How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Florida

1. Get Started With Car Registration Application Assistance Online

Vehicle registrations need to be renewed regularly. Many states require vehicle owners to renew their registrations every year, although some states offer the option to purchase registrations that last for two years or longer. Most states allow you to quickly renew your car registration online, but you should be aware of the information you will need to provide, the necessary fees and the acceptable methods of payment to ensure a smooth transaction. Our online guide can help you prepare all the required documents and fees so that you can renew your vehicle registration as smoothly and quickly as possible. In it, you will also discover all the steps needed to replace a lost registration and to update your name or address with the DMV.

2. By Mail

Some vehicle owners may prefer to renew their auto registrations through the mail. Certain states will allow their residents to apply by mail, but vehicle owners may need to meet certain eligibility requirements to submit their request. Additionally, the ways in which you may pay your renewal fee are limited to check or money order, and you may experience processing delays due to the time it takes the postal service to deliver your application. Furthermore, you may risk losing your application or registration tags in the mail, adding to the wait time.

3. In Person at a DMV Office

Renewing your vehicle registration in person at a DMV office is an option if you cannot or prefer not to apply by mail or online. Typically, the DMV will issue your new registration credentials after receiving payment. However, certain states may require you to wait to receive your renewed registration documents in the mail. While visiting a DMV office in person may provide you with more personalized attention, it often involves long waits. Additionally, the office hours of many DMV locations can interfere with your work schedule.

Obtaining a car registration renewal in Florida is critical for all vehicle owners, who needs to ensure that their cars are properly registered at all times. In general, a vehicle registration helps to ensure that you have maintained the right auto insurance coverage and paid for any taxes due for the vehicle that you own.

All FL DMV car registration renewal requests are received and processed by the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Overall, this department offers different methods for vehicle owners to complete a DMV registration renewal online, in person or by mail. This article will inform applicants about the renewal process for vehicle registrations, such as what the requirements and fees are for each of the available methods.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in Florida

You must renew a car registration online, in person or through the mail in order to ensure that your Florida registration will remain valid. As a general rule, you cannot legally operate a vehicle that is not properly registered. Depending on the model year of your car, you may need to get a renewal for this document every one or two years. Generally, the expiration date of these credentials is set on the birth month of the car owner.

It is important to be mindful of your DMV registration renewal status in Florida, making sure that you still hold a valid FL drivers license and are in good standing with the FLHSMV. When requesting a renewal, you must submit all of your assigned vehicle documents, maintain the proper auto insurance coverage and pay for any due taxes.

What do you need to renew your car registration in Florida?

The different DMV registration renewal fees in Florida are only a small part of the requirements for a renewal application with the FLHSMV. For instance, you will need to provide many pieces of information that can help you prove your eligibility for continued registration. When learning how to renew an auto registration in FL, make sure to submit the following important documents:

  • Your current car registration, vehicle identification number (VIN), certificate of title and license plate number.
  • Documents that show your minimum liability insurance coverage, paid property taxes and the lack of liens or holds on your vehicle.
  • Your personal contact information, including your Social Security Number (SSN).

Florida Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

A Florida vehicle registration renewal notice will be sent from your county’s FLHSMV office. Generally, these documents are basic reminders that include information on your upcoming registration expiration, including its date, fees due, renewal methods and vehicle information. These are useful documents to have, as they can help to prevent FL motorists from forgetting about their registrations and illegally operating cars with an expired vehicle registration.

Florida Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

Having a lost registration renewal notice in Florida can be a common concern due to this document’s usefulness. However, because registrations are regulated by different counties in FL, be mindful that you may not receive this type of reminder at all. Thus, you may have to check with your local FLHSMV office to see whether you need to sign up for these notices, as well as if your county sends them at all.

If you have a lost car registration renewal form reminder or did not receive one in the first place, it is your responsibility to contact the FLHSMV each year and learn how much you will be expected to pay for your renewal procedure. Even if you are not reminded of this responsibility, you will still be required to file this request and pay for any outstanding fees.

Florida Car Registration Renewal Options

Completing your motor vehicle registration renewal in Florida can be a simple process, as there are various methods for you to choose from. Namely, the FLHSMV offers these procedures online, in person and by mail.

Generally, you may choose whichever method works best for you, keeping in mind that different counties have different regulations, and that certain renewal methods may not be offered in your particular area.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

Requesting a vehicle registration renewal online in Florida is one of the most popular and convenient methods, as it allows you to complete this procedure from home. Once you visit the official FLHSMV online portal, you will be asked to input your personal details and vehicle information. Then, you will be asked to pay for the required fees with a credit card. Once your request is properly completed, you will receive a renewed registration credential.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

You can renew a car registration in Florida through the mail by providing the same information and documents outlined in previous sections. To do so, you must send your complete application package to the mailing address of your nearest FLHSMV office, which will be listed on your renewal notice.

It is important to note that your renewal must take place within a limited timeframe before it expires, so you should only use mail application if you are sure that you are able to have it delivered and processed with the FLHSMV in time. If you are late to request a DMV car registration renewal, you may be asked to pay certain late fees.

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

Certain residents wonder where to renew a car registration in Florida. Overall, car owners always have the option to file this request in person at a local FLHSMV office. This method is similar to the renewal procedures previously mentioned. However, it can allow you to ask your questions in person and submit physical copies of documents to a customer service representative.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in Florida

Having an expired vehicle registration as a military service member in Florida can be confusing. Generally, if you are stationed in FL, you can choose whether to keep your home state’s registration or get a new one in Florida. If you opt to hold onto your current registration, you may renew it with your state’s DMV and receive the renewed credentials in the mail.

On the other hand, you may need to request an auto renewal process if you are a Florida resident who is out of state during the time that your registration expires. If this occurs, you may still renew with the FLHSMV via one of the many remote renewal processes listed in previous sections. However, if you will reside outside of Florida permanently, you will need to get a new registration in your new state of residence.

Florida Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

The car registration renewal cost in Florida is comprised of various smaller fees. Some of the different fees related to renewal procedures include:

  • Vehicle type fees. These are based on the type of vehicle you are registering. For example, automobiles that weigh less than 2,500 pounds cost roughly $27.60, while other weight classes can cost $8, $18 or more. Special vehicles also vary in price, such as the $10 motorcycle renewal fee.
  • Specialty license plate fees. If you need to renew an auto registration and you would like a license plate that benefits some organization or cause, such as the Manatee or Challenger plates, these generally range from an additional $10 to $25 per year.
  • Late/delinquent fees. These are added onto your overall cost if you choose to renew after your registration has already expired. They can range from $5 to $250, depending on how much your license tax is.

Florida Vehicle Registration Renewal Forms

Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.

Last updated on Monday, April 4 2022.

Sources

  1. Renew or Replace Your Registration from FLHSMV.gov