HOLIDAY CLOSURE
All of our offices will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023 in observance of  Memorial Day.

Website Banner with Palm Beach County Seal and Photo of Anne Gannon

Vehicle registration is proof of payment of registration tax and fees on a motor vehicle. It consists of a metal license plate, a decal and a registration certificate. You must apply for a title and registration in your name when you purchase a motor vehicle, move to the state or change the ownership status of a motor vehicle. Owners must register vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency, accepting employment, registering to vote, enrolling children in public school or changing their address.

Current proof of Florida insurance, with a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL), is required to register your vehicle. Motorcycles, mobile homes and trailers are exempt from the insurance registration requirement.

Late fees apply if the registration payment is received after the 10th day of the next month.

Registration fees are determined by several factors, type of plate purchased, vehicle weight, length of registration period, etc.

Do I Need to Come In?

Pay Online
Did you know you can renew your registration right here on our website? You can renew online for one or two years or obtain a replacement if:

  • You can provide personal identifying information of the vehicle’s owner to log in and complete the transaction.
  • Your valid Florida insurance is on file and matches your vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • You do not have a stop, hold or other violation on your driver license.

If you renew online, you will receive your registration in the mail within 7-10 business days. When paying by credit / debit card keep in mind that a 2.4% convenience fee applies (min. $2.00). Convenience fees are collected by the credit / debit card vendor and are not retained by our office.

Renew by Kiosk
Following easy-to-use touch screen prompts, clients can renew their registration in as little as two minutes. For more information visit our kiosk page.

Renew by mail
When you renew your registration by mail, you will receive your registration within 10-15 business days.

Renew using our secure drop box
Want to cut down a little on the payment processing time? Then drop your payment off using our secure drop box which is located inside each of our service centers, no reservation necessary. Just keep in mind that you need to drop your payment off during regular business hours. We do not provide 24/7 access to our drop boxes.

Pay in Person
You must make a reservation for in-person service if:

  • Florida insurance data is not on file or does not match your VIN.
  • You have a stop, hold or other violation on your driver license.
  • Your registration is more than eight months past the expiration date.
  • Heavy trucks (gross vehicle weight of 26,001 lbs. or more) cannot be renewed online.

Bring Your Own Translator.  If English is not your first language, you have the option of bringing a person with you to your scheduled reservation to assist you with translating.  It is important to remember that the person you bring with you to translate for you, may not assist you while you take any required tests, such as the driver’s license written test. State regulations require that these tests only be completed by the applicant.

Registration Dates and Deadlines

Registrations expire at midnight of the first registered owner’s birthday, unless the owner is a business or the vehicle is a heavy truck.

Heavy Truck Registration

Beginning September 1, 2020, an individual who owns a heavy truck weighing between 5,001 and 7,999 lbs., may renew the registration during their birth month. Most heavy truck registrations expire May 31or December 31 depending on the registration use.

Helpful Tip

Renew up to three months before the expiration date.

Military Residents Stationed Out-of-State

To renew your registration by mail, please submit the following items:

  • Renewal notice or a copy of the registration
  • Out-of-state address
  • Proof of current out-of-state military assignment (i.e., copy of military orders), copy of military member’s military ID (not stating retired) or an affidavit from confirming assignment to another state including date of assignment
  • Affidavit stating the vehicle is maintained in the state where you are currently assigned and is not driven in Florida, except in a transient visitor status
  • Proof of out-of-state insurance coverage, which includes the name of the insured(s), effective date, company name, insurance company phone number, policy number and vehicle(s) covered

License Plates

License plates belong to you, not the vehicle. Plates may be transferred to a replacement vehicle by making a reservation to visit one of our service centers, or by mail. Florida requires license plates be replaced every 10 years. Remember to surrender your valid license plate if it is no longer in use to avoid possible driver license suspension. To surrender your plate, download and complete the Surrender License Plate Affidavit.

Specialty License Plates

Florida offers specialty license plates to raise funds for a variety of causes. Specialty plates can be purchased at any time and cost an annual fee above the standard Florida license plate charge. Fees vary by type of license plate.

For more information about specialty license plates visit FLHSMV Specialty Plates.

Replace a Stolen or Lost License Plate or Decal

Complete and submit form HSMV 83146 Application for Replacement License Plate, Validation Decal or Parking Permit with a copy of the registered owner’s valid driver license. If the decal or license plate was stolen, provide the law enforcement police report or agency card with the case number and a replacement will be issued at no fee. The fee for a replacement decal is $34.10 (in person) or $35.00 (by mail). The fee for a replacement license plate is $36.90 (in person) or $42.35 (by mail).

Helpful Tip

License plates may be surrendered in person, in a service center drop box or by mail.

Selling Your Vehicle

Submit form HSMV 82050 Notice of Sale within 30 days of selling your vehicle. We will update the title record to “SOLD.” The ownership status is not changed until the new owner is issued a new Florida Certificate of Title.

The license plate must be surrendered if it is not transferred to a new vehicle. Transfers are completed in person or by mail. The registered owner is responsible for any unauthorized use of the license plate. To surrender your plate, download and complete the Surrender License Plate Affidavit.

High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) Decal

A High Occupancy Vehicle Decal must be displayed on vehicle and gives you access to HOV lanes anytime, regardless of the number of passengers in your vehicle. Inherently Low Emission Vehicles (ILEV) or Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) qualify for HOV decals. To purchase an HOV decal, submit form HSMV 83027 and a copy of your current vehicle registration. The fee for a one-year decal is $5.90 by mail. The fee for a two-year decal is $10.90 by mail. HOV decal renewals coincide with your vehicle registration renewals. We accept check or money order made payable to Tax Collector, PBC. HOV decals DO NOT automatically provide access to Express Toll Lanes. You must also register with South Florida Commuter Services after acquiring your HOV decal and prior to using the Express Lanes. For more information, visit www.1800234ride.com.

Disabled Person Parking Permit

Individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities and transporting organizations may apply for a disabled person parking permit. A completed form HSMV 83039 Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit is required. The applicant and certifying authority or physician must have signed the application within the last 12 months. The application must include original signatures and the applicant’s valid Florida drive license/ID card or photocopy. Certifying authorities and physicians are listed on the back of the application. A representative can mail or deliver applications. Representatives must have the applicant’s license/ID card or photocopy and the completed application with original signatures.

Types of Permits

A permanent permit (blue) is valid for four years. There is no charge to apply or renew a permanent permit. Renewals require a new HSMV 83039 Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit signed by the applicant and certifying physician or authority.

A person with a temporary disability may apply for a temporary disabled person parking permit (red). The fee is $15.00. The permit will only be issued for the period indicated by the certifying authority or physician and may not exceed six months from the date of issuance. If the need for the temporary disabled person parking permit exceeds six months, an additional temporary permit may be issued. If the additional permit is applied for within 12 months from the issuance of the first permit, no additional fee is required.

Replacements

A replacement (lost or stolen) permanent permit requires a form HSMV 81346 Application for Replacement and a new HSMV 83039 Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit if it has been more than 12 months since the original document was signed.

Disabled Person Wheelchair License Plate

A person who qualifies for a permanent disabled person parking permit can obtain a wheelchair emblem license plate in lieu of receiving a parking permit. Wheelchair license plates must be renewed annually on the applicant’s birthdate. The long-term impairment must be proved every four years by a certifying medical authority.

Disabled Veteran License Plate

Veterans who are confirmed 100% disabled from a service-connected disability by a certifying medical authority are eligible for a disabled veteran license plate at no charge. Disabled veterans must complete form HSMV 83039 Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit. The veteran must provide proof of service-connected 100% disability rating or that the vehicle was acquired through financial assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Non-attached Mobile Homes

Non-attached mobile homes must be titled and registered. The length of the unit determines the fee. The renewal period for mobile homes is October through December. Mobile home decals expire December 31. Registrations renewed after January 10 are charged a penalty. Mobile home registration decals must be placed in the lower left corner of the window closest to the street/access road.

Tangible personal property tax applies to mobile homes in the following situations:

  • With attached structures to the mobile home (such as porches, carports, etc.)
  • A registration decal is not displayed

Mobile homes taxed as real property are not subject to tangible personal property tax.

Permanently Affixed Mobile Homes

If you own the land and permanently affix your mobile home, you may declare the mobile home as real property.

Obtain and complete form DR-402 Mobile Home Declaration from the Property Appraiser’s Office.

Once approved, the mobile home is assessed as real property. The property owner must then deliver the approved form DR-402 to the tax collector office where the mobile home is physically located. Then a real property decal is issued.

Florida Titles

A certificate of Title is proof of ownership in Florida. When a motor vehicle, mobile home or boat is sold, a new Certificate of Title must be issued in the purchaser(s) name. All vehicles are required to be titled, except mopeds, motorized bicycles and trailers weighing less than 2,000 lbs. Titles may be obtained by making a reservation to visit one of our service centers, or by mail.

Expedited Title Service

We offer expedited (same day) title service for an additional $10.00 fee. If all documentation is provided at your reservation, a Certificate of Title is produced in the office. Valid photo identification is required. If a representative of the owner is present, an original form HSMV 82053 Power of Attorney from the owner is required.

Electronic Titles

An e-title is a title record held in an electronic database. When an e-titled vehicle is purchased using a loan, it is called an Electronic Lien Title (ELT). For both ELTs and e-titles, a paper title has not been printed. A paper copy can be obtained by mail, online or at one of our service centers by making a reservation.

Sales Tax on Vehicles

Sales tax is required when a vehicle is purchased. Dealers collect this tax at the time of purchase, otherwise our office (as an agent for the Florida Department of Revenue) collects the tax when the vehicle is titled. Refer to the Department of Revenue website for more information.

Out-of-State Titles

To register a vehicle that was previously titled out-of-state, complete and sign form HSMV 82040 Application for Certificate of Title. Additionally, you will need the following documents:

  • Proof of valid Florida insurance
  • Signatures of seller(s) and/or applicant(s)
  • Valid passport or U.S. driver license/ID card
  • Completed and signed bill of sale/dealer invoice
  • Proof of sales tax paid if owned less than 6 months or change of ownership
  • Vehicle for VIN verification (weather permitting) or Section 8 completed on form HSMV 82040
  • Copy of the current registration certificate
  • Out-of-state title certificate

Lienholder Letter

Please click the link for your preferred location to download the lienholder letter

Belle Glade
2976 State Road 15
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Delray Beach
501 S. Congress Ave.
Delray Beach, FL 33445
Greenacres
4215 S. Military Trail
Greenacres, FL 33463
Palm Beach Gardens
3188 PGA Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Westlake
16440 Town Center Parkway South
Westlake, FL 33470
West Palm Beach
301 N. Olive Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

 

Motor Vehicle Title Checklist

Out-of-State TitleFlorida Title TransferBrand New Title
Proof of valid Florida insurance
Signatures of seller(s) and/or applicant(s)
Completed and signed form HSMV 82040 Application for Title
Valid passport or U.S. driver license/ID card
Completed and signed bill of sale/dealer invoice
Proof of sales tax paid if owned less than 6 months or change of ownership
Verification of VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)*
Out-of-state title certificate*
Original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
Original odometer disclosure statement
Florida Certificate of Title completed and signed
Copy of the current Florida registration certificate

*Form HSMV 82040 or HSMV 82042. The VIN may also be verified on form HSMV 82040 by a law enforcement officer in any state, a Florida notary public, a licensed Florida motor vehicle dealer or by a signed, sworn affidavit from the seller and purchaser.