Starting this Thursday, registering a vehicle in Florida requires more documents than before, and the change directly impacts thousands of newly arrived Cubans.
The SB 488 law, which goes into effect this October 1, establishes that a foreign passport alone is no longer sufficient to complete the vehicle registration process in the state.
Under the previous legislation, it was possible to register a car by presenting only a Cuban passport and using the address of a family member or friend as the residence.
Both options will disappear with the new regulation, approved during the 2026 legislative session and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
What documents does the law now require?
The SB 488 requires the applicant to present two elements: a satisfactory proof of residence for the department and, in addition, one of these three forms of identification:
- A valid driver's license or REAL ID identification card issued by Florida or another state.
- A valid and current U.S. passport.
- A valid and active foreign passport accompanied by the valid Form I-94 issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The key lies in that third option: the foreign passport only works if it is accompanied by the I-94. Without that form, the document does not meet the requirement.
Who can and who cannot register their car?
Applicants who have a valid foreign passport and an unexpired Form I-94 can use both documents as one of the identification options required by law, in addition to providing satisfactory proof of residence for the department. The I-94 can be verified on the official CBP portal.
The situation is more complicated for holders of I-220A, the order of supervised release issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This document does not equate to an I-94 nor does it, on its own, satisfy any of the three identification options established by law.
Those who only have an I-220A, without a REAL ID, valid U.S. passport, or the combination of a valid foreign passport and an unexpired I-94, would not meet the identification options outlined in this section of the law.
It is important to clarify that not having a REAL ID does not automatically exclude anyone: if the applicant has a valid foreign passport accompanied by an unexpired I-94, they can meet the identification requirement, provided they also present an accepted proof of residence by the department.
The law eliminates the option to use a family member or friend's address
The second significant change is the removal of the option to use a relative's or friend's address.
Previously, individuals without identifiable permanent residency could provide the name and address of a family member or acquaintance residing in Florida. That provision has been removed from the statute.
Now the application must include the physical address of the owner's permanent residence in Florida or that of their permanent place of business.
This particularly affects those who are temporarily living with relatives, have recently changed residences, or do not have documents in their name that reflect their current address.
The law does not specify which documents are accepted as proof of residence; it only requires that they be "satisfactory to the department."
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has historically accepted utility bills that are less than 60 days old, lease agreements, bank statements from the last 90 days, and property tax bills, among others.
Other changes of SB 488
The same law raises the damage threshold from 500 to 2,000 dollars at which a driver must notify the Police after an accident with no injuries. If there are injuries or fatalities, the obligation to report remains in effect regardless of the amount.
It also clarifies that decorative frames for plates are legal, as long as they do not cover the alphanumeric number or the registration sticker in the upper right corner.
It also authorizes the FLHSMV to send notifications—including those for revocation or suspension of licenses—via email.
For Cubans in South Florida, the practical advice is to go to the tag agency with all documents in order and, if there are any doubts about immigration status and applicable requirements, to consult with an immigration lawyer before attempting the process.
Este cambio es uno de los muchos que afectan a los cubanos que llegan a Estados Unidos. Sigue todas las novedades sobre leyes, documentos y trámites en nuestra sección de
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