You can renew your car tag at Publix in Florida. How does it work and who is eligible?
.jpg "Self-service tag renewal kiosks are now at select Publix stores in Florida.")
Self-service kiosks to renew your vehicle tag are popping up at Publix grocery stores across Florida for busy people who want to combine their chores.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says 28 of the 42 self-serve kiosks in the state are inside Publix supermarkets, four in Palm Beach County. Others are inside tax collector offices.
One of the newest kiosks opened last week at a Publix in Altamonte Springs in Seminole County.
While there are no Florida MV Express Kiosks available at Publix stores in Miami-Dade, Broward or Monroe yet, conversations are happening, according to the Lakeland-based supermarket company.
The kiosks are for people who want to renew their vehicle registration and get their new license plate sticker without having to wait in line at the tax collector or private tag offices or wait for it to arrive in the mail.
Floridians can use any of the kiosks in the state, according to Florida MV Express website. That means someone who lives in Miami-Dade, for example, can use a kiosk inside a Publix in Palm Beach County.
However, there are some restrictions on who can use the kiosk and which type of vehicle registration qualifies.
Here’s what to know:
How do the kiosks work? How much does it cost?
The kiosks work like an ATM touch screen or a movie Redbox.
First, you need to enter your registration renewal-notice PIN or your license plate number and the date of birth of the vehicle’s primary registered owner. Then follow the prompts to access your record, pay with a credit or debit card (some kiosks may also accept cash) and wait for your new vehicle registration card or license plate decal to print with a receipt.
While it might be more convenient for some people to use the kiosk if they’re already at Publix, keep in mind that besides paying the renewal fee — and a late fee if you missed the deadline — there is also a $3.95 service fee for using the Publix kiosk and a 2.3% processing fee, according to the Florida MV Express website.
In Hillsborough and Polk counties, the processing fee is 2.25%.
What type of renewals can I do at the Publix kiosks?
You can renew your vehicle registration at the kiosk 90 days before your renewal deadline and up to eight months after your registration expired as long as you don’t need a new license plate, a Florida certificate of Insurance or IRS Heavy Vehicle Use Tax “2290.” You also can’t have any suspensions on your insurance or driver’s license, or any delinquent toll bills.
If you need to provide proof of auto insurance or change your mailing address, then the kiosk is not for you.
The kiosk also can’t renew tags for self-driving cars, boats, government vehicles, IRP registrations, mobile homes, National Guard license plates, personalized plates, or parking permits or placards.
Also, the kiosk can only do renewals, at least for now. If you need a replacement decal or need to change the address on your registration, then visit the tag office.
How is using a Publix kiosk different from renewing online or at a tag office?
The kiosk is another option for people who don’t want to or can’t visit a tax collector’s office or an authorized private auto tag agency to get their vehicle registration renewed.
The machines run on Publix time. So if the only time you’re free to renew your vehicle registration is on a Saturday or Sunday night, you can use it. It’s kind of like renewing online, but you don’t have to wait for the decal to arrive in the mail.
And the kiosks are supposed to be quick — faster than ordering a Publix chicken tender sub at the deli.
To find a kiosk near you, visit flmvexpresskiosk.com/map/
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 8:27 AM.
