Can you customize your license plate? Here’s what Florida law says you can and can’t do
Thinking about DIY’ing your license plate? Think again.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is urging drivers to avoid altering their license plates with methods like airbrushing or vinyl wrapping. Such modifications are illegal under Florida law, which prohibits changes to the appearance of vehicle registration certificates, license plates or temporary plates.
Citations for these violations have surged by more than 98% since 2020, FHP said. Breaking the law results in a moving violation citation, a $60 fine, three points on your license and additional fees set by your county.
But what if you’ve already changed your license plate and can’t change it back?
It’s time to get a new one. That means hit up your nearest tax collector’s office or Florida Department of Motor Vehicles agency to replace the one that’s been altered.
Florida offers a variety of options for customizing your license plate in legal ways:
Specialty license plate gift certificates
▪ Purchase a gift certificate for any specialty license plate from authorized motor vehicle offices (state DMV offices, local tax collector offices or tag agencies).
▪ Pay the annual fee of $15-25, depending on the specialty plate you choose, to get a certificate, which the recipient can use to choose a plate later. They’ll just need proper ID (like a Florida driver’s license) to redeem it, and they don’t have to go to the same office where the certificate was bought.
Note: The funds support the plate’s sponsoring organization, and refunds are not available.
Some specialty license plates in Florida include:
▪ Helping Sea Turtles Survive
▪ Cancer Research Matters
▪ Miami Heat
▪ Florida State Beekeepers
▪ Protect Wild Dolphins
▪ Save the Manatee
▪ Inter Miami CF
Military license plates
▪ Most military plates can be obtained at state Department of Motor Vehicle offices. However, special plates like the Medal of Honor or Silver Star require ordering through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Send requests to:
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS #72, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
For more information, go to https://flhsmv.service-now.com/csp?id=flhsmv_csp_ms_index
Personalized license plates
▪ Visit a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles service center or tag agency to order a personalized plate.
▪ There’s a $15 annual fee for personalization. Complete the “Application for Personalized License Plate” and bring it to the office.
▪ Use the Personalized License Plate Inquiry service to check if your desired configuration is available.