Florida License PlatesA Florida license plate is a rectangular, metallic plate attached to vehicles that displays a unique combination of letters and numbers known as a license plate number. This license plate number is linked to the vehicle it is attached to. It serves to identify the vehicle and its owner (or lessee) and ensure their compliance with vehicle registration and taxation laws.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is responsible for issuing license plates and ensuring compliance with the state's motor vehicle laws. Under Florida law, automobiles, motorcycles, RVs, trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, truck tractors, and any other types of motor vehicles operating on public roads in Florida must have a license plate attached. These license plates typically have to be fastened to the vehicle's rear. However, commercial trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,001 must display two license plates – one at the front and the other at the rear. Likewise, truck tractors are required to display their license plate only on the front of the vehicle.
The FLHSMV offers a diverse range of license plates, which can be grouped into four main categories:
The FLHSMV typically issues registration cards and decals (stickers) together with license plates. This registration card should always be in the vehicle. Likewise, you must affix the decal to the upper right-hand corner of your license plate; this decal indicates the expiration date of your vehicle's registration.
Florida License Plate Design and FormatsFlorida license plates are made from reflective metal sheeting; the inks used for printing are also reflective and designed to be UV fade-resistant. These plates typically follow a standard format and design consisting of several key components:
Standard license plates:
Special license plates (Environmental - Endless Summer):
Special Requirement License Plate (Legislative)
* Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Florida Vanity License PlateIn Florida, vanity plates (also known as personalized plates) are specialty license plates that allow vehicle owners to customize their license plate numbers. These custom combinations often reflect the owner's name, interests, hobbies, or personal messages. This combination can have 5 – 7 characters (4 - 6 for motorcycles) and can include a space or a hyphen as one of these characters.
You can order personalized license plates in person at the FLHSMV's local motor vehicle service centers located across the state. Note that you may need to book an appointment before visiting some of these centers. You will also need to provide the following documents:
The FLHSMV provides a personalized license plate inquiry service that you can use to determine the availability of your desired license plate configuration. Utilizing this service before taking a trip to your local motor vehicle service center is advisable. Note that the department can refuse any license plate combination it deems objectionable or obscene. Approved plates are typically manufactured and delivered to your county tax collector's office or license plate agent within six to eight weeks.
The cost of obtaining a Florida vanity license plate varies based on the plate type, design, and number of plates requested; however, you can expect to pay anywhere from $67.55 to $81.40 per plate. This does not include branch service fees (not all counties charge this) and a delivery fee if you request that the plates be mailed to you. The FLHSMV also charges an additional $15 annual fee per personalized plate alongside your regular vehicle registration renewal fees.
Most Popular Florida Special Plate NumbersThe Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offers over 100 specialty license plate options to vehicle owners looking to support or show affiliation to a cause or organization. The most commonly requested specialty license plate themes/designs in the state are:
Florida License Plate LookupA license plate lookup is a process that involves using a license plate number to obtain information about a vehicle and its registered owner. Some common reasons for looking up license plates include:
A Florida license plate lookup will typically provide information like
Be aware that a license plate lookup will not provide personal information on a vehicle owner, like names, addresses, and telephone number. This information is only disclosed to law enforcement officials or an authorized party that needs this information to perform a specific, recognized task.
You can initiate a license plate lookup with the FLHSMV by completing and submitting Form 90510 to this department at the address provided at the top of the form. Note that requests may take up to two weeks to process. Depending on the kind of information you wish to receive, you may need to provide a VIN, vehicle title number, or driver's license number. The department also provides an online motor vehicle check search; you will have to input the vehicle's title number or VIN to access this.
You also have the option of conducting a reverse license plate search at RecordsFinder or any other similar third-party website that offers this service. With these websites, you can easily search for and access detailed vehicle information and history reports, all from the convenience of your own home. Please note that these reverse license plate searches will only provide non-personal information on the vehicle's owner, as required by Florida law.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in Florida?Florida license plates are issued by the state's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). To get a license plate, you will need to register your vehicle with the FLHSMV. Initial registrations must be done in person at any of the department's local service centers (note that some service centers will require you to book an appointment). You will be required to submit the following documents:
Your license plates will be manufactured and delivered to you or made available for pickup at your chosen service center once your vehicle's registration is completed. The processing time for manufacturing and delivering these plates varies based on your location and the completeness and accuracy of your registration.
You can get more information on the FLHSMV's license plate issuance process by calling its Customer Service Center at (850) 617-2000 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. You can also contact the customer service center by submitting an email form online. Note that it may take up to three business days to get a response when you utilize this option.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and a Commercial License Plate in FloridaUnder Florida's Motor Vehicles Law, a commercial vehicle is any vehicle that fits the following criteria:
Vehicles that fit these criteria are typically issued a Special Requirement License Plate. On the other hand, private-use and for-hire vehicles (any vehicle used for transporting people or goods in exchange for compensation that does not fit the definition of a commercial vehicle) are issued standard license plates. The vehicle owner may subsequently request a specialty or personalized plate.
The table below summarizes the main distinctions between passenger license plates and commercial license plates in Florida:
| Features | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Use |
|
Commercial activities (must weigh more than 26,000 or have up to three axles) |
| Plate number arrangement |
Six-character alpha-numeric combination for standard plates: (ABC D12), (A12 3BC), (12A BCD), (123 4AB), (AB1 2CD) * personalized plates may have less than seven characters |
Six-character alpha-numeric combination: (A12 34B), (ABC 123) (ABC 12D) (A12 34B), (A1234B) |
| Design & Color |
Green lettering with a white background with an image of an orange blossom over the state map in the middle * design variations available for specialty and personalized plates |
Same as passenger (standard) license plate * may have design/color variations for specific vehicle types |
| Vehicle Types | Cars, SUVs, vans, personal trucks, etc. | Heavy trucks, trailers, truck tractors, wreckers, etc. |
| Requirements for obtaining |
* Additional documentation based on the type of vehicle |
Same as passenger license plates * Heavy trucks may be required to pay an additional Heavy Vehicle Use Tax |
How to Renew License Plate in FloridaVehicle registration (and, by extension, license plates) in Florida has to be renewed every one or two years; registrants typically choose their preferred validity period at the time of their initial registration. They can also change this period during subsequent registration renewals. Registrations can be renewed up to three months before the registration expiration date, which is usually the vehicle owner's birth date. Note that, per state requirements, you must replace your license plates every 10 years.
The FLHSMV offers registrants three renewal/replacement options:
Be aware that individuals with registration stops involving toll violations cannot renew their registration or replace their license plates until they resolve these issues.
Your vehicle type and weight usually determine your registration renewal fees. Registrants who renew online or via mobile app are also charged an additional processing fee per transaction. New registration cards are typically mailed 7 – 10 business days after the renewal request is successfully submitted – registrants who choose to renew via mobile app are usually sent a digital document that they can use until their cards are delivered.
Contact the FLHSMV's Customer Service Center at (850) 617-2000 if you have yet to receive your registration card 20 calendar days after successfully applying for a registration renewal.
How to Transfer a License Plate in FloridaThe Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles permits vehicle owners to transfer license plates from an old vehicle to a new one under the following conditions:
License plate transfers must be done in person at a local FLHSMV service center. You may be required to provide supporting documentation, such as the old vehicle's registration and proof of identity, and pay a transfer fee.
Inquiries concerning license plate transfers can be directed to the FLHSMV at (850) 617-2000. It is important to note that transferring your license plate without appropriately informing and getting approval from the FLHSMV is considered a second-degree misdemeanor.
Florida License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Even though motor vehicle records, driver's license records, and vehicular crash records are considered public information under Florida law, the state also adheres to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act. This act restricts access to vehicle registrant's personal information contained in these records and limits those who can obtain this information.
As such, unless you are a law enforcement officer or towing company, you can only legally find a vehicle's owner in Florida using a license plate number if the person has given you written permission to access their personal information.
However, with RecordsFinder, and other similar websites, you can get non-personal information on vehicles and their registered owners, such as the vehicle's make and model, registration status, and accident history. Through these websites, you can effortlessly retrieve information on over 269 million registered vehicles across the US by providing either the vehicle's plate number or VIN.
Yes, the Florida Department of Highway Services and Motor Vehicles issues replacements for lost license plates. Requests for replacement plates must be made in person at a local service center. You must also provide the following documents:
Replacement fees vary based on your location, vehicle type, and the kind of plate that was lost. In situations where your license plate was stolen, the replacement fee may be waived if you submit a police report that cites the stolen item.
Law enforcement agencies are authorized to access a wide range of information on motorists (including motorcyclists) in Florida when they run their license plates, such as:
License plate searches are a convenient way to check a vehicle's history and access information like its mileage, lien status, past accidents (if any), and salvage records. Many individuals rely on these services to confirm the authenticity of claims made on a used vehicle they intend to purchase and ensure that it is not being sold with a cloned VIN.
You can perform reverse license plate searches for Florida-registered vehicles via websites like RecordsFinder to get information like the vehicle's VIN, title information, and history.
Under Florida law, your license plates must be replaced every 10 years. However, within this period, you must renew your registration with the FLHSMV; you may choose to do this annually or biennially. You must renew this registration by midnight of your birthday every year or every two years, depending on its validity period, and the FLHSMV does not offer a renewal grace period. Statutory penalties for driving with expired registration include:
The FLHSMV also imposes an additional delinquent registration fee on registrants who fail to renew their registration by the 11 calendar day of the month after the registration's expiration month.
You must surrender your license plates to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles if you intend to:
License plates can be returned in person at the FLHSMV's motor service centers. You can contact your local service center to determine their specific requirements and whether they have additional options for returning these plates.
Remember that your license plate is tied to your registration. Failing to return your plate makes you liable for violations or crimes committed with them if they fall into the wrong hands since your name and address will appear when the plates are run. You can also have your driver's license suspended if your plates are still actively registered when you cancel your insurance or if it (the insurance) expires.
You cannot keep your Florida license plate when moving to another state; you must surrender it to the Florida Department of Highway Services and Motor Vehicles. Consequences of failing to do this include:
You can return your license plate by booking an appointment with a FLHSMV local service center and dropping the plate off there in person. Some centers offer mail-in and drop-box options for returning license plates; confirm this when booking your appointment and also find out if they have any specific requirements for returning license plates through them.
Standard Florida license plates are 12 inches long x 6 inches wide. However, motorcycle plates have a reduced dimension of 7 inches long x 4 inches wide.
There are several kinds of temporary license plates legally available in Florida, and the validity of these temporary tags is determined by the purpose for which they are issued:
Contact a local motor vehicle service center to find out if you are eligible for a temporary license plate and the requirements for obtaining this plate.
Be aware that using a temporary license plate for seven days or less is considered a nonmoving violation, punishable by a $30 fine. Using expired temporary plates for more than seven days is a moving violation and carries a mandatory $60 fine.
Florida license plates must be replaced every 10 years; you must also renew your registration annually or biennially. While the FLHSMV may send you a renewal notice indicating your registration expiration date and pending issues, they are not required to do so. It is your responsibility to make sure that your registration is renewed on time. You can do this by taking the following steps:
You should take the following steps if you lose or damage your Florida license plate or decal:
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