When should I use the odometer exempt page?
Use this page when your boat sale in Florida fits a odometer exempt scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Odometer exempt — Florida
Florida Boat bill of sale for odometer exempt
Complete your Florida boat bill of sale for a odometer exempt transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
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What to know about odometer exempt sales in Florida
Under 49 CFR § 580.17 as amended in 2021, the age exemption is two-tier: vehicles of model year 2010 or older are exempt (the old 10-year rule), but model year 2011 and newer vehicles are exempt only once they are 20 or more model years old — a 2011-or-newer vehicle that is merely 10+ years old still requires full odometer disclosure. You still must not knowingly falsify mileage. Even if federally exempt, some states have their own mileage disclosure requirements — document the known odometer reading in the bill of sale regardless.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Boat make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any odometer exempt-specific disclosures required in Florida.
Seller guidance
For electronic titles, both parties must appear in person at the county tax collector or license plate agency to execute HSMV 82092, the Florida form for non-dealer (private party) electronic title reassignments on odometer-exempt vehicles; because it does not require an odometer reading, it is the correct form when the vehicle is odometer-exempt. Do not use HSMV 82092 if the vehicle is not exempt — in that case both parties must use HSMV 82994 (Motor Vehicle Title Reassignment Supplement), which requires a full odometer disclosure statement and is available to both private parties and dealers. For paper titles, either leave the odometer disclosure section on the back of the certificate of title blank or write 'EXEMPT' in the odometer field — both are acceptable under DMS Procedure TL-09.
Buyer guidance
Verify the model year and confirm which age-tier applies before closing — the threshold is 10 years for model year 2010 and older, or 20 years for model year 2011 and newer. Even when no odometer statement is legally required, ask the seller to note current mileage on the bill of sale for your own records.
Florida-Specific Note
Florida codifies odometer disclosure requirements in § 319.225, Florida Statutes, which mirrors the federal two-tier exemption framework under 49 CFR § 580.17. Vehicles of model year 2011 or newer are exempt from disclosure only after 20 model years; vehicles of model year 2010 or older are exempt after 10 model years. Vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 pounds and non-self-propelled vehicles are also exempt. A seller who fails to make a required odometer disclosure — the relevant risk for a seller who incorrectly treats a non-exempt vehicle as exempt — faces a second-degree misdemeanor under §§ 775.082 or 775.083, Florida Statutes, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Legal considerations
Florida codifies odometer disclosure requirements in § 319.225, Florida Statutes, which mirrors the federal two-tier exemption framework under 49 CFR § 580.17. Vehicles of model year 2011 or newer are exempt from disclosure only after 20 model years; vehicles of model year 2010 or older are exempt after 10 model years. Vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 pounds and non-self-propelled vehicles are also exempt. A seller who fails to make a required odometer disclosure — the relevant risk for a seller who incorrectly treats a non-exempt vehicle as exempt — faces a second-degree misdemeanor under §§ 775.082 or 775.083, Florida Statutes, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Florida Boat transfer fees and requirements
In Florida, the title transfer fee is $75.25 and registration costs $14.50 - $32.50 based on vehicle weight. Boat sales are subject to 6% state sales tax plus discretionary county surtax (up to 1.5%). Florida does not require notarization for private-party boat transfers. Florida does not require emission testing for private-party boat sales.
- Electronic title program (no paper titles for lien-free vehicles)
- Title must be transferred within 30 days
- Sales tax applies to purchase price or NADA value, whichever is higher
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles handles registration
Florida sales tax on boat purchases
Florida has a 6% state sales tax rate. 6% state plus county discretionary surtax (0.5–1.5%). Private-party boat sales in Florida are subject to sales tax. Tax based on purchase price or NADA book value, whichever is higher. The title transfer fee is $75.
Boat market data and safety information
The most common boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Boats average 1.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Steering.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used boat
Before completing a boat bill of sale in Florida, verify these safety items:
- Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents
- Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
- Inspect transom for softness or rot — the most expensive structural repair
- Test all bilge pumps, navigation lights, and required safety equipment
- Confirm USCG-required PFDs, throwable cushion, and visual distress signals are present
- Verify fire extinguisher is current and properly sized for vessel length
- Test carbon monoxide detector function on cabin boats
- Confirm kill-switch lanyard operation cuts engine immediately
Boat insurance and depreciation in Florida
Boat insurance averages $200–$500/year for boats under 26 ft. Agreed-value policies are preferred over actual-cash-value. Boats depreciate 30–40% in the first 5 years. Aluminum fishing boats hold value better than fiberglass sport boats. Peak season for private boat sales is early spring (march–may) ahead of boating season, with an average of 45 days on market.
Boat registration and titling
Boats are classified as "Watercraft (state-registered) or USCG-documented vessel" for registration purposes. Boats are measured by length, not weight, for registration. Trailers have separate weight-based registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to boats.
Safety tips for odometer exempt boat transactions
When completing a odometer exempt boat sale in Florida, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common boat recall categories are Fuel System, Electrical, Steering. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for odometer exempt boat sale in Florida
- Confirm the vehicle qualifies: model year 2010 or older, OR model year 2011+ and 20+ model years old, OR GVWR over 16,000 lbs
- Check your state's mileage disclosure rules — some exceed the federal minimum
- Record the actual known mileage in the bill of sale voluntarily
- Note on the bill of sale that odometer disclosure is exempt under 49 CFR § 580.17
- Retain a copy of the bill of sale showing the exempt-disclosure notation
- Confirm model year against the correct age threshold: 10-year rule for MY 2010 and older, 20-year rule for MY 2011 and newer
- For electronic titles on odometer-exempt vehicles, both parties must appear in person at the county tax collector to execute HSMV 82092 — the form PDF is available at flhsmv.gov for review, but the transfer itself requires in-person execution
- For paper titles, write 'EXEMPT' in the odometer disclosure section or leave it blank — both are accepted per DMS Procedure TL-09; do not estimate or guess a mileage figure
- Complete the title transfer at the county tax collector within 30 days of delivery of the vehicle (or consummation of the sale if that occurs later), per Florida Statute § 319.23(6)(a)
Need the printable workflow?
Use the main Florida boat bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Florida Boat bill of saleThe Private Vehicle Sale Market
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
Other Florida boat sale situations
Frequently asked questions
Why does the odometer exempt scenario have its own page?
Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a odometer exempt transaction specifically.
What should be included in this bill of sale?
Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the odometer exempt transaction.
What are the Florida fees for a odometer exempt boat transfer?
Florida charges a $75.25 title transfer fee. Registration costs $14.50 - $32.50 based on vehicle weight. Sales tax: 6% state sales tax plus discretionary county surtax (up to 1.5%). Notarization is not required for most transfers.
What boat makes are most commonly sold in Florida?
The most popular boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$75,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a odometer exempt boat sale in Florida?
Florida has a 6% state sales tax rate. Tax based on purchase price or NADA book value, whichever is higher
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