Florida plate theft is common, especially in South Florida. A stolen plate can be used immediately on another vehicle. Act fast, file the report, and get a new number. Here is the full process.
My Florida Plate Was Stolen, What Do I Do Right Now?
A stolen Florida plate can be affixed to another vehicle within minutes and used to commit traffic violations, evade tolls on Florida’s SunPass network, or flee from a crime scene—with your plate number attached. Every hour you wait is an hour that activity can be traced back to your registration. Move quickly through these steps.
File a police report
Call your local police or Florida Highway Patrol. Get the report number—you will need it for the replacement application.
Notify your insurance company
Report the theft so your insurer has a record if violations surface later linked to your plate.
Apply for a replacement with a new plate number
Online at services.flhsmv.gov, by mail, or at your county tax collector’s office. Do not reuse the stolen number.
Keep the police report accessible
Keep a copy in your vehicle until the new plates arrive, in case you are stopped by law enforcement.
Watch for violations linked to your old number
Monitor your mail for toll notices, citations, or camera violation letters. Dispute any charges that arrived after the theft date with your police report number.
How to Get a Florida Replacement Plate
Florida offers three ways to get a replacement plate. Online is the fastest for most situations. In-person is required if you need to resolve any holds on your account at the same time.
Online
Visit services.flhsmv.gov (MyDMV Portal). Select “Replace a Plate or Decal.” Enter your vehicle registration details and pay. New plate mailed in 7–10 business days.
By Mail
Complete HSMV Form 83146 and mail it with payment to your county tax collector’s office. Include a copy of your police report for stolen plates.
In Person
Visit your county tax collector’s office. Bring your ID, police report number (if stolen), and payment. Standard plates are issued same day in most cases.
Document Checklist
Obligatory
- Valid Florida driver’s license or state ID
- Vehicle registration number or plate number
- Payment for the replacement fee
Situation-specific
- Police report number (stolen plates)
- Damaged plate to surrender (damaged replacements)
- Completed HSMV Form 83146 (mail-in only)
Florida Plate Replacement Fees
| ITEM | FEE |
|---|---|
| Standard plate replacement | $28.00 |
| Decal sticker only | $3.00 |
| Personalized plate replacement | Higher, varies by plate type |
| Specialty plate replacement | Varies by specialty program |
Florida requires two plates on standard passenger vehicles. If both were stolen, you pay the replacement fee for each plate separately.
Damaged or Lost Plates
Florida Statute § 320.0611 requires all vehicles to display legible plates at all times. A plate that is bent, faded, cracked, or otherwise unreadable must be replaced before the vehicle is driven. You do not need to file a police report for damaged or lost plates—that step is only required for theft.
Damaged Plate
Bring the damaged plate to your county tax collector’s office. You will surrender it and receive a replacement on the same day for standard plates. You may keep your existing plate number.
Lost Plate
Apply online at services.flhsmv.gov, by mail with Form 83146, or in person. No police report required. You may keep your existing plate number.
Should You Keep or Change Your Plate Number?
| SITUATION | RECOMMENDATION | WHY |
|---|---|---|
| Stolen | Request a new number | The stolen plate is in circulation; new violations will trace to your old number |
| Damaged | Keep existing number | No risk of misuse; same number is fine |
| Lost | Keep existing number | Usually fine unless circumstances suggest it may have been taken |
| Personalized plate | Keep, always retained | Your custom combination is reserved for you; it reissues automatically |
Florida Requires Two Plates
Unlike Georgia, Florida requires two license plates on all standard passenger vehicles—one on the front bumper and one on the rear. If only one plate was stolen or damaged, you only replace that one plate. If both were taken, you pay two separate replacement fees.
Motorcycles in Florida are required to display only a rear plate. The two-plate rule applies to standard passenger vehicles, trucks, and SUVs.