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florida registration renewal - FL

Renew your Florida vehicle registration now and avoid going to the DMV. Get all the forms, rules and steps required for your FL registration renewal. Drivers in the state of Florida have a few different renewal options. The fastest and most convenient method is to renew online. Another suitable option is to renew by sending your application via mail. If you do not qualify for any of those methods, you are always welcome to stop by a driver license office. Your final alternative is to let us handle everything for you by reading the following Registration Renewal DMV guide. We’ll prepare you with all of the important forms, rules, and steps.

Florida Registration Renewal Information

Expiration Date

Your car's registration in the Sunshine State will expire either every year or every two (2) years. If your vehicle is owned in your personal name, it will usually expire the day of your birthday (at midnight). If the car is registered under multiple people, it will expire on the birth date of the person who shows up first (on the registration form). If your vehicle is not owned by a person (ex: by a corporation), it will expire every 30th of June. If you are trying to renew a mobile home, its expiration is every 31st of December. 

You must have your registration handy at all times while driving. If you are cited by a traffic officer, you will be asked to show your proof of vehicle registration and your driver's license. If it's been lost, please file for a registration replacement immediately.

Renewal Notice

You may receive a renewal reminder of your upcoming registration expiration. However, this is not required by Florida law. Therefore, you must not rely on receiving the notice in order to plan your renewal. If you do not renew on time, it is your own fault. Florida law permits the DMV to ask for your email address for the purpose of sending the renewal notice. Please make sure that the FL DMV has your latest mailing address on file. If you recently moved, make sure to perform a Florida vehicle registration address change. Not receiving your yearly reminder is not a problem, since it is not required to renew. If you have further questions for the Florida DMV, please give them a call at 850-617-2000 or by filling out the following contact form on the website. 

When To Renew

You may renew three (3) months before your registration expires. Use this allowance wisely and avoid having to renew close to your expiration or your vehicle's registration will expire. 

Expired Florida Registration

Do not drive a vehicle whose registration date has expired. You will risk getting a fine. Furthermore, at renewal time, the DMV will charge you an additional late / delinquent renewal fee. That fee varies but starts at $5.00 and goes as high as $250.00. The delinquent fee is charged after the eleventh (11th) day of the month following its expiration. The only exception to this rule is if you are currently serving in the U.S. military. Read the section below for exact details on military drivers.

Renew Florida Registration Online

You must meet the following conditions for online tag / registration renewal.

Requirements to Renew Online

  • The FL DMV must either have your social security number or driver license number tied to your registration information.
  • The FL DMV must have your auto insurance information in their system. If not, you may be denied online renewal. If your online renewal attempts fail, and you  do not have insurance, this could be the reason. 
  • You (or another person on the registration) must not have a suspended license or owe any money in fines or parking tickets.
  • If you are trying to renew your tag for a business registration, the FL DMV must have your FEIN.
  • If you do not meet the above conditions, read the section below titled in person or by mail.

STEPS

  1. With your internet browser, begin by CLICKING THE FOLLOWING LINK OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR WEBSITE.
  2. Agree to the Driver Privacy Protection Act Warning.
  3. Locate Your Records:  You will be asked to enter your last name AND your date of birth.
    • Note: Your last name must be identical to your registration's last name. If you use two last names, and they both appear on your registration, you must enter both last names.
  4. After your record is located based on the above information, you will need to enter your mailing address.
  5. You will be asked whether you are a Florida resident and whether you have a Social Security Number.
    • If you do have a social security number, please either enter the complete social security number OR the last 5 digits. 
    • If you do not have your social security number you must provide one of the following:
      • License Plate #, Title #, Documented Vessel #, Vessel FL #
  6. If you do not provide your complete social security number, you must also provide one of the following alongside the last 4 digits of your social security number:
    • Your driver license number OR ID card number OR title number OR license plate number OR documented vessel number OR vessel FL number
  7. Your information will be verified immediately and you will be given a few on screen instructions if successful.
  8. If successful, you will sent an email (to the address on file).
  9. You will be notified if your drivers license is eligibe to be renewed online. 
  10. You will also be asked whether you would like to update your emergency contact information on file.
    • This is very handy to have in the event of an emergency. That way, the state can easily contact your loved ones. 
  11. You will be asked whether you would like to register to join to become an organ and tissue donor. You can even join if you are under 18 years of age.
  12. Click the following link if you would like to learn more about Real ID.
  13. The DMV will mail your new registration between seven (7) to ten (10) business days. If you would like to receive the registration quicker than that, your only option will be to visit a driver license office in person.
  14. Using this online method, you will be charged an additional convenience fee of $2.00.
  15. You will also be asked whether you would like to update your email address on file. This is optional.
  16. You will see a summary with a list describing your Driver License number, vehicle registrations to renew, and the titles for your vehicles. You must decide on what action you would like to take.
    • You also have the option of requesting a Duplicate License OR if the option is allowed, you may request to have the DMV print your title and send it to you via mail.
  17. You will also have the option of paying for a host of voluntary contributions. A list will be presented to you at this step.
  18. You will be asked to confirm your mailing address that is on file.
    • Note: If you decide to change your residential address in this step, you must purchase a new drivers license or ID. Florida law requires you to update your address in no more than thirty (30) days after you have moved.
  19. Prepare to pay the registration renewal Fee. You have the option of renewing for one (1) year or even two (2) years. Your payment can be made either with a credit card (master card, visa, discover or american express), debit card or check (have banking information ready).
    • Note: The fee is not the same for everyone. Fees are determined based upon certain factors. These include the type and weight of your vehicle, plus state and tax collector fees. The FL DMV has set up an example to guide you on how registration fees are calculated.
  20. The DMV will mail your new registration and sticker in no more than ten (10) business days (it usually arrives much quicker than this).


Note: If it's been longer than twenty (20) days and you have still not received your registration, please contact the DMV via the following methods:

Website: Click Here.
Other Contact Pages: Click Here
Driver License Offices: Click Here

Phone Numbers: 850-617-2000

Florida Registration Renew by Mail

You may also prefer to send your payment via postal mail. However, please remember that the mailing address is different for every county. 

Requirements to Renew By Mail

  • The requirements are the same as the ones for online renewal. Please read above for details. 

STEPS

  1. Locate the mailing address of YOUR LOCAL COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR OFFICE.
  2. The above link will contain your local county's tax collector web page. Inside of your local county website, look for a section called Motor Vehicle Registration. 
  3. Prepare payment. Your fee will be listed on your renewal reminder (that was sent via mail).
    • Note: If you did not receive a renewal reminder, you must calculate your due fee. Remember that fees vary. The following page will guide you in determining the renewal Fee.
  4. Mail your payment to the address found in step 1 (your local county tax office). For additional questions, please call your local county tax office. 
  5. Your new plate sticker and registration will be mailed to your address in no more than twenty five (25) days. 


Note: If it's been over 25 days, and you still have not received it, please get in touch with your local tax office.

Florida Registration Renewal for Military Drivers

If you are currently serving in the U.S. military and your current auto registration is overdue, you will not have to pay the delinquent fee (as long as you are stationed more than 35 miles away).

Requirements 

  • If registration has expired, you must show your military orders OR show a letter signed by your commanding officer. 

STEPS

  1. If past due, you only have two (2) renewal options. Either renewal by mail OR follow the In Person renewal instructions below. 
  2. Renew online.

Renew Florida Registration In Person

Everyone in Florida is welcome to show up in person in order to renew a car's tag / registration. If needed, you can assign someone else to go in person for you. You are not required to show up personally. 

Requirements to Renew In Person

  • You (or the person you assign) must be able to prove that you currently have auto insurance. Please bring those documents.
  • You (or the person you assign) must show your existing registration OR your renewal reminder / notice.
  • If anyone on the registration has outstanding fines, driving suspension, or parking tickets, you will not be able to renew.

STEPS

  1. If you have to show additional documents or requirements, please prepare them before your visit. Examples of certain people that must show additional documents are veterans who are disabled or military drivers who are out of state. 
  2. Visit your LOCAL COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR OFFICE.
  3. Bring money to pay the registration / plate renewal Fee.
    • Note: The fee is not the same for everyone. Fees are determined based upon certain factors. These include the type and weight of your vehicle, plus state and tax collector fees. The FL DMV has set up an example to guide you on how registration fees are calculated.
  4. Upon acceptance, you will be given your new registration and sticker.  

Renew Florida Tag

By law, you must renew a Florida tag every ten (10) years. This fee is additional to your registration renewal. it will be added to your registration fee.