License Plates & Registration

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In the state of Florida, all license plates are required to be replaced every 10 years per section 320.06(1)(b), Florida Statutes. Once you have chosen a desired plate(s), see the Motor Vehicle Registrations page to learn how to apply for a license plate and registration. The department’s License Plates Rate Chart (HSMV form 83140) may help you with estimating total fees.

If you are a military service member or veteran, please visit the department’s Military and Veteran Information Section.

For questions regarding motor vehicle license plate tolls or toll violations, please visit the department’s Toll-by-Plate Information section.

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Standard Plates

Standard license plates are metal plates governed by section 320.06, Florida Statutes. Florida offers three standard license plate options including the county name plate (not available in all counties), “Sunshine State” plate and the “In God We Trust” plate, illustrated below.

The below county designation plate is also considered a standard license plate; however, it is only available in some participating counties. Please check with your local tax collector’s office to see if this plate is available.

Sample Plate

Personalized and Specialty License Plates

Most Florida license plates are able to be personalized, and this includes specialty license plates that are also available, to learn more please visit the department’s Personalized and Specialty License Plate section.

License Plate Disposal

For your protection, please remember license plates belong to the state and must be returned if the decal on the plate is unexpired and insurance is not maintained.

You should dispose of Florida license plates via one of the following methods:

In person at a motor vehicle service center; or
Via mail to a motor vehicle service center along with a request to cancel and recycle the license plate; or
In the event that a license plate is lost/destroyed/stolen, please complete this affidavit and mail to a motor vehicle service center.

Why returning plates should be important to you:

Financial Responsibility sanctions can occur once insurance is dropped from the vehicle if the license plate is still actively registered and associated to your vehicle. Failure to surrender a valid license plate when your insurance is cancelled or expires will result in suspension of your driver license.
When you dispose of a plate by turning it into a tax collector’s office you will receive a receipt showing that the plate was surrendered. If the initial registration fee was paid for the vehicle that the plate was on, that receipt can then be used for credit towards a future vehicle registration to keep you from paying the initial registration fee when you purchase a new vehicle.
So that scammers do not attach your plate to their vehicle and go through tolls, red light cameras, or be used on vehicles that are part of a crime. When this happens, the name and address on file will be yours.

Temporary License Plates

Florida law provides for a variety of legal uses of temporary license plates. Temporary license plates may be used for a period of 10, 30, or 90 days according to the purpose for which the plate is issued.

Dealer Use:

The most common use is by motor vehicle dealers to allow customers who don’t have a license plate to transfer to be able to drive their newly purchased vehicle off the lot. This type of temporary license plate is valid for 30 days including the date of issue, which gives dealers ample time to apply for titles and registrations for their customers.

Non-Dealer Use:

Ten (10) day temporary license plates may be issued under the following circumstances:

When a motor vehicle is required to be weighed for registration purposes.
When a motor vehicle/motorcycle is required to have the vehicle identification number verified or the motor vehicle/motorcycle must be inspected to apply for a Florida Certificate of Title or for registration purposes.

Thirty (30) day temporary license plates may be issued under the following circumstances:

Casual or private sale.
For banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions which are not required to be licensed under the provisions of section 27, 320.77, or 320.771, Florida Statutes, but need temporary license plates to demonstrate repossessions for sale.
When a motor vehicle, motorcycle or recreational vehicle is sold in this state to a resident of another state for registration in their home state and is not required to be registered under the provisions of section 320.38, Florida Statutes. Refer to TL-08 for required sales tax information.
When an out-of-state resident, subject to registration in this state, must secure ownership documentation from their home state.
1. Example: An individual from another state is moving to Florida and needs to get their title documentation from the other state to register and title their vehicle in Florida.
For a vessel trailer dealer to issue upon the sale of a vessel trailer.
For use on a commercial vehicle (heavy truck), even carrying a load, if the vehicle remains in Florida. Proof of Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) is required, unless purchased in the first 60 days. If the commercial vehicle is traveling out of state, a trip permit for Internation Registration Plan (IRP) and Internation Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is required. For more information, please visit our Commericial Vehicle Webpage here.

Ninety (90) day temporary license plate may be issued under the following circumstance:

To a customer upon application for a personalized or special license plate, while the license plate is being manufactured.
Customer who is temporarily employed in Florida.

Section 320.131(5), Florida Statutes, any person who knowingly and willfully abuses or misuses temporary tag issuance to avoid registering a vehicle requiring registration commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Section 320.131(6), Florida Statutes, any person who knowingly and willfully issues a temporary tag or causes another to issue a temporary tag to a fictitious person or entity to avoid disclosure of the true owner of a vehicle commits a felony of the third degree.

If you feel you may be eligible for a temporary license plate, inquire at a motor vehicle service center.