What a Florida vanity plate is and how to order one

A vanity license plate in Florida is a plate with a custom combination of letters and numbers that you choose, instead of the random sequence the state assigns. You can request up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or a mix), and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) will check whether that combination is already taken. If it is available, you pay an extra annual fee on top of your regular registration renewal and the plate is yours.

You order a vanity plate through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a tax collector's office. The process takes about two weeks once approved. You keep the plate for as long as you renew your registration and pay the vanity fee each year—if you stop paying or let your registration lapse, the plate goes back into the available pool.

The annual vanity plate fee varies depending on which type of plate design you choose (standard, specialty, or personalized combination). Check the current fee on the DHSMV website before you order, because it changes and differs by plate category.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request any combination of up to seven letters, numbers, or both, as long as no one else in Florida currently holds that plate.
  • The DHSMV charges an annual fee beyond your regular registration renewal, and you must pay it every year to keep the plate active.
  • You can order online through the DHSMV website, by mail with a form, or at your local tax collector's office.
  • Approval typically takes about two weeks, and you will receive your new plate by mail once the DHSMV confirms your request.

How to check if your desired plate is available

Before you commit to ordering, search the DHSMV vanity plate availability tool on their website. Type in the exact combination you want—remember that spaces, hyphens, and special characters are not allowed, and the system is case-insensitive (so "ABC123" and "abc123" are the same plate). The tool will tell you when ready whether that combination is taken or available.

If your first choice is taken, try variations. Many people add a number at the end, use a different spelling, or shorten the phrase. Keep in mind that the DHSMV will reject plates that are offensive, contain profanity, or could be mistaken for an official government plate. The rejection rules are strict, so if your plate seems borderline, the system will flag it during the ordering process.

The three ways to order a vanity plate

Online through the DHSMV website: Go to the DHSMV vanity plate portal, search your desired combination, and if it is available, complete the order form with your vehicle information and payment method. This is the fastest route and you will know when ready whether your plate was approved. You will receive the plate by mail within two weeks.

By mail: read the vanity plate process form from the DHSMV website (form HSMV 82053), fill it out with your vehicle details and desired plate combination, and mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the form. Processing takes longer this way—typically three to four weeks—because the form has to be received, processed, and verified by hand.

In person at a tax collector's office: Visit your county's tax collector's office with your vehicle registration and driver's license. Staff can check availability and process your order on the spot. You pay by cash, check, or card, and you will receive your plate by mail within two weeks. This option works well if you want to ask questions or if you are already renewing your registration.

What happens after you order

Once the DHSMV receives your order, they verify that the plate combination is still available and that your vehicle registration is current. If everything checks out, they approve the order and print your new plate. You will receive it by mail—do not expect it on a specific date, but two weeks is typical.

When your new plate arrives, remove your old plate and install the vanity plate. Keep the old plate; you may need it if you sell the vehicle or transfer the registration. Your vehicle registration document will be updated to reflect the new plate number, so you will see the change reflected in your records.

If the DHSMV rejects your plate request—usually because the combination is no longer available or violates their content rules—they will notify you by mail. You can then resubmit with a different combination at no extra charge.

Annual renewal and keeping your vanity plate active

Every year when your vehicle registration renews, you must also renew your vanity plate by paying the annual vanity fee. This fee is separate from your regular registration renewal fee. You can renew both at the same time through the DHSMV website, by mail, or at a tax collector's office—the process is the same as renewing a standard registration, except you pay the additional vanity charge.

If you forget to pay the vanity fee or let your registration lapse, your vanity plate becomes inactive. The DHSMV will reassign it to the available pool, and someone else can request it. If you want to reclaim the same plate later, you would have to order it again as if it were new, and it may no longer be available.

Transferring or removing a vanity plate

If you sell your vehicle, you can transfer the vanity plate to a different vehicle you own, or you can surrender it. To transfer, contact the DHSMV or visit a tax collector's office with your new vehicle's registration information. There is usually no extra fee to transfer the plate itself, but you will need to update your registration for the new vehicle.

If you want to remove the vanity plate and go back to a standard registration plate, notify the DHSMV in writing or visit a tax collector's office. You will stop paying the vanity fee, and the DHSMV will issue you a standard plate. The vanity plate you held will return to the available pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a vanity plate before I buy a car?

No. You must have a current vehicle registration in Florida to order a vanity plate. The DHSMV ties the plate to your vehicle identification number (VIN), so you cannot hold a plate without an active registration. Once you register your new vehicle, you can when ready order the vanity plate.

What if someone else requests my plate while I am waiting for approval?

The DHSMV processes requests in the order they are received. Once you submit your order and the system confirms availability, your request is locked in. If someone else submits the same combination after you, they will be told it is no longer available. The two-week processing window protects your order.

Can I use special characters, spaces, or hyphens on a vanity plate?

No. Florida vanity plates allow only letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). You cannot include spaces, hyphens, periods, or any other special characters. The system will reject any combination that contains them.

Do I have to pay the vanity fee every year?

Yes. The vanity fee is an annual charge that you pay each time you renew your vehicle registration. If you stop paying it, your vanity plate becomes inactive and returns to the available pool. You can renew the vanity plate and registration together through the same process.

What if the DHSMV rejects my plate for being offensive?

The DHSMV has strict content guidelines and will reject plates they determine are profane, obscene, or could be mistaken for official government plates. If your plate is rejected, you will receive written notice explaining why. You can then submit a new request with a different combination at no extra cost.