The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires you to surrender your license plate by mail or in person at a Tax Collector’s Office in the following circumstances:
- If you sell the vehicle without transferring the license plate to your new vehicle.
- If you move to a new state and register the vehicle in that state.
- If you cancel the insurance on your vehicle.
When insurance is canceled and motor vehicle records indicate the vehicle is still registered in your name with a valid license plate, the Bureau of Financial Responsibility, Division of Driver Licenses requires that the license plate be canceled to avoid a driver license suspension.
Failure to surrender your license plate when you sell your vehicle and are not transferring the plate to a replacement vehicle within 30 days will also result in a driver license suspension. When you surrender your plate, a new vehicle registration will be printed indicating the license plate is canceled. Retain the “Surrendered Registration” receipt. This may be used to exempt the $225 initial registration fee when a replacement vehicle is registered.
To surrender your Florida license plate by mail, send the license plate and a written request that the license plate be canceled and recycled. Please mail the license plate and request to:
Stan Nichols, Santa Rosa County Tax Collector
6495 Caroline Street, Suite E
Milton, FL 32570