Motor Vehicles

Registration Information

Registration and Renewal

Florida uses a metal license plate with alpha numeric letters and numbers for identification. A sticker denoting the owner's birth month and the year of expiration is placed in the upper right hand corner of the plate. License plates are to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle with the exception of certain commercial vehicles. The plate is issued to the owner for ten years. The owner will receive a new plate (with new numbers and letters) during the tenth year.

All vehicles are registered according to weight. Travel trailers and mobile homes are licensed according to length. Vehicles are registered according to the registered owner's birth month. The registration expires at midnight on the owner's birthday. Company owned vehicles and short term leased vehicles expire June 30th. Long term leased vehicles expire on the registered owner's birthday. Truck-tractors, semi-trailers, and trucks weighing over 5000 pounds expire on December 31. High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) are vehicles used to transport nine or more passengers. HOVs expire December 31st

Proof of Insurance

Proof of current insurance (binder, policy or card) from a certified Florida agent or broker is required to purchase and renew a license plate in Florida. Insurance must be presented to the Tax Collector to include documentation of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in the amount of at least $10,000 and Protection Damage Liability (PDL) insurance in the amount of $10,000. Motorcycles, mobile homes and trailers are exempt from the insurance requirement. Commercial trucks require additional insurance.

Renewing your Registration by Mail

Reminder notices are mailed out approximately 30 days before your expiration date as a courtesy. In order to save time and money we encourage owners to renew by mail. Renewal notices are mailed by the Tax Collector as a courtesy only, late penalties and other fees will not be waived because of non receipt of a renewal notice.

Change of Address

In order to maintain accurate records, and to help ensure that each registered owner receives a renewal notice, all changes of address must be reported to the Tax Collector's Office within 20 days. The vehicle owner is required to provide the license plate number along with the address change report. It is the responsibility of each registered owner to ensure that the vehicle's registration is kept current. Notices are mailed as a courtesy service only and to help facilitate the renewal process.

Vehicle Identification Numbers

All motor vehicles being registered in Florida for the first time must have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verified. The Tax Collector's Office will perform this service at the time of registration. The VIN can also be verified by any law enforcement officer, a Florida notary public or a Florida motor vehicle dealer. All used vehicles coming into Florida from a foreign country must have the VIN verified by a DMV compliance Examiner/Inspector prior to being titled.

Rates

Annual license taxes, for the operation of motor vehicles as defined by Florida Statutes, must be paid at the time of registration and renewal. All fees are subject to change by Legislative Act.

Initial Registration Fee

A $225.00 fee must be collected when the owner does not have a license plate or record of a license plate registered in his or her name for a vehicle he or she previously owned (in Florida), to transfer to a newly acquired vehicle. Please inquire for exemptions to this rule.

Online Registration Renewals

If you need help using RenewExpress, please use the online chat or call (941)743-1350.

Our office utilized RenewExpress for your online registration renewals. For your convenience, we have outlined the associated fees below:

For more information on each requirement, click the next to each field.

Renew using RenewExpress

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The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also has an online renewal system available. For your convenience, we have outlined the associated fees below:

Additional requirements are necessary for non-FL residents

Renew using DHSMV GoRenew

Registration Renewal Kiosk

If you need your registration fast, visit the kiosk and walk away with the vehicle renewal in under 2 minutes.

The kiosk is located at the Quesada Commons Publix at 19451 Cochran Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL 33948.

For your convenience, we have outlined the associated fees below:
• Credit Cards Only- $3.95 per renewal plus 2.3% credit card processing fee

Registration Renewals can be processed using one of the following:
• License Plate Number AND Birthdate
• Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the renewal notice
• QR Code on the renewal notice

For more information about the kiosk visit the Florida MV Express Kiosk website.

Title Information

Florida Vehicle Titles

To transfer a Florida Title, the seller must complete the transfer information on the current title, including the purchaser's name, the selling price, and the odometer reading at the time of the sale. A bill of sale may be submitted for proof of purchase price. Sales tax will be collected if applicable. All transfers of ownership must be completed within 30 days of the date the vehicle is assigned by the seller or a $20.00 fee is levied at the time of transfer.

Out of State Titles

An out-of-state title must be submitted as proof of ownership and if transfer of ownership is involved, it must be properly assigned indicating the new owner's name and address. An application for Florida Title must be completed and accompanied by verification of the Vehicle Identification Number and odometer reading (DHSMV Form 82040). The owner(s) or purchaser(s) must sign this form or give power of attorney. Sales tax will be collected if applicable.

New Vehicle Titles

All new vehicles are required to have a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) which must be completed by a licensed dealer for transfer to the buyer. To obtain a Florida title, the MCO must be filled out completely and attached to the title application form (DHSMV Form 82040). The information must include the owner's complete name and Florida address, date of birth, sex, drivers license number, a complete description of the vehicle and any lien to be recorded. Sales tax will be collected if applicable. If a license plate is being transferred onto the new vehicle, proof of insurance and registration is required.

• Motor Vehicle Forms and Files
• Have Title Printed from DHSMV

Temporary Plate to Register a Vehicle Outside of Florida

If you are a non-resident that has purchased a Florida titled vehicle, you may need a temporary license plate to be able to transport the vehicle to your home state. The purchaser must come in to apply with proof of ID and insurance. Sales tax is required to be collected based on your state’s sales tax.

The nonresident purchaser is required to complete Form DR-123, Affidavit for Partial Exemption of Motor Vehicle Sold in Florida for Licensing in Another State, declaring the intent to license the vehicle in his or her home state within 45 days of the date of purchase. The completed Form DR-123 is provided to the selling dealer or, if purchased from an individual, to the tax collector or private tag agent when purchasing a temporary tag for the vehicle. If the nonresident purchaser licenses the motor vehicle in his or her home state within 45 days from the date of purchase, there is no requirement that the motor vehicle be removed from Florida.

Click HERE to complete DR-123

If an out of state resident purchases a motor vehicle in Florida and needs a Florida temporary license plate to drive the motor vehicle back to their home state (which is not reciprocal with Florida), what is the amount of sales tax that should be collected? The amount of sales tax due would be equivalent to the sales tax in the purchaser's state of residence (see http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/tips/tip16a01-01r.html), even if that state is not reciprocal with Florida, provided a form DR-123 is completed. However, the amount of sales tax collected from the out of state resident must NOT exceed Florida's state sales tax of six (6) percent, even if the motor vehicle was purchased from a Florida county with a discretionary sales surtax. It should be pointed out to the customer there is not a reciprocal agreement between their home state and Florida. Therefore, they would be required to pay the taxes again in their state, if their state does not allow credit for taxes paid to another state.

Specialty License Plates

Since 1987, the State of Florida has approved specialty plates for distribution. Specialty plates available include select Florida universities, professional sports teams, environmental causes, and well as various other miscellaneous causes. Each license plate has a special use fee that is collected at the time of purchase with a portion returned back to trust funds to benefit the organization. To view a complete listing of all specialty plates that are currently available as well as the fees associated with each, please visit the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' website at www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/specialtytags/

Disabled Parking Permit

Any vehicle parked in a space labeled disabled parking is required to display a Florida Parking Placard, Disabled Veteran License Plate, or Wheelchair license plate. The placard is issued to any individual with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk or is certified as legally blind. The placard is valid for up to four years and and expires on the applicant's birthday. There is no charge for a disabled placard and an additional placard may be issued to a frequent traveler or quadriplegic. Florida residents with a permanent Disabled Parking Placard may apply for a wheelchair license plate.

If your disability is temporary, you may also receive a placard for up to six months. An extension of a temporary placard may be issued at no additional cost within a 12 month period from the date of the original placard if authorized by the physician. The cost for a temporary placard is $15, regardless of how long it is issued for. Anyone receiving a temporary parking permit is not eligible to receive an additional placard.

To obtain either a permanent or temporary parking permit, applicants must fill out DHSMV Form 83039 and have it signed by their physician. For renewals only: a veteran who has been previously evaluated and certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the United States Armed Forces as permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability may provide a United States Department of Veterans Affairs Form Letter 27-333, or its equivalent, issued within the last 12 months in lieu of a certificate of disability.

Effective July 1, 2012, all replacement parking permits require DHSMV Form 83039 to be completed and signed by their certifying authority within the last 12 months.

Effective October 1, 2012, all parking permit renewals require DHSMV Form 83039 to be completed and signed by their certifying authority within the last 12 months.

For more information, please visit FLHSMV's website or contact our office.

Military DMV Information

License Plate Renewal

• Renewal with Florida insurance may be done by mail, telephone, or online via our website.
• Renewal with out of state insurance will require an annual military insurance exemption and supporting documents including a copy of the military member’s orders to be completed and mailed to the Tax Collector’s office.
• Military Members Forms Pack

Vehicle Title and Registration

• Active duty military personnel stationed in Florida may contact their nearest Tax Collector Office for title and registration assistance.
• Florida resident active duty military personnel stationed out of state may title and register a vehicle in Florida by mail. You may print a mail packet including all instructions, forms, and exemptions you may qualify for at FLHSMV's website.
• A vehicle identification number (VIN) verification is required for all out of state titled vehicles. This may be done by one of the following ways:
  • Dealership Letterhead:
    A licensed out of state motor vehicle dealer may provide a statement on dealer letterhead that they physically inspected the VIN. This option must include the VIN, date, and signature, along with the statement of verification.
  • Form HSMV 82042
    Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and Odometer Verification accurately completed by the purchaser(s), with the motor vehicle identification number verified by one of the four officials shown on the lower portion of the form.
  • Form HSMV 82040
    Application for Certificate of Title with/without Registration section eight, may be used in lieu of the above listed form. Out of state VIN verification may be done by one of the following:
    • Law enforcement officer from any state.
      
    • Provost Marshal (an officer who supervises the military police of a command), Commissioned or warrant officer in active military service, Legalman (non-commissioned officer in the rank of E-7 or higher)

Disabled Veteran Vehicle License Plate

• An honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected 100% disability rating may apply for one free disabled veteran “DV” license plate for an owned or leased vehicle.

Military Service Related License Plates

• The following special license plates may be available at an exempt or reduced specialty plate fee at the Tax Collector’s office or by application to the Division of Motor Services.
  
  *Air Force Combat Action *Air Force Cross *Combat Action Badge *Combat Action Ribbon *Combat Infantry Badge *Combat Medical Badge *Distinguished Service Cross *Florida National Guard *Former Prisoner of War *Gold Star *Korean War *Medal of Honor Recipient *Navy Cross *Navy Submariner *Operation Desert Shield *Operation Enduring Freedom *Operation Iraqi Freedom *Paralyzed Veteran of America *Pearl Harbor Survivor *Purple Heart Recipient *Silver Star *U.S. Armed Forces Reservist *Vietnam War *Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces *Woman Veteran *World War II

DMV Forms and Files

• FLHSMV Forms
  Get the most current forms from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website
• Title and Registration Mail Packet
• Florida Title Transfer
• Military Mail Packet
• Fast Title Release Affidavit
• Miscellaneous Affidavit
• Duplicate Title Packet

 

Motor Vehicle Links

• FL Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Website
• Florida Insurance Company Code
• Email Florida DMV