Why were motor vehicle fees changed?
The new fees were established in law by the 2009 Florida Legislature as part of the annual budget development process for the state. The fees are not established or controlled by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the County Tax Collector, or your local tag agent.
Who receives the fees for my driver license and motor vehicle transactions?
The money collected from fees is primarily used to fund the Department of Education (to teach Florida children), the Department of Transportation (to build roads and bridges) and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (to run the Florida Highway Patrol, Division of Driver Licenses and Division of Motor Vehicles). The majority of the additional moneys resulting from the fee increase will be returned to the State’s General Revenue Fund to be spent in accordance with the legislature’s approved spending plan for the state.
Didn’t the State just raise these fees?
No. The majority of the fees have not been adjusted in many years. For example, original and renewal driver license costs (on an annual basis) have not increased since 1989 (20 years); the majority of motor vehicle registration fees have not increased since 1983 (26 years); and most title fees have not increased since 1985 (24 years).
Does this mean Florida’s new fees are the highest in the nation?
No. Florida’s new fees are comparable to many other state’s fees for similar services. For example: prior to the new law change, base motor vehicle registration on a Honda Accord was $36.75 in Florida, as compared to $242 (Metro Atlanta), $75 (Texas), $78 (Illinois), $230 (California), or $84 (Michigan)
Do I save money with the “Renew for 2” program?
No. However, you do save valuable time spent in our office. To avoid office visits completely, please visit our website payment center to renew car and boat registrations, local business tax receipts or pay property taxes.
What happens if I sell my car before my 2 year renewal is due?
Simple. When you purchase a new vehicle, we will transfer the registration and plate to your new car as long as it is not expired. If you are not purchasing a new vehicle, cancel your registration by returning the license plate to our office (no refunds will be issued).
What happens if I move out of Florida before my 2 year registration renewal expires?
No refunds are issued. You may cancel your registration by returning the license plate to our office.
What do I do if I change insurance companies?
Just as with the one year renewal, when changing insurance companies, check the vehicle ID number on your new insurance card to ensure that it matches the vehicle ID number on your registration. If it is correct, your new insurance company will update your information with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. If it is not correct, DHSMV will not recognize that you have insurance and send a suspension warning to you. Contact your insurance company to correct the vehicle ID number on your insurance card, if necessary.
How do I get a disabled parking permit?
Call the Tax Collector's office at 561-355-2622 or
click here for more information.
How do I purchase a personalized license plate?
Personalized license plates may be issued to any motor vehicle owner or lessee except a vehicle which requires "Restricted," "Apportioned," "Wrecker," or dual (two) truck license plates. Application for Personalized License Plate, Form HSMV 83039 may be submitted in person or by mail to your local tax collector’s office . Personalized license plate choices will be approved or rejected to ensure that obscene or objectionable choices are not processed. The cost is an additional $15 annual fee for each personalized license plate applied for. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. The manufacturer has 60 calendar days (from the date the order is received by manufacturer, not the date the license plate was ordered in the local tax collector's office) to manufacture and ship the personalized license plate. License plates are issued for the current registration period unless application is made during the advance registration period (3 months preceding the owner's birth month or designated registration period). When application is made during the advance registration period and full registration tax is paid, the license plate will expire the following year. Click
here for more information.
How many characters can be on a personalized
license plate?
License plates with a center logo design such as the basic
Florida license plate or the Save the Manatee license plate,
may have up to 7 characters plus either a space or a hyphen.
License plates with a left-side logo design such as collegiate
and sports license plates, may have up to 5 characters with
no additional space or hyphen. Apply at your local tax collector's
office or click here for more information.
How do I purchase a military license plate?
These license plates are issued to individuals who meet a
certain criteria. For example, to be eligible for a Medal
of Honor license plate, the individual must submit proof from
the U.S. Government that they were awarded the Medal of Honor.
All military license plates, except Medal of Honor, are available
at your local tax collector's office.
Medal of Honor applications
and renewals must be sent to:
Division of Motor Vehicles
Neil Kirkman Building
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Direct Mail MS72
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0620
Military license plates can be issued for use only on the
following type vehicles:
Automobile (Private or Lease)
Motor home or truck camper which are not "for hire"
or "commercial" use
Trucks for private use with a net weight 7,999 lbs. or less
Click here to see available military license plates:
I am an amateur radio operator. How do
I get an amateur radio license plate for my vehicle?
License plates may be issued on automobiles (private or lease),
trucks weighing 7,999 pounds or less and all recreational
vehicle type units. Cost is an additional $5 annual fee for
each original Amateur Radio license plate and $1.50 each year
thereafter. Application may be submitted at any time during
the year with a copy of the amateur radio license issued by
the FCC and proof of Florida insurance to your local tax collector's
office. The manufacturer has 45 calendar days (from the date
the order is received by manufacturer, not the date the license
plate was ordered in the local tax collector's office) to
manufacture and ship the license plate. License plates are
issued for the current registration period unless application
is made during the advance registration period (3 months preceding
the owner's birth month or designated registration period).
When application is made during the advance registration period
and full registration tax is paid, the license plate will
expire the following year. Apply at your local tax collector's
office.
Can I transfer my existing Florida license
plate to a new vehicle?
Yes, but only after completing an official transfer at the
Tax Collector's Office. If you can provide proof that the
vehicle from which you are taking the plate was in your name,
and has been traded, sold or disposed of, the $225 Initial
Registration fee will be waived. For any other questions regarding
vehicle registrations or titles, contact the Tax Collector's
Office at 561-355-2622 or click
here for more information.
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