convenience. If you decide to get Florida license plates, the state offers a fantastic perk: an exemption from the $225 Initial Registration Fee.
To waive this fee, you simply need to fill out the Initial Registration Fee Exemption Affidavit (HSMV Form 82002) and provide a copy of your current military orders. You will still be responsible for standard title and annual plate renewal fees.
If you prefer to maintain your home state residency and license plates, you absolutely can! When you buy a new Hyundai or used vehicle from Allen Turner Hyundai, our team uses a specialized out-of-state registration system. We will calculate your home state’s exact fees, process the paperwork, and mail the documents to your home state's DMV. Your new plates and registration will simply be mailed directly to your Florida address.
The general rule of thumb for vehicle sales tax is that you pay the taxes for the state where the vehicle will be registered.
To ensure a smooth, headache-free process, bring the following items with you to the dealership:
For hyper-local rules or additional resources, you can always check out the Escambia County Tax Collector's Military Information Page.
At Allen Turner Hyundai, we pride ourselves on being the go-to dealership for the Pensacola military community. To show our appreciation, we proudly offer the Hyundai Military Program, which provides a $500 Bonus Cash incentive toward the purchase or lease of select new Hyundai vehicles. This can be combined with other current factory incentives to get you an incredible deal.
Don't let out-of-state paperwork stress you out—we do this every day. If you have any specific questions about your home state's registration process or want to schedule a test drive, contact us today or stop by our showroom in Pensacola!
