Florida has well over 100 specialty license plates, allowing drivers in the state to show off their favorite causes, universities, sports teams and theme parks — among plenty of other designs.
However, the state legislature voted earlier this year to offer even more options.
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House Bill 403 was approved by an overwhelming majority and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis back in June, and it’s set to go into effect on Oct. 1.
The law directs the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to design additional specialty license plates, which include options for plates themed around places like Universal Orlando or Margaritaville.
Each plate costs an additional $15 to $25 a year, and part of the proceeds from each plate sold goes to a particular organization associated with the plate.
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Several plates offered through the recent legislation will have respective annual plate fees directed toward nonprofits across the state.
The full list of license plates offered by the bill is as follows:
- Collegiate (themed around state and independent universities in Florida)
- Funds will go toward corresponding universities as determined by the purchaser.
- “Live the Dream”
- Up to 5% of funds will go toward the King Center as royalty fees for the use of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s image. The remaining funds will be placed into an account within the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund to support research for abandoned African-American cemeteries.
- “Protect the Eagle”
- Divine Nine
- Only Divine Nine members or their immediate family members are eligible for this license plate.
- “Universal Orlando Resort”
- Funds will be given to the Give Kids The World nonprofit, which seeks to provide “week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.”
- “Margaritaville”
- Funds will be distributed to Singing for Change, which provides grants to nonprofits to help with recovery efforts in areas impacted by disasters.
- “Clearwater Marine Aquarium”
- Funds will be given to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to help rescue marine life, perform research and provide environmental education.
- “Support General Aviation”
- Fees will be given to the Aerospace Center for Excellence in Lakeland to fund student scholarships.
- “The Villages: May All Your Dreams Come True”
- Funds will be given to The Villages Charter School to provide support for its K-12 education.
- “Cure Diabetes”
- Funds will be distributed between the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami, the University of Florida Foundation, and the JDRF International Incorporated to research cures for Type 1 diabetes.
- “Recycle Florida”
- Funds will be given to the Recycle Florida Today Foundation to increase public awareness about the importance of recycling.
- “Boating Capital of the World”
- Funds will be given to Captain Sandy Yawn, Inc., to “increase public awareness of employment opportunities in the maritime industry.”
- “Overdose Awareness”
- Funds will be given to Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma, Inc., to promote awareness about substance-use disorders.
- “USO” (United Service Organizations)
- Funds will be given to United Service Organizations to support members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
WHEN WILL THESE NEW SPECIALTY PLATES BE AVAILABLE?
In short: drivers can begin buying the new plates starting on Oct. 1, though it might take a while before drivers will actually receive one.
According to state officials, each plate’s respective organization is supposed to begin offering pre-sale vouchers when the new law goes into effect on Oct. 1.
Starting on that date, the organizations will have two years to sell 3,000 vouchers before the license plate will be manufactured.
If the pre-sale period ends without an organization hitting that target, their respective specialty plate will instead be deauthorized, meaning it won’t actually be produced.
In that case, anyone who bought a pre-sale voucher for the plate can apply for a refund.
WHAT WILL THEY ALL LOOK LIKE?
Each respective organization is responsible for submitting a proposed art design to the Division of Motorist Services (DMS) within 60 days of Oct. 1, when the new law officially takes effect.
The DMS will then be responsible for developing the specialty plate based on state requirements. While designs haven’t been released yet, they can be printed in one of two ways: center and left-hand.
The state specifications for specialty plate designs are as follows:
- GENERAL
- The size must be 12 inches wide by 6 inches high.
- The characters on the plate will be roll-coated in black, blue, green, red, or white ink.
- Contrast between the plate’s background colors and the characters must be defined enough for law enforcement officers to be able to clearly read the characters during both nighttime and daytime.
- The word “FLORIDA” must be printed at the top of the plate in “Arial” font and size 75 point. Meanwhile, the bottom words must be in “Arial Bold.”
- IS IT A CENTER DESIGN?
- The center graphic must be no larger than 2.5 inches wide by 3 inches high.
- The license plate number must have three characters to the left and three to the right of the centered graphic design.
- IS IT A LEFT-SIDE DESIGN?
- The graphic must instead be on the left side of the license plate and be no larger than 3.5 inches wide by 3 inches high.
- The license plate is limited to five characters printed on the right side of the graphic.
We might not know exactly when these new plates will be produced, but rest assured that News 6 will announce their availability once confirmed.
In the meantime, you can check out all of the other Florida laws going into effect on Oct. 1 by clicking here.
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