What Florida Calls Custom Plates and How to Order One

Florida's personalized license plate is a plate with a combination of letters and numbers you choose, instead of the random sequence the DMV assigns. You order it through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), either online at their website, by mail, or in person at a local tax collector's office. The plate itself costs extra — currently $25 above your standard registration renewal fee — and that fee renews each year along with your registration.

The process takes about two to four weeks from the time DHSMV approves your request. You cannot use the plate on the road until it arrives in the mail and you install it on your vehicle. If you want the plate before your registration is due for renewal, you can request it at any time, but you will pay for a full year of the personalized plate fee even if your registration does not expire for months.

Key Takeaways

  • You choose the letters and numbers on a personalized plate through the DHSMV website, by mail, or at a tax collector's office, and the plate costs $25 per year on top of your registration fee.
  • Florida rejects plates that are offensive, contain certain symbols, or are already taken by another driver, so your first choice may not be approved.
  • The plate arrives by mail in two to four weeks, and you cannot legally drive with it until it is physically installed on your vehicle.
  • You renew the personalized plate each year when you renew your registration, and you can cancel it at any time and return to a standard plate.
  • Some personalized plates support specific causes — like wildlife conservation or military service — and a portion of the fee goes to that organization.

What Combinations Are Allowed and What Gets Rejected

Florida allows up to seven characters on a personalized plate — letters, numbers, or a mix. You cannot use spaces, punctuation, or special symbols. The DHSMV rejects combinations that are obscene, offensive to a group, or that spell out something the state considers inappropriate. The exact rules are not published in full, so if your first choice is rejected, you will not always know why — you just see that it was not approved.

If another driver in Florida already has the plate you want, your request will be denied. This is common with short, straightforward combinations. The DHSMV does not tell you whether a plate was rejected because it is taken or because of content, so you may need to try several alternatives. You can request up to three different combinations at once to increase your chances of at least one being approved.

Ordering Online, by Mail, or In Person

The fastest route is the DHSMV website. You create an account, enter your vehicle information and current registration number, then type in your desired plate combination. You pay the $25 fee by credit or debit card, and DHSMV tells you when ready whether it was approved. If approved, the plate ships to your address within two to four weeks.

If you prefer not to order online, you can print a form from the DHSMV website or pick one up at your local tax collector's office, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order. Processing takes longer this way — typically three to six weeks total. You can also walk into a tax collector's office in person with your vehicle registration and request the plate there, though not all offices process personalized plates on the spot; some require you to mail in the form.

Whichever method you use, have your current vehicle registration number and your driver's license number ready. If your vehicle is financed or leased, you may need the lienholder's information as well.

Specialty Plates That Support Causes

Florida offers personalized versions of its specialty plates — plates that support wildlife conservation, military veterans, universities, and other causes. These plates cost more than the standard $25 personalized fee. For example, a personalized wildlife plate might cost $50 or more per year, with the extra money going to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. You order these the same way as a standard personalized plate, but you select the specialty plate design first, then choose your custom combination.

Not all specialty plates can be personalized. Check the DHSMV website to see which ones offer that option. If you want to support a cause but do not want to pay the extra fee, you can order a standard specialty plate with the random number sequence assigned by the state.

Renewing, Changing, or Canceling Your Personalized Plate

Each year when your vehicle registration renews, your personalized plate renews automatically if you pay the $25 fee along with your registration renewal. You renew online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or at a tax collector's office — the same methods you used to order the plate in the first place. The plate itself does not need to be replaced unless it is damaged or stolen.

If you want to change your plate combination, you can request a new one at any time. You will pay the $25 fee for the new plate, and the old one becomes inactive. If you want to cancel your personalized plate and return to a standard plate, you can do that during your next registration renewal by straightforward not paying the personalized plate fee. Your old personalized combination goes back into the pool and may become available to other drivers after a waiting period.

What Happens If Your Plate Is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

If your personalized plate is stolen or damaged, contact your local tax collector's office or the DHSMV to report it. You can request a replacement plate with the same combination. There is usually a small fee for a replacement — typically $5 to $10 — and it takes two to four weeks to arrive by mail. Until the replacement arrives, you can use a temporary plate if the office issues one, or you can temporarily switch back to your old standard plate if you still have it.

If your plate is damaged but still readable and attached to your vehicle, you are not required to replace it when ready. However, if it becomes unreadable or falls off, Florida law requires you to have a valid plate displayed before you drive again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my personalized plate to a different vehicle?

Yes. You can transfer a personalized plate to another vehicle you own by updating your registration with the DHSMV. There is usually a small transfer fee. Contact your tax collector's office or the DHSMV website for the current fee and process in your county.

What if my personalized plate combination is rejected and I do not know why?

The DHSMV does not always explain rejections. Try a different combination. If you believe your plate was rejected unfairly, you can contact the DHSMV directly to ask for clarification, though they may not provide one. You can also try requesting the same combination again after a few weeks.

Do I have to renew my personalized plate every year?

Yes, the personalized plate fee renews each year along with your vehicle registration. If you do not pay it during renewal, your plate becomes inactive and you will receive a standard plate instead. You can request the personalized plate again in the future if you change your mind.

How long does it take to get a personalized plate after I order it?

Typically two to four weeks from approval. Online orders are usually approved when ready, while mail-in orders may take longer to process before shipping. You cannot legally use the plate until it arrives and you install it on your vehicle.

Can I order a personalized plate if my vehicle registration is expired?

No. Your vehicle registration must be current to order a personalized plate. If your registration is expired, renew it first through your tax collector's office or online, then request the personalized plate.