Vehicle registration plates of Florida explained

Slogan Label:Slogan
Slogan:County name
Sunshine State
In God We Trust
Size:12x
Material:Aluminum
Serial Format:ABC D12
A12 3BC
12A BCD
123 4AB
AB1 2CD
Issuer:Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Start Date:
(pre-state plates from 1905 to December 31, 1917)

The U.S. state of Florida first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1918, when the state began to issue plates, becoming the last of the contiguous 48 states to do so.[1] [2]

Plates are currently issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1922.

Passenger baseplates

1918 to 1974

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6inches in height by 12inches in width, with standardized mounting holes.[3] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Florida license plate that complied with these standards.

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial format(s)Serials issuedNotes
1918White serial on black flat metal plate; vertical "1918" and "FLA" at left and right respectivelynone12345-ACoded by horsepower class (A)Horsepower classes were B (25 hp and under), C (26-40 hp) and D (41-60 hp).
1919Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "FLA 1919" at rightnone12345-ACoded by horsepower class (A)Horsepower classes were B (22 hp and under), C (23-27 hp), D (28-35 hp) and E (36 hp and over). This continued through 1921.[4]
1920Embossed red serial on gray plate with border line; "FLA 20" at leftnoneA-12345Coded by horsepower class (A)
1921Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; "FLA 21" at rightnone12345-ACoded by horsepower class (A)
1922Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; vertical "FLA" and "22" at right; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom leftnoneC-12-345C-1 to approximately C-94-000
1923Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; state outline at right with "FLA 23" below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom leftnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 123-000-C
1924Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; state outline at right with "FLA 24" below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom leftnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 156-000-C
1925Embossed orange serial on green plate with border line; "FLA" within state outline at right with "25" below; vehicle weight on aluminum tab at bottom leftnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 250-000-C
1926Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "FLA" within state outline at right with "26" belownone123-456-C1-C to approximately 491-000-C
1927Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA-27" centered at bottomnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 409-000-CFirst use of the full state name.
1928Embossed yellow serial on maroon plate with border line; "1928 FLORIDA" at bottomnone123-456-C1-C to approximately 391-000-C
1929Embossed yellow serial on dark blue plate with border line; "19-FLORIDA-29" at bottomnoneC-123-456C-1 to approximately C-321-000
1930Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "FLORIDA–1930" at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 324-000
1931Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "1931–FLORIDA" at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 313-000
1932Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA–1932" at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 288-000First use of weight classes: all-numeric serials were used for vehicles weighing 3,000 lb and under, and serials with D prefixes for vehicles 3,001 lb and over.
D12-345D1 to approximately D75-000
1933Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "1933–FLORIDA" at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 235-000Weight classes same as 1932, but with D used as a suffix instead of a prefix.
12-345D1D to approximately 58-000D
1934Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "FLA." centered at top; weight class letter and "34" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectivelynoneT12-345
123-456
D12-345
W 1-234
Coded by weight classWeight classes were as follows: T (2,050 lb and under), no letter (2,051 to 3,050 lb), D (3,051 to 4,050 lb) and W (4,051 lb and over). This continued through 1941.
1935Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "FLA." centered at top; weight class letter and "35" stamped on locking bar, displayed to left and right of state abbreviation respectivelynoneT12-345
123-456
D12-345
W12-345
Coded by weight class
1936Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "FLORIDA 1936" at topnoneT12-345
123-456
D12-345
W12-345
Coded by weight class
1937Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "1937 FLORIDA" at topnone12-345T
123-456
12-345D
1-234 W
Coded by weight class
1938Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "38" at top rightnoneT1-1-234
T10-123
1-12-345
10-1-234
D1-12-345
D10-1-234
W1-1-234
W10-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classFirst use of county codes.
1939Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "39" at bottom rightnone1T-1234
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1940Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "40" at top rightnone1T-123
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1941Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "41" at bottom rightnone1T-123
10T-123
1-12345
10-1234
1D12345
10D1234
1W-1234
10W-123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "42" at top rightnone1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classRevalidated for 1943 with dark blue tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. Weight classes were as follows: T (<= 2,000 lb / 0.90 t), no letter (2,001 to 2,500 lb / 0.90 - 1.13 t), D (2,501 to 3,500 lb / 1.13 - 1.59 t), W (3,501 to 4,500 lb / 1.59 - 2.04 t) and WW (>= 4,501 lb / 2.04 t); this continued through 1947.
1944Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "44" at top rightnone1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1945Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "45" at bottom rightnone1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1946Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "46" at top rightnone1T-123
10T-12
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW-12
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1947Embossed white serial on forest green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "47" at bottom rightnone1T-123
10T-123
1-1234
10-123
1D12345
10D1234
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1948Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "48" at top rightnone1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10/12345
1W12345
10W1234
1WW1234
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classWeight classes same as 1942–47, except D used for the 2,001 to 2,500 lb (0.90 - 1.13 t) class and no letter for the 2,501 to 3,500 lb (1.13 - 1.58 t) class. This continued through 1961.
1949Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "49" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10-123A
1W12345
10W1234
1WW1234
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classFirst use of the "Sunshine State" slogan.
1950Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "50" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-12345
1-1234A
10-1234
10-123A
1W12345
10W1234
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1951Embossed dark green serial on yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "51" at bottom right"KEEP FLORIDA GREEN" centered at top1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classPlates with eight-character serials (counting the dash, if present) were an inch longer than plates with serials of seven characters or less. This practice continued through 1955.
1952Embossed orange serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at top left and "52" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-123
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1953Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at bottom left and "53" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1954Similar to 1952 base, but with "19" at bottom left and "54" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1952 base1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1955Similar to 1953 base, but with "19" at top left and "55" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1953 base1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W12345
10W12345
1WW-123
10WW123
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1956Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "56" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1T-1234
10T-123
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classFirst 6" x 12" plate.
1957Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "57" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1T-1234
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1958Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "58" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW-1234
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1959Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "59" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-1234
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1960Embossed yellow serial on royal blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "60" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-12345
10D-1234
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1961Embossed navy blue serial on lemon yellow plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "61" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1T-12345
10T-1234
1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
1962Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "62" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classWeight classes same as 1948–61, except D used for all vehicles 2,500 lb (1.13 t) and under. This continued until the cessation of weight classes and county codes in 1977.
1963Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "63" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
January 1964 – January 1965Embossed blue serial on orange plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "64" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
February 1965 – February 1966Embossed gold serial on red plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "19" at top left and "65" at top right"400TH ANNIVERSARY" centered at top1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classCommemorated the 400th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously-inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States.
March 1966 – March 1967Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "19" at bottom left and "66" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-12345
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
April 1967 – April 1968Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "67" at top left and "68" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
May 1968 – May 1969Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "68" at bottom left and "69" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
June 1969 – June 1970Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "69" at top left and "70" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
July 1970 – June 1971Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "70" at bottom left and "71" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1D-12345
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
July 1971 – June 1972Embossed orange serial on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at bottom; "72" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at top1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
July 1972 – June 1973Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "73" at bottom right"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class
July 1973 – June 1974As 1971–72 base, but with "74" at top right"SUNSHINE STATE" as on 1971–72 base1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight class

1974 to present

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial format(s)Serials issuedNotes
July 1974 – March 1977Embossed red serial on reflective white plate with border line; "FLORIDA" centered at top; "75" at top left"SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottom1D123456
10D12345
1-123456
10-123456
1W123456
10W12345
-123456
1WW12345
10WW1234
1012345
Coded by county of issuance (1 or 10) and weight classMonthly staggered registration introduced July 1976, with each plate expiring in the same month as the registrant's birthday. Revalidated with stickers until 1980.
April 1977 – February 1979Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; "FLORIDA" centered at topnoneABC 123AAA 000 to approximately FBN 999Issued only to new registrants. Letters I, O and Q not used in serials. County-name sticker added at bottom in 1978. Revalidated with stickers until 1987.
February 1979 – February 1984Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; orange state map screened to left of center behind serial; "FLORIDA" centered at topCounty name centered at bottomBCD 123FBP 000 to YZZ 999;
AIA 000 to YQZ 999
'M' and 'Z' series in the ABC 123 serial format reserved for dealers and rental vehicles respectively. After YZZ 999 was issued in late 1982, serials with I and Q as the first and/or second letters were issued, before the 123 ABC format was introduced. Revalidated with stickers until 1992.
February 1984 – June
1986
123 ABC000 AAA to approximately 999 KTG
June 1986 – November 1991Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; green state map screened to left of center behind serial; "FLORIDA" centered at topCounty name centered at bottomABC 12D Exclusively from AAA 00A to approximately JUQ 99Z; intermittently from JUR 00A to approximately KGW 99ZEarly plates used a lighter shade of green for the state map, while some plates manufactured during 1988 featured a smaller-size state name. Letter O not used in serials (this practice continues today); 'M' series reserved for dealers and 'Y' and 'Z' series for rental vehicles. Replaced from 1992 through 1996 as part of five-year plate replacement cycle.
November 1991 – November 1994As 1979–86 baseCounty name centered at bottomABC 12D Intermittently from JUR 00A to approximately KGW 99Z; exclusively from KGX 00A to approximately RWV 99Z
November 1994 – July
1997
County name or "SUNSHINE STATE" centered at bottomExclusively from RWW 00A to approximately XBQ 99Z; intermittently from XBR 00A to approximately XDQ 99Z"Sunshine State" slogan reintroduced on all plates in Dade County.
July 1997 – February 1998Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; citrus orange graphic over green state map screened in the center; "FLORIDA" screened in orange and yellow centered at topCounty name or "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed in green centered at bottomABC 12DIntermittently from XBR 00A to approximately XDQ 99Z; exclusively from XDR 00A to XZZ 99Z"Sunshine State" plates issued in Dade County (renamed Miami-Dade County in late 1997); county-name plates in all other counties.
February 1998 – early 1999CY1 23DCY0 00X to IZ9 99Z
I12 34VI00 00V to L99 99Z
early 1999 – 2000A12 BCDA00 AAA to approximately B99 FWB
2000 – December 2003County nameB12 GBCB00 FWC to approximately I99 YXWIssued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
"SUNSHINE STATE"T00 AAA to approximately X99 FTJIssued in Miami-Dade County. First use of a separate serial block for this county.
December 2003 – August 2004Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; orange blossom graphic over green state map screened in the center; "MYFLORIDA.COM" screened in green centered at topCounty nameI12 ZBCI00 ZAA to approximately K99 AARIssued in all counties except Miami-Dade County.
"SUNSHINE STATE"X00 FTN to X99 ZZZIssued in Miami-Dade County.
August 2004 – March 2009County nameA12 3BCA00 0AA to N99 9ZZIssued in all counties except Miami-Dade County. Wider serial dies introduced 2006.
March 2009 – July
2015
123 MBC000 MAA to 999 RZZ
July 2015 – mid-2018Y12 BCDY00 AAA to Z99 ZZZ
mid-2018 –August 2021IB1 2CDIA0 1AA to IZ9 9ZZ
August 2021 – Present12B ACD01B AAA to 99B AZZ; 01C BAA to 23C JIM
June 2022 – April 2023CB1 234CA0 001 to CZ9 999
August 2004 – late
2009
"SUNSHINE STATE"P12 3BCP00 0AA to X99 9ZZIssued in Miami-Dade County. Dies changed from narrow set to wider set mid-production.
123 HBC000 HAA to 999 LZZ;
000 VAA to 999 YZZ;
000 TAA to 999 TZZ
Issued in Miami-Dade County, as well as alternate choice in all other counties. In 2008 state changes mandatory 5 year license plate replacement to 6 years.
November 2009 – May 2021;
February 2024 – present
ABC D12AAA A01 to RRT Q04 (as of 2024-07-23)
(except for F and M series; see right)
Issued in Miami-Dade County, as well as alternate choice in all other counties. 'F' series reserved for antique and 'M' series for motorcycles. State changes mandatory 6 year license plate replacement to 10 years.
May 2021 – May 2022;
June 2022 –August 2022;July 2023 – February 2024
12A BCD01A AAA to 99B ZZZ; (except for 01B AAA to 99B AZZ, occupied by county name plates)
01D AAA to 99E MZZ
May 2022–June 2022123 4AN000 1AN to 999 9AZ
August 2022 –July 2023AF1 2CDAF0 1AA to AZ9 9ZZ;BL0 1AA to BZ9 9ZZAA to AE series occupied by Apportioned.
October 1, 2008 – September 2018"IN GOD WE TRUST"123 4GB000 1GA to 999 9YZIssued in all counties as no-cost alternative issue. Progression of first letter in the 123 4AB serial format: G, H, I, J, B, P, Q, T, U, V, X, Y.
September 2018 –January 2019123 45Z000 01Z to 999 99Z
January 2019 –February 2022Z12 3BCZ00 0AA to Z99 9ZZ; Y00 0AA to Y99 9ZZ
February 2022 –presentBC1 2DEBB0 1AA to approx. BH9 9ZZ;CB0 1AA to CH0 0XT (as of 2024-04-25)Current spotted high for B series with In God We Trust: BH77SY.BJ-BK series exists but not sure if they are In God We Trust or Sunshine State.BA series occupied by Apportioned.

County coding, 1938–77

Florida used numeric county codes on its license plates between 1938 and 1977, with the order of the codes based on the populations of each of the state's 67 counties according to a 1935 census.[2] There was also code 68 on plates ordered from the state tag office in Tallahassee, and code 90 on replacement plates.

Vehicle classes, 1932–77

Between 1932 and 1977, Florida used letters on its license plates that corresponded to the class of vehicle.

Through 1937, the letters were placed before or after the numeric part of the serial, depending on the year. When county codes (above) were introduced in 1938, the letters were placed before the code (e.g. G10-123 for a commercial truck in Broward County). From 1939 onwards, the letters were placed after the code, but before the rest of the serial (e.g. 10G-123).

Throughout this period, license plates without letters were used on passenger cars. In 1932 and 1933, they were used on cars weighing 3,000 lb and under; from 1934 through 1941, on cars weighing between 2,051 and 3,050 lb; and from 1942 through 1947, on cars weighing between 2,001 and 2,500 lb. From 1948 onwards, they were used on cars weighing between 2,501 and 3,500 lb, as there were now more heavy cars.[2]

Non-passenger plates

The state issues many non-passenger types of license plates to various vehicle classes and types.

ImageTypeFirst issuedSerial format(s)Notes
Amateur RadioFCC call sign
Antique123 456
BB1 234
IB1 234
FAC D12
JB1 234
Issued to cars and trucks that are at least 30 years old and under 26,000 lb (11.7 t)JA6 384 current high
Antique MotorcycleQ123456
ApportionedA12 34BAB1 2CDAnnual plates. Issued in pairs."A" denotes the type of vehicle.

Not to confuse with AB1 2CD in regular passenger series, they never share the first two letters.

City Government123456
XB1234
"City" legend.XK0959 current high.
College1234
County Government123456
TB1234
"County" legend.
Custom Vehicle2008VBC1D
DealerMBC 123
MBC 12DMB1 23C
NB1 23C
PB1 23C
PM9 74T current highNot to confuse with A12 3BC in the regular series

Not to confuse with MBC D12 motorcycle plates

Disabled Person123456 
Y1BCD 
Z1BCD 
YB12C 
ZB12C 
JB12C 
VB1CD 
Disabled Person – Motorcycle1234 
WB1C 
XB1C 
FleetGBC 123GGA 535 is the current high
Former Military Vehicle00123ABVery obscure, it has been said that FL doesn't even want to issue them.
Honorary Consul1
123
Horseless Carriage12345
Horseless Carriage - DMV
Horseless Carriage - Permanent
IndefiniteYB1 23C
ManufacturerA12 345A11 654 current high
Member of Congress1
12
Serial is district number.
Motor Scooter - driver under 21 years old12ABC
Motorcycle12345A
1234AB
MBCD12
E, K, L, N and R used as first letter (A) in the 1234AB serial format. MBCD12 format began 2016. Current high: MWGT50 (on 2024-01-07).
Permanent TrailerC12 34B
123 4CB
QB1 2CD
Permanent plates. Not to confuse with regular plates CB1 234

QA4 6XI is the current high

RestrictedU12 34BMBC 12ANot to confuse with MBC D12 motorcycle plates
Seminole Indian1234
Sheriff12345
ZBC12
ZUZ38 current high
State police
Temporary registrationP-123456
Q-123456
R-123456
S-123456
ABC1234
DMW3606 current high
Truck over 5,000 lb (2.26 t)1986H12 34BI12 34B

M12 34B

N12 34B

P12 34B

County name or "SUNSHINE STATE" slogan at bottom. Issued in pairs with the validation sticker placed on the front plate.Only I00 00A - I99 99U are issued. I..V to I..Z series are passenger plates, not to be confused.

P99 00I current high as of 2024-03-04.

TransporterG12 34B
WreckerD12 34B
E12 34B
"WRECKER" legend.

Personalized plates

Florida offers personalized license plates for an extra fee, on the standard orange blossom design and on specialty designs (below). On the orange blossom design and specialty designs with centered graphics, combinations can consist of between one and seven characters specified by the registrant, including letters, numbers, spaces and hyphens. On specialty designs with left-aligned graphics, combinations are limited to a maximum of five characters, and on the Motorcycle Specialty plate, they are limited to a maximum of six characters.[5]

Specialty plates

Florida has offered over 120 specialty license plates to its motorists, most for an extra fee. Some of these plates are no longer issued, while others have been redesigned since they were first issued.[6]

Collegiate

ImageTypeFirst issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s)Notes
AdventHealth University
(Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences prior to 2012)
2002-10-01H12 345
Barry University1998-07-01AB12C
Bethune–Cookman University
(Bethune–Cookman College prior to 2007)
1997-02-15BB12C
BB1CD
Eckerd College2002-10-01E12 345
Edward Waters College2002-10-01B1BC
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University2002-10-01K1BC
Flagler College2002-10-01
(2018)
C1BC
Florida A&M University1987-10-01M1234
M123B
M12BC
Y12BC
Florida Atlantic University1987-10-01A123B
Florida College2002-10-01L1BC
Florida Gulf Coast University1997-11-01V1234
Florida Institute of Technology2002-10-01Q1BC
Florida International University1987-10-01I1234
I123B
I12BC
Florida Memorial University1999-07-01FBC1D
Florida Southern College2002-10-01D1BC
Florida State University1987-10-01S1234
S123B
S12BC
S1BCD
VB123
WB123
WB12C
Jacksonville University2002-10-01R1BC
Keiser University2015123NB
Lynn University2002-10-01E1BC
Nova Southeastern University2002-10-01S1BC
Palm Beach Atlantic University2002-10-01F1BC
Ringling School of Art and Design2002-10-01U1BC
Rollins College2002-10-01G1BC
Saint Leo University2002-10-01V1BC
Saint Thomas University2002-10-01H1BC
Southeastern University2002-10-01W1BC
Stetson University2002-10-01I1BC
University of Central Florida1987-10-01
(2016)
C123B
University of Florida1987-10-01
(1997, 2007,2022)
F1BCD
GBC1D
HBC1D
IBC1D
University of Miami1989-10-01H1234
H123B
H12BC
HBC1D
X12BC
University of North Florida1987-10-01N1234
N123B
N12BC
University of South Florida1987-10-01
(2018)
U1234
U123B
U12BC
University of Tampa2002-10-01
(2016)
X1BC
University of West Florida1987-10-01
(2015)
W1234
W123B
Warner University
(Warner Southern College prior to 2008)
2002-10-01J1BC

Environmental/Wildlife

ImageTypeFirst issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s)Notes
Animal Friend2004-07-01
(2016)
ABC12
Aquaculture2004-07-01AB1 234
Conserve Wildlife1998-07-01CB123
CB12C
CB1CD
Discover Florida's Horses2010-01-1012DBC
Discover Florida's Oceans2004-07-01DBC12
Endless Summer201012EBC
12JBC
Everglades River of Grass1998-07-01EB12C
Fish Florida2003-10-01JB1CD
Go Fishing1997-03-15LB12C
LB1CD
Helping Sea Turtles Survive1998-02-01RBC 123
Indian River Lagoon1995-02-15R1234
R123B
R12BC
R1BCD
Protect Florida Springs2007-10-01P12 345
Protect Florida Whales2002-07-01WBC1D
Protect Our Oceans2010-10-0112GABThe "Protect Our Oceans" plate, introduced in the spring of 2015, is a re-design of the original "Catch Me, Release Me" plate.
Protect Our Reefs2003-07-01RBC1D
Protect the Panther1990-10-15LBC 123
MBC 123
Original design: white plate with panther in center (serials LAA 001 through LEE 999). Current design: white and orange gradient plate with panther's head in center and grass at bottom (serials LEF 001 and up).
1993
Protect Wild Dolphins1998-07-01DB12C
DB1CD
DBC1D
Save Our Seas2004-07-01RBC12
SBC12
Save the Manatee1990-03-16HBC 123
IBC 123
Original design: red serial on white, blue and green plate with manatee in center (serials HAA 001 through IBX 999). Current design: black serial on yellow, green and blue plate with manatee in center (serials IBY 001 and up).
2008
Save Wild Florida12FBCFeatures a Miami blue butterfly at left.
Sportsmen's National Land Trust / Wildlife Foundation of Florida2004-07-01
(2014)
VBC12Both designs feature a white-tailed deer at left.
State Wildflower1999-07-01WBC 123
Tampa Bay Estuary1999-06-10TBC1D
Trees Are Cool2007-10-0112CBC

Special Interest

ImageTypeFirst issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s)Notes
A State of Vision2006-07-01XB123
Agricultural Education2006-07-01JB123
Agriculture1997-04-01VBC 123
Challenger/Columbia1987-01-01
(2001, 2005)
ABC 123
BBC 123
TB123
TB1CD
Choose Life1999-07-01CBC1D
End Breast Cancer2002-07-01KBC1D
Family First2004-07-01FB1 234
Family Values2004-07-01VB1 234
Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches1998-07-01RB12C
Horse Country2008-10-0112HBC
Hospice – Every Day Is a Gift2003-07-01123HB
Imagine2004-07-01123 4FB
In God We Trust2008-10-01IBC12
Invest in Children1995-05-01123 CBC
123 DBC
Keep Kids Drug Free1998-07-01KB123
KB12C
Kids Deserve Justice2004-07-01KBC12
Lauren's Kids2014123GB
Live the Dream2004-07-01DB1 234
Moffitt Cancer Center2015123PB
Parents Make a Difference2004-07-01PBC12
Salutes Firefighters2002-10-01YB1CD
Scouting Teaches Values1997-02-15123 SBC
State of the Arts1995-02-01FBC 123
Stop Child Abuse2003-07-01123SB
Stop Heart Disease2003-07-01S12 345
Support Autism Programs2009-09-0112SBC
Support Education1994-10-01
(2018)
123 ABC
Support Homeownership for All2006-07-01QB123
Support Law Enforcement2002-10-01PBC1D
United We Stand2002-07-01123 UBC
Visit Our Lights2008-10-01VB12C
Walt Disney World2021-0912DBC

Sports

ImageTypeFirst issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s)Notes
Florida Panthers1995-06-01
(2017)
P1234
P123B
Golf Capital of the World2002-07-01JB1 23C
Jacksonville Jaguars1995-06-01J123B
Miami Dolphins1995-04-01
(2015)
D123B
Miami Heat1995-06-01
(2018)
L123B
Miami Marlins
(Florida Marlins prior to 2012)
1995-07-01
(2019)
E1234
E123B
E12BC
NASCAR2007-10-01
(2015)
12NBC
Olympic Spirit1994-01-01G1234
G123B
G12BC
G1BCD
Orlando Magic1995-06-01K1234
K123B
K12BC
Play Tennis2008-10-01123BB
Police Athletic League1997-02-15PB123
PB12C
Share the Road1999-06-10
(2007)
123 EBC
EBC1D
Special Olympics1994-01-01SBC 123
Tampa Bay Buccaneers1998-04-01
(2008, 2015)
B1234
B123B
B12BC
B1BCD
Tampa Bay Lightning1995-06-01
(2019)
T1234
T123B
T12BC
Tampa Bay Rays
(Tampa Bay Devil Rays prior to 2008)
1997-03-01
(2008)
Q1234
Q123B
Q12BC
Tampa Bay Storm1995-01-01T123T12A

Military

ImageTypeFirst issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s)Notes
Operation Iraqi Freedom2010 (2014)AB1CDouble orange base pictured was replaced in 2014 by updated design.
Salutes Veterans1999SBC1D
Support Our Troops2007-10-0112TBC
National Guard??
U.S. Air Force2003-07-01ABC1D
U.S. Army2003-07-01BBC1D
U.S. Coast Guard2003-07-01123VB
U.S. Marine Corps1999-07-01UBC1D
QBC1D
U.S. Navy2003-07-01NBC1D

Special Military

ImageTypeFirst issued
(redesigned)
Serial format(s)Notes
Disabled Veteran1234ABC1
Ex-Prisoner of War 1234Orange blossom design.
Gold Star Family2008-04-011GBC
Pearl Harbor Survivor1234Orange blossom design.
Purple Heart12345
U.S. Paratrooper2003-07-01123WB

Discontinued

ImageTypeDates issuedSerial format(s)Notes
American Red CrossJuly 1, 2002 – March 2016123AB
Clearwater Christian CollegeOctober 1, 2002 – September 2015A1BCDiscontinued following the college's closure.
Collectible1996 - 1999123456Discontinued due to abuse of the reduced rate.
Corrections FoundationOctober 1, 2007 – 20091CBC
Donate OrgansJuly 1, 2006 – 2016Y123B
Girl ScoutsGB12C
Salutes VeteransOctober 10, 1989 - 1999DBC 123Replaced with the redesigned version.
Support SoccerJuly 1, 2004 – 2018123 4SB
New College of FloridaJuly 1, 2002 - 2022N123
N12B

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Old Florida License Plates . LeatherLicensePlates.com . July 29, 2017.
  2. Web site: Simpers . M. R. . September 18, 2015 . Florida License Plates . Antique Automobile Club of Cape Canaveral . July 29, 2017.
  3. Garrish . Christopher . October 2016 . Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size . Plates . . 62 . 5.
  4. Web site: Tanner . Eric N. . Florida Passenger License Plates . allaboutlicenseplates.com . November 18, 2020.
  5. Web site: Application for Personalized License Plate . Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles . February 2, 2021.
  6. Web site: Florida License Plate History . Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles . May 2019 . August 3, 2020.