Does an Owner-Operator Between Leases Need a Florida Trip Permit to Run Empty?

Does an Owner-Operator Between Leases Need a Florida Trip Permit to Run Empty?

Table Of Contents

• Introduction

• What a Florida Trip Permit Is

• Running Empty Between Leases

• When a Florida Trip Permit Is Needed

• How to Get Your Florida Trip Permit

• Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Why Many Trucking Companies Choose Our Service

• FAQ

Introduction

When a lease ends, many owner-operators still need to move the truck. They may be heading home, driving to a new carrier, or looking for the next job. That raises a common question: does an empty truck need a Florida Trip Permit?

The answer depends on how the truck is registered and what the driver plans to do once it reaches Florida. In many cases, the safest and simplest way to keep the truck legal is a Florida Trip Permit. This guide explains how the rules work for empty trucks and when you need a permit before you roll.

What a Florida Trip Permit Is

A Florida Trip Permit is a temporary permit for a vehicle that is not apportioned for Florida under the International Registration Plan (IRP). Under Section 320.0715, Florida Statutes, Florida may issue a trip permit for a vehicle that could lawfully operate in Florida if it had full or proportional registration.

Here is what you should know:

• It is valid for ten (10) days.

• It covers one specific vehicle. The permit is not valid for any other truck.

• You can receive it electronically, so the driver can get it on the road.

• It costs $105 when you order through Florida Trucking Online.

The statute also states that a motor carrier is solely responsible for the proper use of the permit by its employees and lessees.

Running Empty Between Leases

Florida law does include a narrow exception for some owner-operators who are between leases and running completely empty. That exception applies only when the owner-operator is not operating as a lessor, and the truck's registered gross weight does not exceed its empty (unladen) weight. Florida also recognizes this type of between-leases credential when the driver's own base jurisdiction issues it.

The exception is limited, and it ends the moment your situation changes. A new lease, a load, or a missing credential means the empty-truck exception no longer protects you. That is why many owner-operators choose a Florida Trip Permit instead. It covers the truck whether it runs empty or loaded, so you won't get caught between permits when a new job comes up.

When a Florida Trip Permit Is Needed

You need a Florida Trip Permit when your truck is not apportioned for Florida, and any of the following applies:

• You sign a new lease. Once you operate under a lease, the between-leases exception no longer applies.

• The truck is loaded. The exception only covers a vehicle at its empty or unladen weight.

• You have no valid between-leases credential. Without one, an empty truck that is not apportioned for Florida needs a trip permit.

• Your plans may change. If you might pick up a load in Florida, a trip permit keeps you covered from the start.

How to Get Your Florida Trip Permit

1. Check Your Registration. Confirm whether Florida is on your IRP cab card. If it is not, you need a permit to operate in the state.

2. Gather Your Truck Details. Have the VIN, plate number, unit number, and USDOT number ready.

3. Pick Your Start Date. The permit is valid for 10 days, so time it around the day your truck enters Florida.

4. Place Your Order. Order online through Florida Trucking Online, and our team will review it before issuing it.

5. Carry the Permit. Keep a copy available for the driver during the trip.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Picking up a load without a permit. An empty-truck exception never covers a loaded truck.

• Signing a lease and continuing to run. Once you are leased, you need proper credentials before moving.

• Letting the permit expire mid-trip. Check the 10-day window before you leave.

• Using one permit for another truck. The permit is only valid for the vehicle listed on it.

• Entering Florida with incorrect details. A wrong VIN or plate can make the permit invalid at inspection.

Why Many Trucking Companies Choose Our Service

Florida Trucking Online makes ordering a Florida Trip Permit simple when your truck is ready to run loaded or under a new lease. Our team reviews each order and helps catch common errors before they cause delays.

We provide 24/7 support and work weekends and holidays, so owner-operators can get help when a new lease or load comes up at short notice.

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FAQ

• Do I need a Florida Trip Permit to run empty between leases?

  If your truck is not apportioned for Florida and you do not qualify for the narrow between-leases exception, yes. A trip permit is the simplest way to stay covered.

• Does the empty-truck exception cover a loaded truck?

  No. It only applies to a vehicle at its empty or unladen weight.

• How long is a Florida Trip Permit valid?

  Ten (10) days.

• How much does a Florida Trip Permit cost?

  Through Florida Trucking Online, it costs $105.

• Can I use one Florida Trip Permit for two trucks?

  No. The permit is only valid for the vehicle listed on it.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.