Driving your car to Florida: plates, insurance and tolls
Can I keep my Ontario or Quebec plates?
- Yes. A non-resident visitor can drive in Florida with their provincial registration, with the plate clearly displayed.
- US customs: a non-resident can bring their car for personal use for up to 1 year, as long as they take it back and don't sell it in the US.
- Exception: if you take a job or practise a trade in Florida, the law requires you to register the car in Florida within 10 days. Remote work for a Canadian employer isn't clearly addressed: check if that's your situation.
- Residency: if you become a Florida resident (a local job, kids in public school, registering to vote, more than 6 months in a row), you have 30 days to get a Florida licence.
Car insurance: the 90-day rule
If a non-resident's car is in Florida more than 90 days within 12 months, the owner must keep Florida's minimum coverage: US$10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and US$10,000 of property damage. Florida kept this system in 2026: bills to abolish it died in committee.
Before you leave: call your insurer, give the length of your stay and ask in writing whether your policy meets Florida's requirement and how long it covers you outside your province.
How much liability coverage?
| Item | Ontario | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Your own injuries in the US | Ontario's no-fault benefits apply | Covered by the SAAQ, with limits (if you're away fewer than 183 days a year) |
| Liability to others | Legal minimum of $200,000: raise it before you go | Private insurer: CAA-Québec recommends at least $2M |
| Rental cars | OPCF 27 endorsement | Q.E.F. No. 27 endorsement |
Lawsuits in the US can reach large amounts. Liability coverage of $2M or more is usually inexpensive: ask for a quote.
Tolls: SunPass or toll-by-plate?
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Toll-By-Plate | Toll + US$2.50 fee per monthly invoice, sent by mail | Short stays, few tolls |
| SunPass Mini (sticker) | ~US$4.99, tolls about 25% cheaper | Florida-only stays |
| SunPass PRO (portable) | ~US$14.95, also works on the E-ZPass network | Driving down the East Coast |
| Another state's E-ZPass | Accepted in Florida | If you already have one |
Careful: express lanes (for example I-4 Express in Orlando) require a transponder; toll-by-plate isn't accepted there. With a rental car, the company often adds $3 to $15 a day in toll fees.
Before you hit the road
- Licence, registration and a US-valid insurance card in the car.
- Written confirmation from your insurer for the length of your stay.
- Higher liability coverage.
- Toll transponder ordered and activated.
- Maintenance done: tires, brakes, oil, wipers.
Key takeaways
- Canadian plates and licence: valid for visitors.
- More than 90 days in 12 months: Florida PIP coverage required.
- Liability: at least $2M recommended.
- SunPass: about 25% less than toll-by-plate.
Leave without forgetting anything
The complete checklist: more than 65 items to tick off, from 2 months before you leave until you're back, including the whole car section. 6-page PDF, 2026 rules.
See the checklist ($9)Official sources
- CBP — Importing a motor vehicle
- Florida Statutes — s. 320.37 (non-resident registration)
- Florida Statutes — s. 627.733 (insurance, 90 days)
- FLHSMV — Visiting Florida FAQ
- Florida's Turnpike — Toll-By-Plate
General information only, not legal or insurance advice. Confirm your coverage in writing with your insurer before you leave.