Guide on Florida Vehicle Registration Renewal and Replacement

According to Florida law, all vehicles operating on Florida highways must have a valid registration. Vehicles with out-of-state registration must be registered in Florida within 10 days of the vehicle's owner establishing a domicile in the state. Your "registration" tag is made up of three parts:
  • A license plate, often known as a tag, that is applied to a vehicle;
  • A decal sticker placed in the upper right-hand corner of your tag; and
  • A paper registration certificate. It must be carried in the vehicle or the vehicle's driver's possession.
The registration is valid for one or two years, depending on the registration duration you choose and expires at midnight on the first owner's birthday. The decal sticker indicates the registration's expiration month and year. Tags, sometimes known as license plates, are valid for ten years. A new tag will be provided in the tenth year of renewal.

How To Renew Vehicle Registration in Florida

To renew your registration in Florida, you must first meet specific auto insurance criteria. The bare minimum is that you have a liability policy in place. In the event of a collision, this policy will cover the costs of the other vehicle(s) and drivers/motorists. It is strongly advised that you have a policy that covers your repair costs and medical expenditures, although this is not required to renew your registration. You can renew directly with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLDHSMV) in various ways.

Renew Online

You cannot use the online option unless your auto insurance information with the FLDHSMV is up to date. If your records are up to date, you can renew your vehicle registration online up to 90 days before your birthday. In the state of Florida, your automobile registration expires on your birthday; however, if the vehicle is company-owned, the expiration date is the date the vehicle was first registered. When utilizing the online automobile registration renewal tool, you must:
  • Enter the details about your vehicle.
  • Enter your birth date (or the date of registration if a company-owned vehicle).
  • Enter your social security number's last four digits.
  • Pay your renewal fee and the convenience fee for online tag renewal.

Renew In Person

The FLHSMV discontinued its DMV field offices in 2015. This means you'll have to go to your county tax collector's office in person to renew your FL registration. Here are some items to remember to bring with you if you opt to renew your automobile tag in person at a Florida DMV office:
  • Your current registration card or a renewal reminder.
  • Your driver's license that was issued in Florida.
  • Your evidence of automobile insurance
  • Payment method (it's a good idea to call your county tax collector's office to confirm which payment methods they accept).

Renew By Mail

In Florida, you can only renew by mail if your registration renewal notice specifies that you can. This option may not be available to all Florida drivers or in all counties throughout the state.

How To Replace a Vehicle Registration in Florida

Have you been looking for information on how to replace a vehicle registration in Florida? Welcome to the area where you may find all of the answers to your questions. Continue reading to learn about the charges, locations, and procedures for getting you back on the road with all of your paperwork in order. The first thing you should know is that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues your driver's license and registration. If you can't find an answer on the website, call their customer support center at 850-617-2000 or visit their answer portal, which provides quick answers to most questions. A duplicate paper Florida replacement registration or validity decal costs about $2.50. There is a $28 cost for replacing old or damaged license plates. To keep the reflective coating, you must replace your plates every ten years. Calculate Your Fees Your renewal fees will be based on the weight and type of your car and the length of your registration.  Fees will begin at $46.15.  Visit for more information on renewal fees Avoid Late Fees and Penalties Most vehicle owners will find that their registration expires on their birth date. If the vehicle is registered to a company the registration will expire at the end of the registration month.  Late fees will apply to all vehicle owners that fail to renew their registration within 11 days after the end of the month in which it expired. Renew Online, In Person, By Mail or By Phone There are various options to renew your Florida registration which include: To Renew Your Florida Registration By Phone To renew your Florida registration by phone you must:
  • Call GORENEW at 866-467-3639 and follow the instructions of the automated phone system
  • Have your personal identification number PIN which is listed on your renewal notice to submit
  • Have the necessary form of payment:  Visa, MasterCard or American Express to pay both your renewal fee and a charge of $
To Renew By Mail To renew your Florida registration by mail you must:
  • Gather your renewal notice or make a copy of your current registration as well as proof of your insurance
  • Send the documents along with the appropriate fee payable in check or money order to the address listed on the form
To Renew Your Florida Registration in Person To renew your Florida registration in person you must:
  • Gather your present registration or renewal notice and proof o your insurance
  • Have the applicable fee
  • Visit your County Tax Collector office to complete the renewal in person2.90 for processing.
To Renew Your Florida Registration Online To renew your Florida registration online you must:
  • Gather your license plate number and information such as your Social Security number and your date of birth
  • Make sure your MasterCard, Visa or debit card ready to pay your fee
  • Visit the renewal site, GoRenew
Receiving Your Sticker Once you have renewed your registration you will receive a sticker in the mail which you then must affix to your tags. Keep the Roadways safe Now that you once again are a legal vehicle owner on in Florida, it is time to focus on what you can do to help ensure your safety and the safety of others on the roadways.  Proper maintenance of your car is mandatory. This means finding a good mechanic, having your tires rotate and pressure check, oil changes and tune ups.  This will help to ensure that you prevent breakdowns on the roads. Also, remember to investing security with a roadside assistance program that will protect you at all times should you break down and an after market warranty program which will help to minimize repair and maintenance bills.