Florida License Plate Lookup

The Sunshine State issues license plates for a myriad of vehicles, ranging from passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and farm equipment, to mopeds and trailers. Unlike most states that have vehicle owners transfer plates between autos, Florida's system retains plates with the vehicle throughout its lifecycle. Florida even has schemes to preserve decades-old plates with antique vehicles.

Registering a vehicle in Florida demands a signed title and the payment of applicable title transfer fees and use taxes. These fees can differ across counties. Gas-powered cars that are over four years old also require smog certification. If you acquire a vehicle from a dealer, they must get the car smog certified before selling it to you, unless it was already certified less than 90 days prior.

Plates must be renewed annually. While license plates can be transferred between different vehicles, they generally stay with the vehicle through its life. If the plates are lost or damaged, new plates with the same number will be reissued. If they were an older vanity design, a new standard plate will be issued in its place. Under Florida law, plates are legal for use as far back as 1964. Under the Year of Manufacturer (YOM) program, even older plates can be used on antique vehicles.

In Florida, obtaining a license plate for a newly purchased vehicle involves paying an initial registration fee. This fee varies depending on the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle, with heavier trucks typically attracting a higher fee. These transactions are managed by the Florida license plate agency, which operates under the jurisdiction of the Florida DMV. The agency is also responsible for maintaining driver license records, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information on every licensed driver in the state. This central repository of records plays a vital role in promoting safety, law enforcement, and administrative efficiency on Florida's roads.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, often referred to as the Florida Safety Department, plays a pivotal role in maintaining the state's official records related to motor vehicles. This department not only supervises the issuance of license plates and driver licenses but also collaborates with various organizations in promoting highway safety across the Sunshine State. These partnerships range from traffic enforcement agencies to non-profit organizations advocating for safe driving, all working collectively under the guidelines set by the state's official department. The collaborative efforts of the Florida Safety Department and these organizations are instrumental in ensuring a safer driving environment for all Florida residents and visitors.

Standard auto, commercial, and trailer license plates use 7 characters, while motorcycle and other vehicle plates use 6 characters. There are two types of Florida vanity plates: charity plates and special plates. Custom number plates can have 2-7 characters, while charity and special plates have space for up to 6 characters. All vanity motorcycle plates have space for 5 characters. The Year Of Manufacture (YOM) program lets owners register the model year 1969 and earlier vehicles with a vintage Florida plate.

Standard License Plate

The standard license plates in Florida are an integral part of the motor vehicle system. Created from durable metal plates, these identifiers undergo a meticulous production process to ensure their longevity and resistance to Florida's weather conditions. This type of license plate in Florida carries a unique sequence of numbers and letters, making each motor vehicle distinguishable. For motor vehicle dealers, the presence of such a license plate simplifies the registration process, enabling a smoother transition for both the seller and buyer. The plate essentially represents the vehicle's identity, connecting it to essential public records and facilitating law enforcement operations.

Temporary License Plate

In certain situations, such as purchasing a vehicle, the Florida statutes issue a temporary plate. The temporary plates allow the vehicle to be driven legally while the standard license plate is being processed. It carries a validation decal, indicating the expiration date. Issuing a temporary plate to a fictitious person is considered a serious offense and can lead to substantial penalties. The applicable fees for temporary license plates are generally lower than those for a standard one, making it an affordable solution in the short term. Although the plate is temporary, it is still linked to the vehicle's accident records and history, helping to track any incidents involving bad drivers. This system ensures that all vehicles on Florida's roads are registered and traceable, promoting safety and accountability.

Special License Plate

In Florida, special license plates, often referred to as specialty license plates, are an exciting option for motorists who wish to express their special interest or affiliations. Each of these personalized license plates features a unique graphic image that represents a particular cause, organization, or interest. From supporting wildlife conservation to showcasing allegiance to a university, these plates allow drivers to make a statement while contributing to the cause financially. However, it's crucial to note that governmental organizations maintain strict control over the issuance of this personalized license plate, especially by the state's new residents. A person who willfully issues specialty plates without proper authorization may face severe penalties, reinforcing the integrity of this unique platform for self-expression and philanthropy on Florida's roads.

How can we retrieve vehicle information based solely on a license plate? When autos are registered in Florida, that information becomes part of the public record. This record also includes the model and VIN. Our search engine uses this data to find official records and create a registration history. If you perform a Florida license plate check and order a full report, we use this information to search through government and insurance records to build a comprehensive history of the vehicle.

Vehicle owner information is safeguarded across the United States by the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), Federal Statute 18 USC 2721. This act prevents public access to any personal details in your vehicle or driver’s license records, including social security numbers, driver license numbers, names, addresses, and telephone numbers, as well as any disability or medical information. The Florida Vehicle Code also protects photographs, email addresses, and insurance information that may be part of your vehicle record. The only identifying information released to the public is the first and last names of previous owners. Our license plate and DMV VIN check tools only show you the information you are legally permitted to view.

There are exceptions to these rules for specific uses, including vehicle recalls, government business, vehicle impounding, and verifying personal information for insurance and professional driving jobs. You can also give written consent to third parties to access this information.

When you order a full Florida license plate report, you’ll get information pulled from federal, state, and corporate databases. Here’s what you’ll learn from one of these reports:

1. Vehicle Information

This means basic information including sales records, title history, lien records, registration information, odometer reading, and factory specifications. This lets you verify the sales listing matches the vehicle, and it doesn’t have outstanding loans or title issues that could keep you from registering the vehicle in Florida.

2. Rebuild and Repair Records

Concerned about purchasing a car that has hidden accident damage or a washed title? This part of the report covers title brands, recalls, odometer discrepancies, and maintenance information. That way, you can steer clear of cars that were totaled in another state or are likely to have safety or mechanical issues.

3. Traffic Court Records

While this won’t tell you information about the car directly, it can tell you how the vehicle was treated, and where there may be gaps in other records. This section includes accidents, traffic violations, license suspension, expired registrations, renewal reference numbers (RRNs), fines, and convictions. This helps you avoid cars that were used for street racing or may have unreported damage from accidents.

4. Public Records

These records include DUI and DWI arrests, warrants, and more. Like traffic court records, this doesn’t tell you about the car directly. However, it does give you an idea of how previous owners treated the vehicle.