Florida license plates renew every two years, and you can do it online, by mail, or in person at your county tax collector's office

Your Florida license plate renewal notice arrives in the mail about 45 days before your expiration date. The notice shows your renewal fee, which varies based on your vehicle type and county. You have three ways to renew: the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website at flhsmv.gov, by mail using the renewal notice itself, or by visiting your county tax collector's office in person.

The fastest route is online renewal at flhsmv.gov, which takes about 10 minutes and lets you pay by credit or debit card. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the tax collector receives your payment. In-person renewal at your tax collector's office is when ready — you walk out with your new plate the same day if you bring the right documents.

Key Takeaways

  • Renew online at flhsmv.gov using your renewal notice number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and driver's license number.
  • Your renewal fee depends on your vehicle type and county, and the amount is printed on your renewal notice.
  • Online renewal takes 10 minutes and your new plate arrives by mail in one to two weeks; in-person renewal at your tax collector's office is when ready.
  • If you miss your expiration date, you can still renew, but driving with an expired plate is a traffic violation and can result in a fine.
  • You do not need to visit the DHSMV office itself — the tax collector's office handles all renewals.

Renewing online through the DHSMV website

Go to flhsmv.gov and select "Renew a License Plate" from the homepage. You will need your renewal notice (the form mailed to you), your vehicle's VIN, and your Florida driver's license number. Enter these details, review the fee amount, and pay by credit or debit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

After you complete the transaction, you receive a confirmation number on screen. Your new plate ships to your address within one to two weeks. You can use your vehicle with the expired plate until the new one arrives. If you do not have your renewal notice, you can still renew online by entering your VIN and driver's license number, though the process takes slightly longer because the system has to look up your account.

Renewing by mail with your renewal notice

Your renewal notice includes a payment envelope and instructions. Write a check or money order for the amount shown on the notice, place it in the envelope with the notice itself, and mail it to your county tax collector's office. The address is printed on the envelope. Do not send cash through the mail.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date your tax collector receives the payment. Your new plate arrives by mail after processing is complete. If you want to track your renewal, call your county tax collector's office with your renewal notice number — they can tell you whether payment has been received and when your plate shipped.

Renewing in person at your tax collector's office

Bring your renewal notice, a valid form of identification (driver's license, passport, or military ID), and payment to your county tax collector's office. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card — accepted cards vary by county, so call ahead if you plan to use a card. The tax collector's office will process your renewal on the spot and issue your new plate when ready.

Find your county tax collector's office location and hours at your county government website or by calling the main county line. Some counties offer multiple office locations, so you can choose the one most convenient to you. Bring your vehicle's VIN if you do not have your renewal notice, though having the notice makes the process faster.

What happens if your plate expires before you renew

Driving with an expired license plate is a traffic violation in Florida. A law enforcement officer can stop you and issue a citation, which typically results in a fine. The fine amount depends on how long your plate has been expired and whether you have prior violations. You can still renew your plate after it expires — there is no penalty for late renewal beyond the traffic violation itself.

If you are stopped with an expired plate, bring your renewal notice or proof that you have started the renewal process (such as an online confirmation number or a receipt from the tax collector's office). This does not erase the violation, but it shows the officer that you are in the process of complying. Renew as soon as possible to avoid additional stops.

Renewal fees and what affects the cost

Your renewal fee is printed on your renewal notice and varies based on your vehicle type and your county. Standard passenger vehicles typically cost between $20 and $35 for a two-year renewal, but commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and specialty plates have different fees. Some counties add a local option tax on top of the state fee, which is why the same vehicle type costs different amounts in different counties.

If your vehicle has a specialty plate (such as a vanity plate, environmental plate, or military plate), the renewal fee may be higher. Check your renewal notice for the exact amount. If you want to change your plate type during renewal — for example, switching to a vanity plate or an environmental design — you can do that online or in person, though it may increase your fee.

Renewing a plate for a vehicle you recently bought or sold

If you recently bought a vehicle, you will receive a new renewal notice in the mail once the title transfer is complete. The notice will show the new owner's name and address. If you recently sold a vehicle, stop renewing that plate — the new owner is responsible for renewal once they register the vehicle in their name.

If you receive a renewal notice for a vehicle you no longer own, contact your county tax collector's office to remove yourself from the account. If you buy a used vehicle and the previous owner's plate is still valid, you can transfer that plate to your vehicle at the tax collector's office by bringing the title, your driver's license, and proof of insurance. The transfer is usually free if done before the plate expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my plate if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid registration fees?

Outstanding traffic tickets do not prevent plate renewal in Florida. However, if you have unpaid registration fees or fines owed to the tax collector's office, the system may block renewal until those are paid. Contact your county tax collector's office to check your account status before attempting to renew online.

What if I move to a different county or state after renewing?

If you move within Florida to a different county, you do not need to renew your plate early. Your plate remains valid until the expiration date printed on it. When it comes time to renew, you can renew using your new address — the tax collector's office will update your mailing address during the renewal process. If you move out of Florida, you will need to register your vehicle in your new state and obtain new plates there.

How long does it take to get a new plate if I renew online?

Your new plate arrives by mail within one to two weeks of completing your online renewal. You can continue driving with your expired plate during this time. If you need your new plate sooner, visit your county tax collector's office in person to renew and receive your plate the same day.

Do I need to remove my old plate before the new one arrives?

No. You can keep your old plate on your vehicle until the new one arrives. Once the new plate arrives, remove the old one and install the new one. You do not need to return the old plate to the tax collector's office — keep it or dispose of it as you wish.

What if my renewal notice got lost in the mail?

You can still renew online at flhsmv.gov without your renewal notice by entering your VIN and driver's license number. The system will look up your account and show you the renewal fee. Alternatively, contact your county tax collector's office and request a duplicate renewal notice, which they can mail or email to you.