What a personalized plate costs and how to order one

A personalized Florida license plate costs $25 per year in addition to your regular registration renewal fee. You order through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) by mail, online at flhsmv.gov, or in person at a tax collector's office. The process takes about two weeks once submitted.

You choose your own combination of letters and numbers — up to seven characters total — as long as it hasn't been taken by another driver. Florida checks your request against existing plates and rejects it if the combination is already in use. You'll learn whether your choice is available before you pay.

The $25 annual fee renews each time you renew your registration. If you decide to stop using a personalized plate, you can return to a standard plate at your next renewal without penalty.

Key Takeaways

  • Personalized plates cost $25 per year on top of your regular registration fee and renew annually.
  • You can order online at flhsmv.gov, by mail, or at your local tax collector's office.
  • Your chosen combination must be seven characters or fewer and cannot already be assigned to another vehicle.
  • The DHSMV checks availability before you pay and typically processes orders within two weeks.
  • You can switch back to a standard plate at any renewal without extra cost or paperwork.

Ordering online versus by mail or in person

The fastest route is the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov. You enter your desired plate combination, see when ready whether it's available, and pay the $25 fee with a credit or debit card. Online orders typically process within 10 business days. You'll receive your new plate by mail.

If you prefer to order by mail, read the process for Personalized License Plate form (HSMV 82053) from the DHSMV website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. This method takes longer — usually three to four weeks total — because the DHSMV must receive and process your form before checking availability.

At a tax collector's office, you can order in person and often see results the same day. Not all offices handle personalized plates, so call ahead to confirm. Bring your vehicle registration and a valid ID.

What character combinations Florida allows and rejects

Florida permits seven characters maximum on a personalized plate. You can use letters, numbers, or a mix of both. Spaces and punctuation marks are not allowed. The DHSMV rejects combinations that are already assigned, that spell profanity or slurs, or that could be confused with official government plates.

The system also blocks combinations that are too similar to existing plates — for example, if "MYPLATE1" is taken, "MYPLATE!" or "MY PLATE1" might be rejected even though they look different to you. The DHSMV's automated system makes these decisions, and you cannot appeal a rejection. If your first choice is unavailable, you straightforward choose another combination and resubmit.

Common rejected requests include anything that mimics law enforcement plates, government seals, or official insignia. Vanity plates that reference illegal activity are also blocked, though the standards vary and the system does not always catch borderline cases.

Renewing and replacing a personalized plate

When your vehicle registration expires, you renew your personalized plate the same way you ordered it — online, by mail, or in person. The $25 annual fee applies each time. If you renew online, the process is the same as your initial order: you confirm your plate combination, pay, and receive your renewed plate by mail.

If your personalized plate is damaged, stolen, or lost, you can request a replacement through the DHSMV. Replacement plates cost $10 and take about two weeks. You do not pay the $25 personalization fee again — that fee covers the design and registration, not the physical plate.

If you sell your vehicle, your personalized plate stays with you, not the car. You can transfer it to a new vehicle by updating your registration with the DHSMV. The new vehicle must be registered in your name. If you want to keep the plate but don't have a vehicle to put it on, you can place it on hold for up to five years.

Transferring a personalized plate to a different vehicle

To move your personalized plate to a new vehicle, you must first register the new vehicle in your name. Then contact the DHSMV or visit a tax collector's office to update your registration and transfer the plate. Online, you can update this through flhsmv.gov if you're renewing at the same time. By mail, use form HSMV 82053 and note that you're transferring an existing plate.

The transfer itself is free — you only pay the $25 annual personalization fee at your next renewal. The process typically takes one to two weeks. During that time, you can drive the new vehicle with a temporary registration while the DHSMV processes the plate transfer.

If you're transferring the plate to a vehicle registered in a different name — for example, if you're adding a spouse's name to the registration — the DHSMV may require additional paperwork. Call your local tax collector's office or the DHSMV directly to confirm what documents you need before you visit.

Personalized plates and vehicle title or ownership changes

A personalized plate is tied to your vehicle registration, not your vehicle title. If you sell the car, the plate stays with you unless you specifically transfer it to the buyer's new registration. The buyer cannot use your personalized plate — they must order their own or use a standard plate.

If you trade in your vehicle at a dealership, remove your personalized plate before you leave. The dealership will not remove it for you, and you'll lose it if it stays on the car. Take the plate with you and either transfer it to your new vehicle or place it on hold.

If your vehicle is financed and you're making payments, the personalized plate is still yours. The lender holds the title, but the registration — and the plate — belong to you. You can transfer or renew it without the lender's permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a personalized plate before I buy a vehicle?

No. You must have an active vehicle registration in Florida to order a personalized plate. You can place a plate on hold for up to five years if you already own a vehicle and want to keep the plate but don't currently have a car to put it on, but you cannot reserve a plate for a vehicle you don't yet own.

What happens if someone else orders the plate I want while I'm deciding?

Once another driver's personalized plate is activated, that combination is no longer available. The DHSMV does not hold combinations while you think about it. If you want a specific plate, order it as soon as you've confirmed it's available. If it's taken by the time you submit, you'll need to choose a different combination.

Do I have to renew my personalized plate every year?

Yes. The $25 personalization fee renews annually along with your vehicle registration. If you don't renew your registration, your personalized plate expires too. You can switch to a standard plate at renewal time if you no longer want to pay the extra fee.

Can I get a personalized plate for a motorcycle or commercial vehicle?

Yes. Personalized plates are available for most vehicle types registered in Florida, including motorcycles, commercial trucks, and RVs. The $25 annual fee and ordering process are the same. Some specialty plates — like those for disabled veterans or environmental conservation — have different rules; contact the DHSMV to confirm your vehicle type qualifies.

What if my personalized plate is offensive to someone else?

The DHSMV can revoke a personalized plate if it's determined to be obscene or offensive after it's been issued. This is rare and usually happens only if the plate clearly violates state law. If you believe another driver's plate is offensive, you can report it to the DHSMV, but the decision to revoke rests with the department, not with complaints from other drivers.