Motor Vehicles General Information

All motor vehicles 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 operations to accomplish this job. The Tax Collector works very closely with this state agency to ensure all transactions are concluded according to state statutes.

Tag Registration and Renewal

Florida uses a metal license plate with an alpha numeric system, meaning there are combinations of letters and numbers used for identification. The license plate is displayed on the rear of the vehicle with the exception of certain commercial vehicles. The plate is issued to the owner for ten years. The owner will receive a new plate (with new numbers and letters) during the tenth year.

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. The exceptions to this are company owned and short term lease vehicles, which expire in June. Long term lease vehicles are staggered throughout the calendar year, and truck-tractors, semi-trailers, and trucks weighing over 5,000 pounds are renewed in December. Nine passenger and over vehicles used for hire and mobile homes are also renewed in December. All vehicles are licensed according to weight. Travel trailers and mobile homes are licensed according to length.

Renew Registration by Mail or Online

License plates can be renewed by mail, and returned to the owner.
Renew online at GoRenew.com

To renew by mail we must have:
1. The license plate or vehicle identification number.
2. The registered owner(s) first and last name(s).
3. A copy of the proof of Florida Insurance for the vehicle(s).
4. Check or Money Order made payable to: "Von Fraser, Alachua County Tax Collector".
5. If requesting an address change/correction, we must have a ledgible copy of the registered owners Florida drivers license or Florida identification card.

To renew online you must have:
1. Your Florida Drivers License OR Social Security Number OR Florida License Plate
2. Date of Birth
3. Last four digits of your Social Security Number
4. Credit Card (only accepted online)
5. Pen & Paper

Proof of Insurance

Proof of insurance (binder, policy, or card) from a certified Florida agent or broker is required to purchase and renew a license plate in Florida. The vehicle owner must present to the Tax Collector documentation of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in the amount of at least $ 10,000 combined bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance in the amount of $ 10,000. Motorcycles, mobile homes, and utility trailers are exempt from the insurance requirement.

When a customer cancels insurance on his/her vehicle, he/she should make every effort to obtain the current physical license plate and surrender it to the department to avoid suspension of his/her driver license. This may not be possible in the case of a stolen license plate. In this instance, however, the customer is responsible for reporting that the license plate was stolen.

Surrender of License Plates

The license plate is the property of the original owner. The license plate owner is allowed to transfer his/her license plate to a replacement vehicle, in his/her name(s), or in the event of a death the license plate can be transferred to the surviving spouse. A person cannot use someone else’s license plate unless they are the surviving spouse or the license plate owner is added to the title of the vehicle. If the license plate is not transferred, it must be surrendered to our office for cancellation.

If the license plate is not surrendered and cancelled, the license plate owner will be responsible for the unauthorized use of his/her license plate and suspension of his/her driver’s license. The requirement of surrendering and canceling the license plate does not apply to motorcycles or utility trailers.

When the license plate is physically unavailable for surrender, an affidavit is acceptable in lieu of the actual license plate.

Rates

Vehicle Registration Prices

Annual license taxes, for the operation of motor vehicles is defined by Florida Statutes, and must be paid at the time of registration and renewal. All fees are subject to change by Legislative Act.

Classification	Net Weight	1 Year Registration	2 Year Registration

1 Automobile	thru 2499	$ 46.65	$93.30
2 Automobile	2500 - 3499	$ 57.65	$115.30
3 Automobile	3500 - up	$ 71.15	$142.30

1 Truck	thru 1999	$ 46.65	$93.30
2 Truck	2000 - 3000	$ 57.65	$115.30
3 Truck	3001 - 5000	$ 71.15	$142.30
4 Truck	5001 - Up	Call our office	(352) 374-5236

Travel Trailer		$ 52.65	$105.30
Motor Home		$ 72.90	$145.80
Motorcycle		$ 41.65	$83.30

Initial Registration Fee

The initial application for registration for a motor vehicle, a $ 225.00 initial registration fee may be imposed. This fee applies to private automobiles, motor homes and trucks weighing less than 5,000 pounds. There are exemptions to this fee, including, but not limited to the following:

Transfer of a license plate from a motor vehicle that has been disposed or is currently not in operable condition to a newly acquired motor vehicle

Registration renewal

Transfer of title between co-owners

Military Rates

Members of the Armed Forces stationed in Florida, but who maintain their legal residence out side the State of Florida, are classified as non-resident military and are eligible for special registration rates. To qualify for the special rates, Florida law requires that the vehicle owner must submit a copy of their military orders or a current leave & earning statement for review. Proof of insurance is mandatory.

If the vehicle is not titled in Florida, a copy of the out-of-state title is required for application (DHSMV form 82042). The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) must be verified by a Tax Collector employee, Florida notary, motor vehicle dealer, or a state or military law enforcement officer. State Statutes require the VIN be verified yearly upon registration.

Regular rates will apply if the non-resident's status changes. Also, if military orders transfer the owner out of the state of Florida, they are no longer entitled to Florida registration. If the vehicle owner is a Florida resident, the vehicle can be registered in Florida, by signing a military insurance exemption affidavit , furnishing an out-of-state address, and a copy of the military orders, or an affidavit from their commanding officer, confirming their date of assignment.

A packet with many of the necessary military forms is available HERE.

(WARNING: Military personnel who file for non-resident status on a vehicle will not be eligible to file homestead exemption in the State of Florida. Contact the Alachua County Property Appraisers' Office for more information).

License Plates

Specialty and Personalized License Plates

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SPECIALTY TAGS

Specialty tags may be purchased at the Tax Collector's office. These plates carry unique designs, that were created to honor specific organizations. In addition to the annual license tax, there is an annual users fee ranging from $ 15.00 to $ 25.00 which goes to the particular organization for that license plate. Additionally there is an annual $ 5.00 processing fee and a $ 28.00 fee each time a new plate is issued. The user fee and processing fee are charged each year in addition to the registration fee, upon renewal.

Personalized License Plates

Personalized tags may be ordered from the tax collector. Application for the initial personalized tag can be made at any time. A $ 28.00 plate fee and $ 15.00 personalization fee is charged, upon initial application, in addition to the registration fee. The $ 15.00 personalization fee is charged each year upon renewal. Specialty license plates can also be personalized for the additional annual costs of the specialty tag.

If your current tag is 10 years old, you must order your new personalized tag two(2) months ahead of expiration.

A Personalized License Plate Application are available up at the Tax Collector's office or you may click here to download form HSMV 83043.

Sales Tax

Sales tax is required, by Florida Statute, at 6% of the purchase price, less trade-in, on vehicle, vessel or mobile home purchases. As an agent for The Florida Department of Revenue, the Tax Collector is responsible for collection, and disbursement of this state sales tax.

Vehicle Titles

Florida Vehicle Titles

Florida Vehicle Titles can now be issued by this office at the time of the transaction for an additional fee of $ 10.00 or you may have the title returned to your address within 3 - 4 weeks by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in Tallahassee.

To transfer a Florida Title, the seller must complete the transfer information on the current title, including the purchaser's name, selling price and odometer reading at the time of sale. The purchaser then completes from HSMV 82040, to make application for title, and signs the face of the title in the "transfer of title" section of the title. In the case of a lost title, a duplicate title can be applied for using form HSMV 82101. A duplicate or lost title may be applied for when the vehicle owner is not present, provided the vehicle owner signs a Power of Attorney, form HSMV 82053. A Bill of Sale may be submitted for proof of purchase price. Sales tax will be collected if applicable. All transfers of ownership must be completed within 30 days of the date the vehicle is assigned by the seller or a $ 20.00 fee is levied at the time of transfer.

Out-of-State Titles

An out-of-state title must be submitted as proof of ownership and if transfer of ownership is involved, it must be properly assigned indicating the new owner's name and address. An application for Florida title must be completed and accompanied by verification of the Vehicle Identification number (VIN) and odometer reading (DHSMV form 82042). The VIN verification cannot be performed at the Alachua County Downtown location. The owner(s) or purchaser(s) must sign this form or give power of attorney. Sales tax will be collected if applicable.

New Vehicle Titles

All new vehicles are required to have a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) which must be signed and notarized by a licensed dealer for transfer to the buyer. To obtain a Florida title, the MCO must properly completed and attached to the title application form (DHSMV form 82040) . The information must include the owner's complete name and Florida address, date of birth, sex, driver license number, a complete description of the vehicle, and any lien to be recorded. Sales tax will be collected if applicable.

Fast Title

This office has a fast title service for an additional $ 10.00. We can print a title for you to have when you leave the office.

Parking Permits for Disabled Persons

A placard can be purchased by an individual with disabilities that limit or impair their ability to walk or is certified legally blind. The parking permit entitles the driver transporting the disabled passenger to utilize handicap parking facilities. The placard is transferable to any vehicle transporting the disabled person. The placard is to be hung on the rear view mirror when using the designated parking spaces. Applicants and their physician are required to sign for the placard. Placards are valid for four years expiring on the applicants date of birth. There is no fee. HSMV 83039.

A temporary disabled parking permit is also available in six month increments, which are to be determined by a physician and marked as such on the form. The fee is $ 15.00.

Mobile Homes

In Florida, mobile homes must be registered. A numbered decal, instead of a metal license plate, is issued for identification. State statutes require mobile home registrations be renewed annually by December 31. A delinquent fee is charged if the registration is not renewed by the 10th of the following month.

Registration fees are set by the Department of Motor Vehicles and are based on the length of the mobile home. Double wide and triple wide mobile homes are considered two and three separate units respectively, and the owner must purchase that many decals. Mobile home owners are required to display the decal in a window clearly visible from the road in front of the home.

To register a mobile home, the owner must present to the Tax Collector's Office the following documents:

1.) the current or last issued Florida Vehicle Registration Certificate for the mobile home (if lost, furnish the most current decal number)

2.) the title to the mobile home (if financed, the owner must obtain a copy from the lien holder) if the Registration Certificate is not available

3.) the title (from Florida or any other state) signed off by the previous owner if it has not been transferred into the current owner's name and the bill of sale (the Tax Office will process the transfer).

Decals

Real Property (RP) Decals

All mobile homes or recreational vehicles permanently affixed to the owner's land and declared as Real Property are issued a permanent "RP" decal. Owners must obtain a DR-402 form from the Property Appraiser's office, indicating the land and mobile home titles are in the same owner name, before applying for the "RP" decal from the Tax Collector's Office.

"RP" decals are permanent and transferable to the new owner when the land and mobile home are sold as a unit. Cost for "RP" decals are $ 7.60 per unit.

Registration and Decal Change In Appearance

Florida's vehicle registration and decals have changed.

Identifying numbers, as follows, will be printed on the decal when it is issued, which will help prevent theft.

License plate number assigned to the vehicle, truck/tractor or trailer.
Identification number when issued to a mobile home.
Florida Number (FL#) when assigned to a vessel.
Driver License number when a disabled parking placard is issued.

The lemon yellow background and black lettering, on the new decal make it more visible, and the same colors will be used each year, with changing expiration dates.