Florida lets you design your own license plate through the Department of Motor Vehicles, but the process has specific rules about what you can display and how long approval takes

Custom license plates in Florida are called Personalized plates, and they let you choose up to six characters instead of using the standard random combination. You order them through the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), either online at the DMV website or in person at a local tax collector's office. The plate costs more than a standard plate — currently an additional fee on top of your regular registration — and you'll need to renew it every two years along with your vehicle registration.

The characters you choose go through an approval process. Florida's DMV reviews each request to make sure the combination doesn't contain offensive language, doesn't impersonate government plates, and doesn't violate other display rules. This review typically takes one to two weeks. If your first choice is rejected, you can submit alternatives without paying again.

Key Takeaways

  • Personalized plates in Florida can display up to six characters — letters, numbers, or a combination — and cost extra when you order them.
  • You can order online through the DMV website or in person at your county tax collector's office, and the approval process usually takes one to two weeks.
  • Florida's DMV rejects plates containing profanity, impersonations of official plates, or content that violates state law, and you can submit new character combinations if your first choice is denied.
  • Your personalized plate renews every two years with your vehicle registration, and you pay the personalized plate fee each time you renew.

What characters you can and cannot use

Florida allows letters A through Z and numbers 0 through 9 on personalized plates. You can arrange them in any order — "FLORIDA1" or "1FLORIDA" both work — and you can use spaces between characters. The six-character limit includes spaces, so "FLORIDA" takes up all six slots, but "FLA 1" uses five.

The DMV will reject your request if the combination spells out profanity, slurs, or content that's sexually explicit or promotes illegal activity. Plates that look like they're trying to impersonate official government plates — such as those mimicking law enforcement or emergency vehicle formatting — are also rejected. If your combination gets denied, you'll receive a notice explaining why, and you can submit a different combination at no additional cost.

Ordering online through the DMV website

Start at the Florida DMV website and look for the personalized plate section under vehicle registration services. You'll enter your vehicle information (VIN, license plate number, and registration details) and then type in your desired character combination. The system will tell you when ready whether that combination is available or has already been taken by another driver.

If your choice is available, you'll pay the personalized plate fee online using a credit or debit card. The fee varies depending on the plate type you choose — standard personalized plates cost one amount, while specialty personalized plates (such as those supporting a particular cause or organization) may cost more. After payment, your request goes to the DMV for content review. You'll receive an email or letter within one to two weeks telling you whether your plate was approved.

If approved, the DMV will mail your new plate to the address on file with your registration. You'll install it on your vehicle and keep your old plate. When your registration renews in two years, you'll pay the personalized plate fee again to keep the same custom combination.

Ordering in person at your tax collector's office

You can also order a personalized plate by visiting your county tax collector's office in person. Bring your vehicle registration, proof of ownership, and a valid ID. Tell the staff member you want to order a personalized plate, and they'll help you check character availability and submit your request.

You'll pay the personalized plate fee at the office, and the staff will submit your character combination for DMV review. The approval timeline is the same as online — one to two weeks — and you'll be notified by mail when your plate is ready. Some tax collector offices allow you to pick up your plate at the office instead of having it mailed, which can save time if you're in a hurry.

What happens if your plate is rejected

If the DMV denies your personalized plate request, you'll receive written notice explaining the reason. Most rejections happen because the character combination violates content rules, or because someone else already has that exact combination. You don't lose your fee — instead, you can submit a new character combination using the same process.

If you ordered online, log back into the DMV website and submit your alternative combination. If you ordered in person, return to your tax collector's office with your rejection notice and propose a new combination. The review process starts over, and you'll hear back within one to two weeks. You can keep submitting alternatives until you find a combination that's both available and approved.

Renewing your personalized plate

Your personalized plate expires when your vehicle registration expires, which is typically every two years in Florida. When renewal time approaches, you'll receive a notice from the DMV with your renewal options. You can renew your personalized plate by paying the personalized plate fee again, either online or at your tax collector's office.

If you want to keep the same character combination, renewal is straightforward — just pay the fee and confirm you want to keep your current plate. If you want to change to a different combination, you can submit a new request during renewal, and it will go through the same approval process. Your old plate remains valid until your new one arrives.

Specialty personalized plates and supporting causes

Florida offers personalized versions of specialty plates that support particular organizations or causes — such as environmental conservation, military service, or specific universities. These plates let you customize the characters and also display a special design or logo related to the cause. The personalized fee for specialty plates is often higher than for standard personalized plates, and a portion of the fee may go to the organization the plate supports.

You order specialty personalized plates through the same DMV website or tax collector's office process, but you'll select the specialty plate type first before choosing your characters. The approval process is identical, and the same content rules explore to your character combination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my personalized plate to a different vehicle?

Yes. When you buy a new vehicle, you can transfer your personalized plate to it by updating your registration with the DMV. You'll pay a transfer fee, which is less than the cost of ordering a new personalized plate. Visit your tax collector's office or use the DMV website to process the transfer.

What if someone else has the combination I want?

Personalized plate combinations are unique — only one driver in Florida can have "MYPLATE" at a time. If your desired combination is already taken, the DMV system will tell you when ready when you check availability. You'll need to choose a different combination.

How much does a personalized plate cost?

The personalized plate fee varies and is added to your standard registration renewal cost. Contact your county tax collector's office or check the DMV website for the current fee in your area, as it can differ between counties.

Can I order a personalized plate if my vehicle registration is expired?

No. Your vehicle registration must be current to order a personalized plate. If your registration has expired, renew it first through your tax collector's office or the DMV website, then submit your personalized plate request.

What if I want to go back to a standard plate after having a personalized one?

You can request a standard plate at any time by contacting your tax collector's office or the DMV. You'll stop paying the personalized plate fee at your next renewal, and the DMV will issue you a standard random-combination plate.