Will it be legal for me to move to another state at my age?

[blankita719]

I transfered my license from NJ to Florida in August and it was a straight transfer. I just handed them my NJ license and they gave me a FL one. I know it depends on the state though!

floridaellen, were you 18 when you did the transfer to a FL license? The point I am trying to make is that Florida has financial responsibility laws which require parental authorization for you to get a FL license. Which you will need in order to prove your residency in the state of Florida. You won't be able to get that until you turn 18. Then you'll still have to wait an additional 12 months to be considered a resident in addition to all of the other things floridaellen posted to prove residency. I have a FL driver's license and I went to college here too.

I'm not telling you not to move to Florida. I've lived here since I was 2 years old. I absolutely love it here. But I'm trying to show you that your plan won't work out as neatly as you seem to think that it will. Does it really hurt anything for you to just wait until you turn 18 to make such a big move? You would make things far easier on yourself if you did.

[floridaellen]

floridaellen, were you 18 when you did the transfer to a FL license? The point I am trying to make is that Florida has financial responsibility laws which require parental authorization for you to get a FL license. Which you will need in order to prove your residency in the state of Florida. You won't be able to get that until you turn 18. Then you'll still have to wait an additional 12 months to be considered a resident in addition to all of the other things floridaellen posted to prove residency. I have a FL driver's license and I went to college here too.

I'm not telling you not to move to Florida. I've lived here since I was 2 years old. I absolutely love it here. But I'm trying to show you that your plan won't work out as neatly as you seem to think that it will. Does it really hurt anything for you to just wait until you turn 18 to make such a big move? You would make things far easier on yourself if you did.

I was 18 so I PMed her a link on the Florida DMV website so she could call the DMV closest to the place she is moving to and ask them about the age factor. The comment about my license was more to answer Trethsparrs' question about whether it's normally a straight transfer or not. Sorry, I should have clarified that! I mostly posted about the college thing and I feel more confident in my answers concerning that because my parents and I researched that a lot before they purchased our house in Florida.

I definitely believe it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to make the move if you're under 18 unless you want to rely solely on your SO for financial support, which is risky, and public transportation if the license doesn't work out, which in my city is downright scary. I would definitely suggest waiting until you're 18, as much as it will suck. It will be worth it to be considered a real adult.

[books]

Well, I can't offer any specific advice on FL laws, but I will say that I actually did move out of my mom's house when I was 17 (actually the day after I finished high school). And when I say move out, I mean on my own...not into a college dorm. I did all of my banking at the local check cashing spot, rented a room in someone's apt (I wound up telling them I was 19 and they never asked for proof), had an under 21 ID which I had obtained when I was 16, and supported myself with a full-time job in retail. So, if you are really determined, sure...it can be done. Just keep in mind that it would be easier to wait until you're 18 (as everyone seems to be saying).