Florida Custom License Plates: What’s Allowed and What’s Not

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Hey there, Florida drivers! Thinking of jazzing up your license plate with some DIY flair? Before you grab that airbrush or vinyl wrap, let’s talk about what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to customizing your ride.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is putting out a friendly reminder: altering your license plate’s appearance with methods like airbrushing or vinyl wrapping is a no-go. It turns out that these changes are illegal under Florida law. The rules are pretty clear—any modifications to your vehicle registration certificates, license plates, or temporary plates are strictly prohibited.

Since 2020, citations for these violations have skyrocketed by over 98%. If you’re caught, you could be slapped with a moving violation citation, a $60 fine, three points on your license, and additional fees set by your county. Yikes!

So, what if you’ve already given your license plate a makeover and now need to fix it? The solution is simple: get a new one. Swing by your nearest tax collector’s office or a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) agency to replace the altered plate.

But don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to show off your personality legally. Here are some options:

Specialty License Plate Gift Certificates
Want to give a unique gift? You can buy a gift certificate for any specialty license plate at authorized motor vehicle offices (like state DMV offices or local tax collector offices). The annual fee ranges from $15 to $25, depending on the plate you choose. The recipient can redeem the certificate later for the plate they want. Just a heads-up: the funds support the plate’s sponsoring organization, and refunds aren’t available. Some cool specialty plates 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
If you’re a veteran or active military, there are special plates for you, too. Most military plates can be obtained at state DMV offices. For special plates like the Medal of Honor or Silver Star, you’ll need to place an order through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Send your requests to: Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS #72, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. For more details, check out this link.

Personalized License Plates
Fancy a plate with your own unique touch? Head to a Florida DMV service center or tag agency to order a personalized plate. It’ll cost you a $15 annual fee for personalization. Just fill out the “Application for Personalized License Plate” and bring it with you. You can also use the Personalized License Plate Inquiry service to see if your desired plate configuration is available.

So there you have it! Keep your license plates legal and stylish with these options. If you have any more questions or need help with the process, feel free to ask. Safe driving, Florida!