Plates
License Plates in Florida
All license plates, also known as tags in Florida, are valid for a period of ten years. On the tenth year of a vehicle’s registration renewal, a new tag will be issued.
Florida issues standard and specialty plates, and most plates can be personalized. Standard plates include the state’s official website, myflorida.com, and a graphic image of the state outline. In Orange County, there are three standard plate options which include either Orange County, Sunshine State or In God We Trust written at the bottom of the plate.
How to Surrender Your Plate
Surrender License Plate by Mail
You can surrender your Florida license plate by mail, without having to visit us in person. To surrender your plate, please download, complete and submit the Surrender License Plate by Mail form along with your plate to Orange County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 545100, Orlando, FL 32854. Remember to include your email address as notification of receipt of the surrendered plate will be made via email.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires you to surrender your plate if:
- You cancel insurance on your vehicle;
- You sell the vehicle and do not transfer the plate to your new vehicle; or
- You move out of state and register the vehicle in that state.
In-Person
What happens if I don’t surrender my plate?
- Your driver’s license will be suspended. Failure to surrender your plate will result in the suspension of your driver’s license if you either cancel your insurance or sell your vehicle and do not transfer the plate.
- You could become a victim. Remember, your license plate is tied to your registration. If your plate is used to run a toll or red light or to commit another crime, your name and address will appear on file.
Specialty Plates
There are currently 120 specialty plates available in Florida in support of various organizations, including state colleges and universities. Fees vary by plate and the money raised from the sale of each plate goes directly to the organization.
Top 10 Specialty License Plates in Orange County
| 1 | University of Central Florida | 6,683 |
| 2 | University of Florida | 6,557 |
| 3 | Florida State University | 4,215 |
| 4 | Helping Sea Turtles Survive | 3,708 |
| 5 | Endless Summer | 3,356 |
| 6 | Marine Corps | 2,299 |
| 7 | Army | 2,212 |
| 8 | Save the Manatee | 2,208 |
| 9 | Protect Wild Dolphins | 2,052 |
| 10 | Protect the Panther | 1,803 |
Personalized Plates
For an additional $15 annual fee, drivers may order a personalized plate with a configuration of their choosing (subject to approval). Personalized plate applications must be made in person.
Personalized plates with a center logo design, such as the standard plate or the Save the Manatee specialty plate, may have up to 7 characters plus either space or hyphen. Plates with a left-hand side logo design, such as collegiate specialty plates, may have up to 5 characters with no additional space or hyphen.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reserves the right to cancel any application deemed objectionable or obscene.
Temporary Plates
Temporary tags may be issued, most commonly by motor vehicle dealers, for periods of 10, 30 or 90 days.
Motor Vehicle Dealers
Customers who do not have a license plate to transfer to a newly purchased vehicle will be issued a temporary tag at the dealership, which is required to drive the car off the lot. This type of temporary tag is valid for 30 days.
Other Uses
10, 30 or 90 temporary tags may be issued for the following use:
10 Day Temporary Tags
- If a vehicle is required to be weighed for registration.
- If a vehicle is required to have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verified.
30 Day Temporary Tags
- Private sale of a vehicle.
- If a vehicle is sold in Florida to a resident out of state and will be registered out of state.
- If an out-of-state resident moves to Florida and needs a temporary Florida tag in order to acquire their out-of-state title documentation to register and title in Florida.
90 Day Temporary Tags
- If a customer applies for a personalized plate, while the plate is being manufactured.
- If a customer is a temporary employee in Florida and not required to obtain permanent registration in Florida.