Where to Turn In Old Florida License Plates

You can turn in old Florida license plates at any Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, also called a tax collector's office in most counties. Walk in during business hours with your old plates — no appointment needed. The staff will take them and destroy them properly so they cannot be reused or misused.

If you cannot visit in person, you can mail your plates to your county tax collector's office. Include a note with your name, address, and vehicle identification number (VIN) if possible. Check your county's tax collector website for the mailing address, as each county has its own office.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida DMV offices and county tax collector locations accept old plates during regular business hours with no appointment required.
  • You can mail plates to your county tax collector if you cannot visit in person, though in-person drop-off is faster.
  • Keeping old plates after selling a vehicle or getting new ones creates a security risk because someone else could use them illegally.
  • If your plates were lost or stolen, report them to the DMV so they cannot be used on another vehicle.
  • Personalized or specialty plates follow the same return process as standard plates.

Why You Should Not Keep Old Plates at Home

Old license plates should not be stored at home or in a garage, even if you think you might use them later. Plates left lying around can be stolen and attached to another vehicle, which puts you at legal risk if that vehicle is involved in a crime or traffic violation. The registered owner — you — can be contacted by police or courts.

If you sell a vehicle, the new owner will get their own plates. You do not need to keep the old ones. The same applies when you trade in a car or get a replacement plate from the DMV. Turning them in removes any chance they will be misused.

What Happens to Plates You Turn In

When you hand plates to a DMV office or tax collector, they are logged into the system as returned and then destroyed. Florida does not reissue old plates to new owners — each vehicle gets a unique plate number. This means your old plates cannot be reassigned to someone else's vehicle.

The destruction process ensures the metal and reflective material are recycled safely. You do not need to do anything after you turn them in; the office handles the rest.

If Your Plates Were Lost or Stolen

Report lost or stolen plates to your local police department and to the DMV as soon as you realize they are missing. You can report them online through the Florida DMV website or call your county tax collector's office. Reporting them prevents someone from using them on another vehicle without your knowledge.

After you report them, order replacement plates from the DMV. You will pay a fee for the new plates, which varies by plate type. Standard plates cost less than personalized or specialty plates.

Personalized and Specialty Plates

If you have a personalized plate, a veteran plate, a university plate, or any other specialty plate, the return process is the same. Bring them to a DMV office or mail them to your county tax collector. You do not need to do anything special because of the plate type.

If you want to keep a personalized plate design for a future vehicle, you can transfer it through the DMV before you turn in the old plates. This is a separate transaction and involves a fee. Check the Florida DMV website for transfer instructions if you want to move a personalized design to a new vehicle.

Finding Your Nearest DMV Office or Tax Collector

Use the Florida DMV office locator on the official state website to find the nearest location by county. Most counties have multiple offices, and hours vary by location. Some offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, while others have extended evening or Saturday hours.

You can also search for your county tax collector online — they handle vehicle registration and plate services in most Florida counties. Call ahead if you want to confirm they accept plate returns, though all DMV and tax collector offices do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to turn in my old plates right away?

There is no strict important date, but you should turn them in as soon as possible after you no longer own the vehicle or get new plates. The longer you keep them, the greater the risk they will be stolen or misused. Most people turn them in within a few weeks of getting new plates.

Can I keep my old plates as a souvenir?

Florida law does not allow you to keep old plates once they are no longer in use on a registered vehicle. They must be turned in to the DMV or tax collector. If you want a souvenir, take a photo of the plate before you return it.

What if I moved out of Florida and still have old plates?

Contact the Florida tax collector's office in the county where you last registered the vehicle. You can mail the plates to them with a note explaining your situation. If you have moved to another state, you can also contact that state's DMV for guidance on returning Florida plates.

Do I need to remove the sticker from my old plate before turning it in?

No, turn in the plate with the sticker still attached. The DMV office will handle removal during the destruction process. Do not try to peel off the sticker yourself, as it can damage the plate.

Will I get a refund for turning in my plates?

No refund is issued for returning old plates. The return is a required part of vehicle registration and plate management. If you paid for a personalized plate and no longer want it, that fee is not refunded.