License Plates & Placards

In a world where everyone wants to show his or her individuality, specialty license plates have become more and more popular with Florida drivers. Whether you want to save the whales, honk for family values, or just get a wheelchair-accessible parking place, the state has a plate for you. Check them all out at once in this license plate brochure.

Wheelchair License Plates

The most common kind of specialty license plate is the wheelchair plate, which you can obtain by request at your local county tax collector's office. You must have already been approved for a disabled parking permit to request the plates. See Drivers With Disabilities on this site for more information about disabled parking permits.

Once you receive the new license plate, you'll need to turn in your old one. The new plate will have the same expiration date as the previous one, no matter when you acquired it. You'll still need to renew the registration on this plate annually or biennially.

License Plates for the Cause

Perhaps the ideal time to switch from regular to specialty plates would be at the time that your five-year license replacement cycle comes around, but if you can't wait another year to show your love for the manatee, then you can get the new plates at your renewal for a fee of $10, plus the specialty plate fee for the cause you're supporting.

The state's Web site offers a complete list of specialty plates, along with fees and a photo for each. Just for fun, check out the 2007 Specialty Plate Rankings to see which designs were most popular throughout the Florida.

Antique Plates

Your vehicle must be at least 30 years old to qualify for antique plate status.

To receive the plates, bring your current registration with you to a county tax collector's office.

Personalized License Plates

If you want to send a message that's all your own, you can apply for a personalized license plate. You can check online first to see if the plate you want is available. If it is, you fill out the application and submit it to your local county tax collector's office. The application will need to be reviewed and accepted to ensure that no obscene or objectionable words or phrases are being used.

If it's accepted, you should be able to pick up the new plate at your county tax collector's office in about 45 days. You'll need to surrender your old plate at that time. The personalized plate costs $12 per year, in addition to regular renewal and/or other specialty plate fees.

When Will the Plates Expire?

License plates expire in six years. You'll still have to renew your vehicle registration during this time.

Disposing of Old License Plates

To properly dispose of a license plate on a vehicle that is no longer being used, do one of the following:

• Mail the plate and a request to cancel and recycle the plate to:
  • Division of Motor Vehicles
  • Neil Kirkman Building
  • Mail Stop 63
  • Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500
  
  

• Bring the plate into your local county tax collector's office and request cancellation of the plate.