Tom Swain - Tax Collector

Auto Tags

All motor vehicles, mobile homes and trailers in the State of Florida must be registered, and/or titled. It is the responsibility of the Tax Collector, in his capacity as agent for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, to provide the necessary services and operation to accomplish this.

TAG REGISTRATION AND RENEWAL:

Vehicles are registered on a staggered basis according to the registered owner's birth month. The registration expires at midnight on the owner's birthday. Exceptions are mobile home registrations, which are renewed in December; company owned vehicles must be renewed in June; truck-tractors, semi-trailers, trucks over 5000 lbs., and 9 passenger and over automobiles for hire, which must be renewed in December; lease vehicles which renew on a staggered basis throughout the year. The Tax Collector must check proof of insurance on all motor vehicles, except trailers and motorcycles. A delinquent fee is imposed on persons failing to timely register these vehicles. Renewals can be made three months in advance.

TAG/PLATE:

Florida uses a metal plate with a series of alpha numeric numbering systems, or combination thereof, depending on the type of vehicle. The renewal sticker, denoting the birth month, is placed in the upper left hand corner and the numbered year decal in the upper right hand corner. The county name is embossed across the bottom of the plate. Plates are kept for a five year period. On the 6th year of renewal, a new plate and decal are issued.

PROOF OF INSURANCE:

Proof of Florida insurance is required to purchase a license plate in Florida. The minimum insurance requirement is Personal injury protection (PIP) in the amount of at least $10,000 and at least $10,000 in protection damage liability (PDL) insurance. Commercial trucks require additional insurance. Contact the Tax Collector's Office for information.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

In order to maintain accurate records, and to help ensure that each registered owner receives a tag renewal notice, all changes of address must be reported to the Tax Collector's Office within 20 days. The owner should provide the tag numbers with the change of address report.

* NOTE: It is the responsibility of each registered owner to see that the registration is kept current. Notices are mailed as a service only, and to facilitate renewal.

INITIAL REGISTRATION:

A $100.00 Initial Registration fee is imposed the first time a license plate is purchased for a vehicle. This applies to private automobiles, motor homes, trucks less than 5,000 pounds, with an Out of State or Florida title.

VERIFICATION OF VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS:

All motor vehicles not previously titled in Florida must have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verified by a Florida motor vehicle dealer, law enforcement officer, or Florida notary public or this service may also be done at the Tax Collector's office. Contact the Tax Collector's Office for more information.

RATES:

Annual license taxes, for the operation of a motor vehicle as defined in F.S. 320.01 shall be paid upon registration or re-registration. The following are 12-month rates with FIRST TIME Initial Registration fee of $100.00 plus a metal plate fee of $10.00.

Automobile
(Private Use)
Weight

under 2500 lbs. $28.10

2500 through 3499 lbs. $36.10

3500 lbs. and up $46.10

Lightweight Trucks
Weight

Through 1999 lbs. $28.10

2000 through 3000 lbs. $36.10

3001 through 5000 lbs. $46.10

MAIL FEE:

The decal and registration receipt can be mailed to the owner for a $.65 mail fee. Metal tags can be mailed for $2.05 mail fee. These amounts must be added to the annual rates.

Specialized Tags

FLORIDA PERSONALIZED TAGS:

Personalized Tags are ordered from the Tax Collector's Office. Cost of the tag is $22.00 the first year in addition to the annual tax and fees. After the first year the cost is $12.00 per year plus annual tax and fees. Personalized tags may be ordered for private or company owned cars, trucks, motor homes, motorcycles and leased vehicles. Specialty plates are also available for personalization with additional annual fees that vary based on the type of license plate.

MISCELLANEOUS TAGS:

Contact your Tax Collector's Office at (352) 793-0265 for detailed information on available tags such as sports teams, college and universities, special projects and endangered species.

PARKING PLACARD FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS

A Florida Parking Placard is issued to any individual with disabilities that limit or impair the ability to walk or is certified as legally blind. The placard is valid for up to 4 years. If your disability is temporary you may also receive a placard for up to one year. A form must be completed by your physician or other qualifying agency. Contact the Tax Collector's Office for forms and more information. Applicants must have a Florida Drivers License or Florida ID Card.

The fee for a temporary placard is $15.00. There is no charge for a 4 year placard.

An additional card may be issued ONLY to organizations or persons who certify they are frequent travelers or quadriplegic. This fee is $1.00.

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