What Florida's new license plate looks like and when it rolled out

Florida introduced a redesigned license plate in 2024 featuring a new background color and updated graphics. The plate shifted from the traditional orange-and-white design to a scheme that includes a different shade and revised state imagery. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) began issuing the new plates to drivers renewing their registration or requesting a replacement.

The rollout was gradual rather than when ready — existing plates remain valid and do not need to be replaced until your registration renewal comes due. When you renew your vehicle registration with DHSMV, you will receive the new plate design as part of that process. If your plate is damaged, lost, or stolen before your renewal date, you can request a replacement and receive the new design at that time.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's new license plate design became available in 2024 and features updated colors and graphics compared to the previous orange-and-white standard.
  • You do not have to replace your current plate when ready — the new design is issued when you renew your vehicle registration with DHSMV.
  • If your plate is damaged, lost, or stolen, you can request a replacement from DHSMV and will receive the new design.
  • The new plate design meets all federal and state visibility and durability standards for road use.

How the new design differs from the old plate

The previous Florida plate used an orange-and-white color scheme with the state name and the orange-blossom symbol. The new design changes the background color and updates the visual elements while keeping the same basic layout — your vehicle identification number (VIN) still appears in the same position, and the county code remains in the same location on the plate.

Both designs are equally readable by traffic cameras and law enforcement, and both meet the reflectivity standards required by the Federal Highway Administration. The change was primarily aesthetic and did not alter how the plate functions or how it is read by automated systems.

When you will get the new plate

Your registration renewal date determines when you receive the new plate. When you renew your vehicle registration online, by mail, or in person at a DHSMV office, the new plate will be mailed to you as part of that renewal package. The timing depends on your vehicle's registration expiration date — if your registration expires in 2024, you may receive the new plate that year; if it expires in 2025 or later, you will receive it at your next renewal.

You can check your vehicle's registration expiration date on your current registration card or by logging into your DHSMV account online. If you want the new plate before your renewal date, you can request a replacement plate from DHSMV for a fee, though most drivers straightforward wait for their regular renewal.

Requesting a replacement plate before your renewal

If your current plate is damaged, faded, or illegible, you can request a replacement at any time. Visit your local DHSMV office or use the online services portal on the DHSMV website to request a replacement plate. You will need your vehicle registration card and a valid ID, and there is a fee for the replacement (the amount varies and can be found on the DHSMV fee schedule).

When you request a replacement, you will receive the new design. This is the fastest way to get the new plate if you prefer not to wait for your registration renewal. The replacement plate is mailed to the address on your registration, typically within one to two weeks.

What happens to your old plate

Your old plate remains valid until your registration expires. You can continue to use it on your vehicle without any penalty or requirement to switch early. There is no important date to replace it, and law enforcement will not stop you for displaying an older plate design.

If you keep your old plate after receiving a new one, you should not use both plates on the same vehicle. If you want to keep your old plate as a memento, you can remove it and store it — Florida does not require you to turn in old plates.

Special plate programs and the new design

Florida offers specialty plates for various causes and organizations — military service, environmental conservation, professional groups, and others. The new design applies to standard registration plates, but specialty plates follow their own design guidelines. If you have a specialty plate, check with DHSMV about whether the new design affects your plate type, as some specialty plates may have their own update schedule.

When you renew a specialty plate registration, you will receive the updated version of that specialty design, which may or may not change depending on the program. Contact DHSMV directly if you hold a specialty plate and want to know whether its design has been updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to get the new plate right away?

No. Your old plate is valid until your registration expires. You will receive the new plate automatically when you renew your registration. If you want it sooner, you can request a replacement plate from DHSMV for a fee.

Will the new plate work with traffic cameras and speed enforcement?

Yes. The new plate meets all federal reflectivity and visibility standards and works with automated traffic enforcement systems the same way the old plate does.

Can I keep my old plate if I like it better?

You can keep your old plate on your vehicle until your registration expires. Once you renew, you must use the new plate. You can store your old plate at home if you want to keep it.

What if my plate is damaged before I renew?

Contact your local DHSMV office or use the online portal to request a replacement. You will pay a replacement fee and receive the new design plate in the mail within one to two weeks.

Does the new plate cost extra when I renew?

No. The new plate is included in your standard registration renewal fee. You only pay an additional fee if you request a replacement plate before your renewal date.