Jacksonville buyers can shop dealers across Duval County and neighboring Clay and St. Johns counties. We compare them, negotiate, and watch for Florida’s uncapped dealer fees, which must be included in any advertised price.
Car Concierge is a licensed auto broker and car buying concierge based in Minnesota, working for buyers in Jacksonville and across the country. We don’t take money from dealers. You pay one flat fee, and our only job is getting you the right vehicle at the best price.
How our car buying service works for Jacksonville buyers
- Tell us what you’re looking for, your budget, and your timeline, by phone or through our contact form.
- We search dealer inventory around Jacksonville and nationwide, and bring you the best options with real pricing.
- We negotiate the price and check the buyer’s order for markups, add-ons, and fees before you sign.
- You sign and pick up locally, or we arrange delivery through our auto transport service.
Taxes and fees for Jacksonville car buyers
Here’s what Jacksonville buyers should expect on a dealer purchase. Rates were checked against official sources in October 2026 and can change, so confirm with your local office before you buy.
- Sales tax: Duval County levies three half-cent surtaxes, for a 1.5% county surtax and a 7.5% combined rate in 2026, with no change for 2026. Because the surtax applies only to the first $5,000, it adds at most $75 to a car purchase.
- How Florida taxes vehicles: Florida charges 6% state sales tax on a vehicle purchase, plus the discretionary sales surtax of the county listed as the buyer’s residence on the title or registration. The county surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of the sale price, so it adds at most $50 for each 1% of surtax.
- Trade-in credit: Yes. When you trade in a vehicle to a registered Florida dealer in the same transaction, the trade-in allowance is deducted from the taxable sales price.
- Dealer doc fees: Florida does not cap dealer fees, but any predelivery or dealer fee must carry the printed disclosure that it “represents costs and profit to the dealer,” and a dealer’s advertised price must include every fee the buyer has to pay except taxes, tag, registration, and title fees. Dealer preparation and closing fees are also subject to sales tax.
- Title and registration: A buyer must transfer the title within 30 days to avoid a $20 late fee, and new residents must register an out-of-state vehicle within 10 days of starting a job, enrolling children in public school, or establishing residency. FLHSMV charges a $225 initial registration fee when the owner has no plate to transfer, and an electronic title costs $77.25 for a new vehicle, $85.25 for an original title on a used vehicle, or $75.25 for a transfer, plus $2.50 for a paper title and $2 to record a lien.
Registration and inspections in Duval County
Where to title: Title and register at a Duval County Tax Collector branch, where you can book an appointment online or use the “Join the Line” feature for same-day service. Dealers usually handle the paperwork for you..
Inspections: Jacksonville has no safety or emissions inspection. A used car coming from out of state needs a VIN and odometer verification (HSMV 82042) before it can be titled in Florida.
Good to know in Jacksonville
- The Tax Collector opened its St. Johns Square branch at 11160 Beach Blvd. on August 10, 2026, replacing the Kernan and Hogan branches.
- The First Coast Expressway (SR 23) through Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties uses all-electronic tolling, and SunPass rates are about 25% lower than Toll-By-Plate, which adds a $2.50 administrative fee to each invoice.
- Florida’s lemon law rights period runs 24 months from the date the new vehicle was first delivered to the consumer.
Buying from another state
If you buy out of state and register the car in Florida, you owe Florida use tax plus your county surtax. Florida credits sales tax lawfully paid to another state, so if you paid 4% elsewhere, you owe the 2% difference plus any surtax. We handle the logistics and make sure the dealer’s paperwork matches your home state’s rules.
What it costs
Our service is a flat fee: $900 for Standard Concierge, $1,000 with trade-in help, and $1,200 for luxury vehicles over $120,000. You’ll know the total up front. See pricing for details.
Jacksonville car buying FAQs
Duval County levies three half-cent surtaxes, for a 1.5% county surtax and a 7.5% combined rate in 2026, with no change for 2026. Because the surtax applies only to the first $5,000, it adds at most $75 to a car purchase.
Yes. When you trade in a vehicle to a registered Florida dealer in the same transaction, the trade-in allowance is deducted from the taxable sales price.
Florida does not cap dealer fees, but any predelivery or dealer fee must carry the printed disclosure that it “represents costs and profit to the dealer,” and a dealer’s advertised price must include every fee the buyer has to pay except taxes, tag, registration, and title fees. Dealer preparation and closing fees are also subject to sales tax.
Jacksonville has no safety or emissions inspection. A used car coming from out of state needs a VIN and odometer verification (HSMV 82042) before it can be titled in Florida.
Yes. We search dealers nationwide and can arrange delivery through our auto transport service. If you buy out of state and register the car in Florida, you owe Florida use tax plus your county surtax. Florida credits sales tax lawfully paid to another state, so if you paid 4% elsewhere, you owe the 2% difference plus any surtax.
We charge a flat fee: $900 for Standard Concierge, $1,000 with trade-in help, and $1,200 for luxury vehicles over $120,000. We don’t accept dealer compensation.
More cities we serve
We also help buyers in Orlando, FL, Tampa, FL, Miami, FL, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. See all service areas, or learn how our car negotiation service works.
Get started
Ready to buy your next vehicle in Jacksonville without the dealership hassle? Schedule a consultation or call 612.662.7788. Want to see the other markets we serve? Browse all service areas.
Sources: Florida DOR: Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for 2026 (DR-15DSS); Florida DOR: Sales and Use Tax on Motor Vehicles (GT-800030); FLHSMV: VIN and Odometer Verification (HSMV 82042); Duval County Tax Collector: St. Johns Square branch opening; FLHSMV: Duval County service locations; FDOT District 2: First Coast Expressway; Florida DOR: Sales and Use Tax on Motor Vehicles (GT-800030); Florida DOR: Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for 2026 (DR-15DSS); Florida DOR: Discretionary Sales Surtax brochure (GT-800019); FLHSMV: Fees; FLHSMV: Motor Vehicle Registrations; FLHSMV: Buying from a Private Sale; FLHSMV: VIN and Odometer Verification (HSMV 82042); Florida Statutes 501.976 (dealer practices); Florida Statutes 681.102 (lemon law definitions); Federal Register: Florida removal of motor vehicle I/M rules.