France was the first country to introduce a registration plate by 1893. Germany and the Netherlands followed suit. In the U.S., New York required tags by 1903. And Florida required residents to register their vehicles by 1905, asking them to make their own until 1918 when the Sunshine State started to issue license plates.
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A license plate, tag or vehicle registration plate basically identifies a vehicle to its owner. In Florida, it’s the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that issues tags, but companies such as eTags can renew registration and tags sending out license plates by mail. Today’s standardized size is six inches by twelve inches with mounting holes, but it wasn’t until 1956 that the first Florida license plate complied with these measurements.
Through the years, the look of Florida tags changed from various colors for letters and digits, to different colors for the plate like red, black, and blue, to embossed lettering and mottos too. There are various types of license plates in the Sunshine State, not to mention a specific way of disposing old ones that aren’t in use anymore.
The standard Florida tag
The most common tag is the standard license plate. There are a little over 22 million standard tags in the Sunshine State. Options include county name plate (but not available for all counties, so verify with your local tax collector’s office), Sunshine State plate or In God We Trust plate.
The personalized license plate
A personalized license plate is a little different than a specialty tag. If you have unique digits or letters you’d like on your license plate, then that’s considered personalized. You can have up to seven characters with additional space or a hyphen or just go for five characters. You can check if the configuration is available here. MIAMI, WIFEY and ALISON!, and SURFN can work if available.
The specialty registration Plate
If you’d like to support a specific organization or cause, you can order a specialty plate. You can support the environment, a special interest, a college or university and the like. There are even military license plates for those who have served the country.
The temporary tag
In some cases, the state of Florida allows temporary license plates for 10,30 or 90 days depending on why the plate is issued. The most common situation for a Florida temporary tag is for car dealerships. When a dealer sells a car, and the buyer doesn’t have a license plate, a temporary tag is placed on the vehicle. Typically, this is for a month’s time giving the buyer the chance to register for a new plate.
Other times, a temporary license plate is given to vehicles required to weighed or if a motorcycle has to have their VIN number verified or inspected for title purposes. These types of temporary Florida plates are given for 10 days.
Another 30-day temporary tags go out to private car sales, or if a vehicle is sold in Florida but driven to another state. If you’re waiting on a specialty or personalized plate, you may get a temporary Florida tag for 90 days. The same goes for someone who’s temporarily employed in Florida.
Disposing of Florida license plates
It’s important to note that license plates in Florida belong to the state. They have to be returned either in person or by mail to a motor vehicle service center, if the decal hasn’t expired and if car insurance is not maintained. You can look online for your county’s service center. If a Florida tag is lost, damaged or stolen, there’s an affidavit called “Surrender of a License Plate by Owner” that has to be completed than mailed.
90 comments
I don’t have my license or license plate for my car. If I have a temporary tag could I get my license that way.
To get a driver’s license in FL, you must pass exam and road test
I live in MD and just got a truck delivered in MD. I plan to register and title it in Florida but I need to drive it to Florida. I don’t plan to come to Florida until November but need to do repairs and drive it in MD for meantime. Do I get a temporary tag in MD or Florida?
If you’ll be driving it in MD for a while, you need tags from MD. Once in FL, you’ll need an out of state title transfer plus registration and insurance in fl. You can process that paperwork online.
I am traveling to Florida to purchase a vehicle, I am inquiring if I can obtain a 90 day temporary permit as I will be permanently titling it in minnesota.
To get a temporary license plate for FL, you must go to the FL DMV. Here’s some info
I am moving out of state in less than 90 days and my Tags need to be renewed. Is it possible to get a temporary tag rather than renewing as I won’t be living here for more than a month after renewal?
Unfortunately, you’ll need to renew your registration to have it legal for the next 90 days. If you’re moving to a state we service, we can help you transfer it online and send you new plate for your new state. We can help you get registered in New York, California, Connecticut, Maryland, or Ohio. Use this link to place an order in one of these states!
We are shipping a vehicle to Miami from Costa Rica. We originally shipped it to Costa Rica from PA 4 years ago. Can we get a temporary plate so we can drive it to PA?
Hi Linda. That’s going to be a tough one. A question only the DMV can answer truly. Typically, there are pretty defined guidelines as to when a temporary tag is issued. This is worth a trip to DMV to find out.
I have a business and in need of a drive away plate. How do I get one in the state of Florida?
If you mean a temporary license plate, you can go to Tax Collector or tag agency with the title, insurance, and required forms. If you just need a FL standard license plate, you can apply online and it’ll be delivered to your business or residence.
If I am buying a trailer camper and need to drive it in Florida. I need temporary tags since it is a private sell while I have a chance to go to tax collector and have camper registered. Do you guys can provide temporary tag service?.
Hi Robert! We don’t provide temporary tags however you can complete the entire title and registration transfer online with eTags. We can ship your plate to you anywhere in the country! Place an order here! If you need any assistance getting this completed, I’d be happy to help!
My plate was stolen 2/27/2023. I made on line police report and sent all papers to dvm. Can I drive car to store with a carboard tag? Thank you
We would never advise that you drive a vehicle without a legal state license plate. The good news is, we can help you replace it quickly. Use my link to place an order with eTags to replace your registration/ license plate. Since you already filed an online police report, you’re ahead of the game! It’s quick and we can have your new license plate to you in just a few days!
I moved from FL to OH and currently have a OH Drivers License. My car is still in FL with a friend who intends to buy it. The License Plate expired in Nov. I tried to renew it but was unable to since I live out of state. How do I get a temporary license while she is completing the sale process? She may make payments to me or get a loan.
Hi Dianne,
I sent you an email with some information on your options! I hope this helps!
I am waiting for a title transfer and was issued a temporary tags for 30 days. Now they due date is tomorrow but I went in today to get one and I was denied it and was told to come in tomorrow which I can’t due to traveling. Is that right?
Hey there, here’s a bit more details on temporary tags.
I’m moving to Florida in two weeks. My tags expire before moving there. I will be living in temporary housing, can I get license plates from Florida even though I don’t have a permanent address yet?
As long as you have a Valid Florida insurance and a Utility bill from the temporary housing you will be staying at or a Notarized letter granting eTags permission to send you title and new plates to the address you wants
I’m trading in my car but won’t get the new one being ordered for 4 to 6 months. Do I contact the DMV now to let them know I still have my plate, will they credit me for the time the plate isn’t in use, and then I re-register my new car for that plate when I get it?
The state will not give you credit for the time the plate is not in use.
I’m purchasing a vehicle in Florida. I reside in Michigan. I’m planning on driving it back to Michigan. Am I able to go into a place in Florida and obtain a temporary plate? I read something which stated only Florida residents were able to make appointments. Any help would be greatly appreciated 🤗
Hello there, this article may help you find more info on temporary license plates
I’m buying a vehicle from a buy here pay here place and I’m on my second temp tag and it expired they told me I can only get two and I have to wait till they get the title and that switched in order for me to use my vehicle is this true
Yes it’s true, two temp tags. The dealership should be able to get you the title.
I live in TN and just bought a car in Mississippi (which doesn’t use temporary tags). We’re leaving for a 6 week stay in FL on January 15th and its looming like we won’t get our plates in time before we leave. Is it possible to get a temporary tag while we’re in FL?
Check out temporary license plates on the FL DMV website
Hi, Can you help me please.
I want to buy a new car in FL but I live in GA.
Dealer told me now that there is only one chance to pick up that car. I am supposed to do temporary registration in FL and incurence for a minimum of 2 months, and then I can pick up that car.
But the question is, do I need to pay sale taxes?
Hi there! If you’re looking to purchase a car at a dealership out of state, then the dealership can issue temp tags to transport the vehicle back to your home state. If they can’t, I would recommend inquiring with the Georgia DMV about how to obtain a temporary tag. I hope this helps!
I’m purchasing a car from a private owner in Florida where I live and I would like to know if I can get a tag without the title for the car.
no you can’t register a vehicle without your name on a title to prove ownership
I am planning to buy a car from a Private sale in Mississippi, I live in Florida. what is the best way to drive that car from Mississippi to Florida, if FL issue any Temp tag? if yes what is process for the same
Unfortunately, Florida does not offer temporary license plates for such cases, it is only offered for those whose purchase a vehicle in Florida and plan to drive it back to their home state. However, you may be able to obtain a drive- out temporary license plate form a DMV in Mississippi. Another way to go, if you’re staying around ten days or so in Mississippi, is to do the title transfer online with Fl registration with eTags. We can ship paperwork to Mississippi, the issue with that is we don’t know how long you’ll be there or if they’ll be issues with mail delivery. You’ll be able to download an e-tag for proof of registration while you drive it back. Final option, you can have the seller mail all of the documents to you in FL, and eTags online complete the transfer and once you get the license plate, you can travels to Mississippi to pick up the vehicle.
We purchased a car from an on line one-stop-shopping company. While we are waiting for our title this company sends us temporary tags. Because of long delays we are on our third set of temporary tags. They claim they can only issue tags three times for the same vehicle. What do we have to do to get temporary tags on our own while we wait for the Title?
Hello there, you can find info on this FL DMV article, by temporary tags section, you’ll see both dealer and non-dealer usage.
I need a temporary tag. I bought a car in Florida, I need to eventually bring it up to New York, what’s involved in getting that?
Hi there! Thank you for your comment. We can certainly help you with getting your vehicle registered in New York so that you can bring it up from Florida! The good news is, no need for a temporary tag if you complete this online with eTags. We operate in both Florida and New York! You can visit our website here to place an order in New York for a title transfer with a new registration. You only need the original title, your license, and your New York state insurance. We’ll process the whole transaction online, mail your actual license plate to you, and give you 10 days to get your NY inspection completed if applicable! Let me know once you’ve placed your order (sara@etags.com) and I can personally monitor the request and see it through! I hope this helps!
Hi there, I recently received an unknown unpaid parking citation from Professional Account Management (PAM) which was due the last month. I am surprised because it is different from my DMV account number and the tag number is also not mine. Lastly, when I checked www2.miami-dadeclerk.com/ for the unpaid parking citation the vehicle details are far different from my vehicle. The car details from the parking citation is a Dodge (White) while I have a Jeep (Black). I hope you can help me with this issue. Thank you very much in advance.
Hi there, we’re a private title and registration company. For your parking citation, call your local city or dmv.
What if u r selling the old car and has to have plate staying on it till we sell I want a 30 day tag in citrus county
for a temporary tag, check out these dmv centers where you can get one https://www.flhsmv.gov/locations/citrus/
I have temporary tags while waiting for custom plates, they expired, I’m getting a new car & the other is going in storage, no more driving it, I plan to switch the custom plates to the new car, do I have to return my expired temporary in storage, I don’t want to have to catch another flight just for that
Temporary license plates are typically in paper format and don’t need to be returned, they expire after 30 days generally.
What to do if my temporary tag is finished after 8 days the dealer where still doesn’t give me my tag?
Thank you for your comment! The dealership is required to complete your tag and title work if you’ve paid your fees and a temporary tag has been issued. If your temporary tag is set to expire, reach out to the dealership and find out the status of the transaction! The dealership may have to take steps to issue another temporary tag if the DMV hasn’t completed your transaction yet.
I sold my car on Sunday. I am going to get a new car, but I don’t know if it will be this month or in November or December. Am I able to hold on to my plates until I get a new car, or do I have to turn them in?
Yes you could keep your plates!
Hello, i bought a car last week from a dealership and i want to know if a have to go to dmv to get my plate and tags or is going to be mailed to me.
Typically, the dealership handles everything and mails you the paperwork or you would pick it up at the dealership. You can always call them to see what their procedures are like.
I just moved down to Florida. My South Carolina tags expire by the end of this month. I can’t get an appointment at my DMV until end of november. Can I be issued a temporary tag? If so, how do I go about doing so?
Hello there, to register your south carolina vehicle in Florida you have to first transfer the title to a FL title then register. You can do both with eTags online at https://www.etags.com/app/fl?utm_source=blog_question
Select transfer title/registration to begin
Hello,
I bought a car in New York and sent it down to Florida without registering it in New York. Is there a way to get temporary tags in Florida in order to drive car to DMV and get paperwork done? Or do I have to pay taxes and submit paperwork prior to getting a temp tag?
You cannot legally drive the car if it does not have valid tags from either Florida or another state. Assuming that your vehicle has a title from New York or another state, you may qualify for a 10 day temporary tag in order to obtain a VIN verification for which you would be required to visit a DMV or tax collector office to obtain. You may also use eTags’ online title transfer and registration service but you would not receive your new registration and plates until we have received the current title in the mail. The fastest option to obtain your new registration is to visit a DMV office, but if you are unable to drive the vehicle and can wait to receive the new registration in the mail, give eTag a try.
I recently bought a new car from a licensed Toyota dealership and the car came with a license plate and registration decal. They also said that they will take care of the title and registration processes. How do I know if this is really a license plate plate assigned to me or if it is a temporary dealer license plate. Do they look different. Mine has the normal Florida theme. When I check the gorenew website it shows the record but does not specify if this is a temporary dealer tag or not . Are dealers able to provide you with a new tag when buying a car ? Thanks in advance.
Typically a temp tag is paper, while the standard FL plates are metal and reflective. Yes the dealership should be able to handle your title and registration, and provide you with tags. It be best to contact you dealership and ask what you can expect, ask for how they specifically operate.
According to the FL dmv: “A licensed dealer is required to apply for a tag and title within 30 days, during which the buyer will be issued a temporary paper tag. It is a violation of Florida Statutes for a dealer to issue a second temporary tag.”
https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/buying-vehicle-florida/buying-licensed-dealer/
Hello!
I have seemed to misplaced my decal for 2022. I did already pay to register my car with the state, but I am not sure how I get a new decal and what the price is. Please help!
Thanks
hey there, you can go to eTags and order a replacement online. Go to https://www.etags.com/app/us?utm_source=blog_question
and select FL, then “Replace license plate or sticker” and follow the prompts.
Hello. I am buying a car in Florida but I am driving to Rhode island for a new job. I am driving there before the job starts to visit apartments so I do not have a residence in Rhode Island yet. Can i get a temporary tag in Florida for 30 days or something? Also do I have to register the car in Florida and then reregister the car when i get a place in Rhode Island?
Yes, eTags issues temp tags for FL, however, it’s only for out-state-titles with liens that are being transferred to Florida. Since you want to register your vehicle in Rhode Island, you would need to go in person to obtain Drive-out Temp Tag. This temp tag is good for 180 days (6 months).
i have a question-my truck got repoed, the bank switched the title to their name, i paid to get it back and there was no mention of fixing the title until i went to renew my tag. now i’m waiting on an electronic copy of title all in florida. how do i get a copy of my title sooner than 6-8 weeks? the vin is registered to me but the title is registered to the bank. my tag isn’t even registered anymore. can i get a temp tag til i get the title put back in my name? or what do i do to get my vehicle back on the road?
When you receive the original copy of the title, you can submit an order to transfer the title and register the vehicle in your name by visiting
https://www.etags.com/app/fl?utm_source=blog_question For the reviewing process, we require an image of the original title, your driver license and proof of Florida liability insurance.
How do you get a 6 month temp plate in fl?
hello there, you’ll find info and details in this article: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/license-plates-registration/
I surrendered my license plate and I’m currently waiting on a replacement to be sent in the mail. Is there anyway I can get a temporary tag ?
Here’s some info from the FL DMV about temporary tags: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/license-plates-registration/
When temp plate says expires on 28th, does that mean at midnight on the 27th or is plate good through midnight the 28th?
Florida vehicle registration shows a date at the top right corner and even indicates “midnight” next to that date. This shows that the registration expires on that specific date and time and must be renewed before that expiration.
Technically the very next day past that specific date your license plate is considered expired.
Hello! I bought a car from an online dealer that is located in California. They will ship the car to me here in Florida. They will handle the vehicle registration but they say I have to handle the temporary registration. How would I go about this? I have a valid tag from a leased car that I am about to return, can I use this? Thanks!
Unfortunately, you cannot physically transfer a tag from a leased vehicle onto the new car you purchased in California. You must wait until the tag is legally transferred under the new vehicle. While you wait for the dealer to complete the registration, you can purchase a temporary license plate at your local dmv: https://www.flhsmv.gov/locations/
I am temporarily employed in FL. In order to get a 90-day temporary license plate what do I need to provide to do so?
You’d have to go to your local DMV to apply for a temp tag, check if you need an appointment before going due to the pandemic. Here’s a bit of info: https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/license-plates-registration/
Hi
I like to buy a car from a private seller in Florida and get a temporary registration to drive it back to my home state of Pennsylvania.
Is this possible?
Do you handle these if it is possible?
Thanks!
We don’t handle temp registrations, typically you would get it from a dealership but since you bought from a private seller…perhaps a traditional tag agency or reach out to DMV. Here’s some info on that: https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/buying-vehicle-florida/buying-private-sale/#:~:text=The%20buyer%20may%20purchase%20a,when%20purchasing%20the%20temporary%20tag.
I’m purchasing a car from a Florida dealership and I live out of state.
Due to COVID the registration process is taking longer than normal.
I’m on my third temp tag.
How many temp tags can the dealership provide to me?
Thank you!
https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/license-plates-registration/
I am a New Jersey resident and I am buying a vehicle in Florida from a dealer, how do I take it to Jersey and register it, I would need a 60 day temp tag
typically the dealer is the one to do all the paperwork regarding your new vehicle, they should be able to prove all you need including title, registration, and you could contact them directly about the temp plate. Here’s an article from the FL DMV about temporary license plates
https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/license-plates-registration/ so you know what to expect
Do I have to return my temporary tags? I have one for a car I just sold, and a dealership temporary tag for a car I recently bought.
We’re not sure we understand the question, but if you’re referring to the paper plates. Those usually just expire in 30 days (the time it takes the dealership to register them and get actual plates).
I hope I’m not asking an obvious question, but could you walk me thru this a little more? I’m an Orange County buyer, purchasing from an Osceola private seller who is only available weekends (DMV is closed). He has the paper title which he’ll complete the details of the sale & odometer deets as well as the VIN verification. CAN I HAVE THOSE ITEMS IN HAND AND NO TEMPORARY PLATE in order to drive home and get to the DMV during business hours?
I’ll have the insurance covered, and does it matter which county I bring those items to, in order to get the temporary plate? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!
eTags is a private company that offers title and registration online so there’s no actual visit needed. Should you want to use our services, you can go to https://www.etags.com/app/fl?utm_source=blogquestion
If you’d like to go in-person to your local DMV, here’s some information on temporary tags in FL
https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/buying-vehicle-florida/buying-private-sale/#:~:text=The%20buyer%20may%20purchase%20a,when%20purchasing%20the%20temporary%20tag.
Florida law provides for a variety of legal uses of temporary license plates. Temporary license plates may be used for a period of 10, 30, or 90 days according to the purpose for which the plate is issued.
Hello. If I’m to go off of the above post… I’m trying to get a vehicle from NC to FL and it will be driven. Do I need to obtain temporary tags through NC in order to drive it to FL? Then once it’s in FL I apply for FL tags? What about registration for the car? I know I can put the car on my insurance before it’s driven just wanted to double check on the plates and registration process first. Thanks.
Hi there, you can place a Florida title and registration order with etags to get Florida plates and we will mail the plates to NC and then you can drive the car. Visit https://www.etags.com/app/fl?utm_source=blogquestion
You can also apply for temporary tags to have the car on the road thru the NC DMV.
I am considering purchasing a vehicle from out of state (Pennsylvania) from a private seller. How can I legally drive the vehicle from PA to Florida and register here?
Hey there, you can either get temporary PA plates which he would have to do directly with PennDot since eTags doesn’t offer temp tags. Then drive the car to FL where you can apply for his FL tags at https://www.etags.com/app/fl?utm_source=blogquestion. Unless you have an immediate need to drive the car to FL, you could simply just apply for you FL tags with us online and get the FL tags delivered to you in PA where you could them drive the vehicle to FL with the permanent FL tags.
My car is ready for an antique tag.Will I get sent one automatically get sent one?
Assuming you did not register with etags, If your vehicle is due for renewal, the FL DMV should’ve sent you a renewal notice.