New Florida Law Tightens Requirements for Cuban Nationals Registering Vehicles

Starting this Thursday, registering a vehicle in Florida will require more documentation, significantly impacting thousands of recently arrived Cubans.

Enacted on October 1st, the SB 488 law mandates that a foreign passport alone is no longer sufficient to complete vehicle registration in the state.

Under the previous legislation, individuals could register a car with just a Cuban passport, using a family member or friend's address as their domicile.

These options are eliminated under the new regulation, approved during the 2026 legislative session and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

What are the New Document Requirements?

The SB 488 law now requires applicants to provide two items: satisfactory proof of residence for the department and one of the following three identification documents:

• A valid REAL ID driver's license or identification card issued by Florida or another state.
• A valid United States passport.
• A valid and current foreign passport accompanied by the Form I-94 issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The key lies in the third option: a foreign passport is only acceptable if accompanied by the I-94. Without this form, the document does not meet the requirement.

Who Can Register Their Vehicle?

Cubans holding valid humanitarian parole with an active I-94 in the CBP system can use the Cuban passport plus I-94 combination to fulfill the third requirement. They can verify their I-94 on the CBP's official portal.

The situation is more complicated for those with an I-220A, the order of release under supervision issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

This document is not equivalent to an I-94 or parole, thus failing to satisfy any of the three options set by the law.

Individuals with only an I-220A and no REAL ID or U.S. passport cannot complete the registration process.

It's crucial to note that lacking a REAL ID does not automatically disqualify anyone: if an immigrant holds a foreign passport plus a valid I-94, they can register their vehicle without issue.

The End of Borrowed Addresses

The second major change is the removal of the option to use a relative or friend's address.

Previously, those without an identifiable permanent residence could provide the name and address of a family member or acquaintance residing in Florida. This provision has been removed from the statute.

Now, the application must include the physical address of the owner's permanent residence in Florida or their permanent place of business.

This change particularly impacts those temporarily living with relatives, recent movers, or individuals lacking documents in their name reflecting their current address.

The law does not specify which documents are accepted as proof of residence; it only requires them to be "satisfactory to the department."

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has historically accepted utility bills less than 60 days old, lease agreements, bank statements from the last 90 days, and property tax bills, among others.

Additional Changes Under SB 488

The same law raises the damage threshold from $500 to $2,000, at which point a driver must notify the police following a non-injury accident. If there are injuries or fatalities, the reporting obligation remains regardless of the amount.

It also clarifies that decorative license plate frames are legal, provided they do not cover the alphanumeric number or the registration sticker in the upper right corner.

Additionally, the FLHSMV is authorized to send notifications—including license revocation or suspension notices—via email.

For Cubans in South Florida, the practical advice is to arrive at the tag agency with all documents in order and, when uncertain about immigration status and applicable requirements, consult an immigration attorney before attempting the process.

This change is one of many affecting Cubans arriving in the United States. Stay updated on laws, documents, and procedures in our Immigration in the U.S. section.