A registration is evidence of having paid the registration tax and fees on a motor vehicle. It consists of a metal license plate, a validation decal, and a registration certificate.

In the state of Florida, a motor vehicle is required by law to be registered within ten days of the owner either becoming employed, placing children in public school, or establishing residency. Registering your motor vehicle goes hand in hand with the titling process.

If registering a vehicle in person, submit the original title, proof of Florida insurance to the license plate agency.

A vehicle registration may be duplicated at any License Plate Agency.

Affix the decal in the square space provided in the upper right hand corner of the Florida license plate.

 

Section 320.06(1)(b), Florida Statutes, requires six-year replacement of all license plates. The replacement is necessary because license plates must be fully reflectorized to ensure visibility for law enforcement purposes. The vendor of the reflectorized sheeting, 3 M Company, recommends replacement after six years because the reflectorized sheeting shows reduced light reflection at night after six years although the appearance during the day may appear to be fine.

The term "new wheels" does not appear in the law. Section 320.072, Florida Statutes, requires a fee of $225 to be imposed upon the initial application for registration on certain motor vehicle registration transactions. Whether the vehicle is new or used doesn't matter. Basically, the fee is due on any private-use automobile, any lightweight truck, or any motor home unless the vehicle being registered is a replacement for a vehicle that has been disposed in the same category of vehicles.

Section 320.07(4)(a), Florida Statutes, specifically requires the delinquent fee to be imposed on any applicant who fails to renew a registration before the end of the month in which renewal registration is due.

The delinquent fee is applied beginning on the 11th calendar day of the month succeeding the renewal period.

The exact expiration date is shown on the current registration certificate; therefore, the registered owner should be well aware of when their registration expires.

Florida law provides for a variety of legal uses of temporary license plates. The most common 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. The license plates are valid for 30 days, which gives dealers ample time to apply for titles and registrations for their customers.

If you are not a dealer, but you have acquired another vehicle and transferred your license plate from your old vehicle to the new vehicle, a temporary license plate may be obtained from the local tag agency so you may demonstrate your old vehicle while it is for sale.

Non-residents also are eligible to secure a temporary license plate for "in-transit" purposes if they purchase a vehicle in Florida and want to drive it back home. However, proof of insurance (from Florida or home state) and sales tax in the amount required by the home state must be paid. If you feel you may be eligible for a temporary license plate, inquire through your local agency that serves your area.

Lease cars cost more to register and renew registration because of the taxing structure in Section 320.08(6)(a) Florida Statutes, which states motor vehicles "For Hire" under 9 passenger pay $12.50 flat fee plus $1 per cwt (100 pounds). Section 320.08(6)(b), Florida Statutes states motor vehicles "For Hire" with 9 passenger and over pay $12.50 flat fee plus $1.50 per cwt (100 pounds).

Section 320.02(12), Florida Statutes, requires registration or re-registration to be withheld on any motor vehicle whether the owner or co-owner of the vehicle has a suspension against the driver license. It appears that it was the intent of the legislature for fines and parking violations to be paid regardless which co-owner committed the violation.

Section 320.14(1), Florida Statutes, requires the full amount of the license tax to be imposed or charged for the registration period regardless of when during the registration period the vehicle is registered. This law was amended in 1990 by the legislature.

Registrations issued in the name of an individual expire at midnight on the day of their birth date, except for mobile homes and commercial vehicles. Mobile homes expire at midnight on the last day of the month of December. Commercial vehicles expire at midnight on the last day of the month of May (if registered semiannually) or December (for annual registration).

Registration issued in a company name are assigned a designated month and the registration expires at midnight on the last day of that month.

Yes, however, the individual renewing your license plate must provide proof of insurance, a copy of your current registration or a renewal notice, and the proper fees. Fees are based on the weight of the vehicle and the type of license plate being renewed.

Some registrants are required to meet specific criteria when applying for an original license plate and registration. They are then required to prove they still meet those criteria every year upon renewal. Examples: disabled veterans, non-resident military, forestry, agricultural or horticultural, and X-series license plates.

When insurance is canceled and motor vehicle records indicate the vehicle is still owned by the same person and the license plate is still valid, the Bureau of Financial Responsibility, Division of Driver Licenses, requires that the license plate be canceled. The license plate may be turned in to a driver license or tax collector office.

When a vehicle is sold and the license plate is transferred to a replacement vehicle the $250 Initial Registration fee is not required. If the vehicle is not replaced the license plate must be turned in to the driver license office or tax collector to prevent a driver license suspension. The vehicle registration will be printed indicating license plate canceled (when the license plate is returned to a local tag agency) or the registration will be stamped "canceled" (when the license plate is returned to a driver license office). This may be used to exempt the $100 Initial Registration fee when a replacement vehicle is registered.

No, a license plate cannot be given or transferred to someone else. Section 320.0609(1)(a), Florida Statutes, requires that the registration license plate and certificate of registration shall be issued to and remain in the name of the owner of the vehicle registered. However, a personalized license plate may be relinquished to someone else.

Section 320.072, Florida Statutes, provides for exemptions of the $100 Initial Registration fee. For example: when the vehicle being registered is a replacement vehicle for a vehicle that has been disposed. If the fee is not paid at this time and the owner decides to reregister the old vehicle, this will be an additional vehicle registered because the owner now has two vehicles registered instead of one.

Florida insurance is required to meet the requirements of Florida Statutes. Only insurance issued or countersigned by a Florida agent is electronically reported to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for verification purposes.

Military are exempt from providing proof of Florida insurance in the following circumstances:
1. The military member is an owner or co-owner of the vehicle and
2. The military member is a Florida resident stationed outside Florida.

In addition, an out-of-state address must be shown on the Florida Vehicle Registration Certificate. We must have a copy of the military orders or an affidavit from the military member's commanding officer, which confirms the military orders, and the date of the assignment.

You must submit an affidavit stating the vehicle will not be driven in the state of Florida.

Usually when insurance proof is provided and the Florida agent has provided information on the insurance file, it does not match the vehicle on the data base because of an incorrect or incomplete Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Or, in some cases the insurance company may have failed to report both vehicles or there is a delay in reporting.

The name can be changed on our database after your driver license has been changed. This will change your name on the registration, however, the printed title will still have your previous name unless a new title is applied for. If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lien holder may not allow a new title to be printed. It is permissible to leave the name unchanged on the printed title because the owner is still one and the same person.

If a current motor vehicle record is on the data base, the information is pulled for a renewal notice to be provided. Although Florida Statutes do not require that DMV provide renewal notices for motor vehicle registration, all records are provided as a courtesy. Renewal notices are now provided for county tax collectors or private vendors to print renewal notices. A county may elect not to send a renewal notice to its residents. Even if a notice is printed, the notice may get lost in the mail.

Section 320.0605, Florida Statutes, requires the registration certificate or an official copy to be in the possession of the operator of the motor vehicle or carried in the vehicle at all times. Therefore, either way is permissible as long as a copy can be produced for law enforcement upon demand.

Information for registering motorcycles and mopeds is contained in the DMV Procedures Manual, procedure number RS-61. For registration fees for motorcycles and mopeds refer to the local agency License Plate Rate Chart.