Tips for Reducing Your Wait Time
Mondays and Fridays have traditionally been the office's busiest days, while the wait times on Wednesdays are generally the shortest.
The last few working days of the month are always extremely busy.
The longest lines occur during the hours of 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Renew by mail. Please refer to your renewal notice on how to renew by mail or click here to renew online.
Motor Vehicles
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 conducted according to state statutes.
Tag Registration & Renewal
Florida uses a metal license plate with the alpha numeric system, meaning there are combinations of letters and numbers used for identification. The month and year decal is affixed in the upper right hand corner of the license plate (unless otherwise specified). 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 10th 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 only exceptions to this schedule are: company owned vehicles and short term leased vehicles are renewed in June; long term leased vehicle renewals are staggered throughout the calendar year; truck-tractors, semi-trailers, and trucks weighing over 5000 pounds are renewed in December. Nine passenger and over vehicles used for hire are also renewed in December. All vehicles are licensed according to weight. Travel trailers and mobile homes are licensed according to length.
For answers to more specific questions about About Tags & Registration, Click HERE.
Proof of Insurance Required
Proof of Florida insurance (binder, policy or card) from a certified Florida agent or Florida 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 and Protection Damage Liability (PDL) insurance in the amount of $10,000. Motorcycles, mobile homes and trailers are exempt from the insurance requirement.
Florida residents, on military assignment outside of Florida, are not required to submit proof of Florida insurance coverage. This exemption does not apply to vehicles registered solely in the name of a non-military spouse or dependent(s) of the military member. The military member must provide the following:
- An out-of-state address for the Florida registration certificate.
- One of the following must be submitted as proof of current military assignment out of state:
- Copy of military orders
- An affidavit from the military member's commanding officer that confirms the military orders and the date of assignment.
- An affidavit stating the motor vehicle is maintained at the state of posting and will not be operated in the state of Florida except in a transient visitor status. (See proof of insurance)
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 vehicle owner is required to provide the license plate number. Click here for a change of address form in PDF format. It is the responsibility of each registered owner to ensure that the vehicle's registration is kept current. Renewal notices are mailed as a courtesy service only to help facilitate the renewal process. The fee for an address correction is $5.50.
Reasons Your Renewal Could Be Refused
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can withhold the registration of a motor vehicle for the following reasons:
- Failure to comply with directives or pay fines ordered by traffic court. This type of suspension is known as a driver license D6 suspension. For further information contact the local driver license office.
- Registration is paid by a dishonored check. This stop is placed on the registration owner regardless of who wrote the check. Contact the local Tax Collector's office for further information.
- Driver license suspension because of delinquent child support. Contact Child Support Service Center for further information.
- Wrecker Operator Lien is claimed against an individual for recovery, towing and storage of an abandoned vehicle, vessel, or mobile home. Contact the wrecker company (if known) or the local license plate agency for further information.
- Failure to pay parking tickets or toll violations. Contact the local Tax Collector's office for further information.
- Failure to turn car over to repossessor.
Registration stops should be indicated on registration renewal notices.
Vehicle Titling Information
Florida Vehicle Titles To transfer a Florida title, the seller must complete the transfer information on the current title, including the purchaser's name, the selling price, and the odometer reading at the time of sale. (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 fee is levied at the time of transfer, along with title and registration fees.
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. If you are applying by mail, please refer to Florida Title Application Instructions Package. Title fees, lien fees and all registration fees must be paid, if applicable.
New Vehicles All new vehicles are required to have a C.O. (Certificate of Origin) or MSO (Manufacturer Statement of Origin) which must be signed and notarized (if applicable) by a licensed dealer for transfer to the buyer. An application for Florida title must be properly completed with owner's complete name and Florida address, date of birth, sex, drivers license number, complete description of vehicle and any lien to be recorded. If you are applying by mail, please refer toFlorida Title Application Instruction Package. Sales tax will be collectecd if applicable. All title fees. lien fees and registration fees must be paid, if applicable.Vehicle Identification Numbers
All motor vehicles being registered in Florida for the first time must have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verified. The Tax Collector's Office performs this service as a courtesy at the time of registration (weather permitting). The VIN can also be verified by any law enforcement officer, a Florida notary public or a Florida motor vehicle dealer.
EXCEPTION: All used vehicles coming into Florida from a foreign country must have the vehicle identification number verified by a DMV Compliance Examiner/Inspector. This does not include vehicles from American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Guam or Puerto Rico.
Initial Registration Fee
The first time a license plate is purchased for a motor vehicle in Florida, a $225.00 Initial Registration Fee may be imposed. This fee applies to private automobiles, motor homes and trucks less than 5,000 pounds.
Military Rates
Members of the Armed Forces stationed in Florida, but who maintain their legal residence outside the state of Florida, are classified as non-resident military and are eligible for special registration rates.
The following items are required to apply for a non-resident military license plate:
Out-of-State Title; or:
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.
(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 Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office for more information on that subject.)
A duplicate Florida title may be obtained by completing a DMV form (Form 82101). It must be signed and submitted with a $78.25 fee to your local Tax Collector's office. The application must be signed by the lien holder if an outstanding lien exists. Duplicate Florida Title Information
If you have sold or otherwise disposed of your vehicle, and the title has been issued to the new owner, we recommend you retain the license plate and registration. If you register another vehicle you would be able to transfer the license plate. This transfer may exempt you from the $225 Initial Registration Fee. Surrendering Your License Plate
If you have cancelled your auto insurance but still have possession of the vehicle, the registered owner must bring the license plate and registration into a local Tax Collector's office. The specialist will take possession of your license plate and provide you with the documentation that you will need to retain. If you choose to reinstate your insurance and register the same vehicle, you would need to submit this documentation to avoid the $225 Initial Registration Fee.
Should a check for payment of taxes be returned to our office, by your bank, as not paid for any reason, Florida Statute 68.065 authorizes the Tax Collector to assess a service charge. Returned Check Service Fees
Check amount less than $50.00 = $25.00 Check amount between $50.00 and $299.99 = $30.00 Check amount between $300.00 and $799.99 = $40.00 Check amount $800.00 or greater = 5% of check
