Florida lawmakers consider new specialty plates. Here’s the list so far

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Lawmakers are already in the midst of the 2025 Legislative session in Florida, meaning that hundreds of bills have been filed ahead of time for consideration.

While many of these bills deal with issues like immigration and insurance, several aim to introduce new specialty license plate designs for Florida drivers.

Last year, lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved over a dozen new specialty plates, including plates themed around Margaritaville, Universal Orlando Resort, and The Villages.

The new plates included in this year’s bills are as follows.

• U.S. Naval Academy (HB49) — Annual-use fees would go toward the Jacksonville Chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association to provide grants to charities in the state that directly support veterans and their families, such as through providing food, shelter and service animals.
  • The words “Go Navy, Beat Army!” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
• Endless Summer (HB267) — This specialty plate would be designed for motorcycles, with annual use fees going toward Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Corporation to fund its activities and programs.
  • The words “Endless Summer” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
• Miami-Dade College (HB347) — Annual-use fees would go toward the Miami-Dade College Foundation to fund student scholarships.
  • The words “Miami Dade College” must appear at the bottom or side of the plate.
• Miami Northwestern Alumni Association (HB523) — Annual-use fees would go toward the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association to fund scholarships, academic programs, and athletic programs to help the school’s students.
  • The words “Miami Northwestern Alumni Association” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
• Florida Highway Patrol (HB605) — Annual-use fees would go toward scholarships for FHP troopers and their family members.
  • The words “Supporting FHP Troopers” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
• K9s for Warriors (SB686) — Annual-use fees would go toward K9s for Warriors to fund the organization’s operations and programs.
  • The words “K9s for Warriors” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
• Save Coastal Wildlife (SB1246) — Annual-use fees would go toward the Zoo Miami Foundation to fund conservation efforts.
  • The words “Save Coastal Wildlife” must appear at the bottom of the plate.

If any of these bills is approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, then they are set to take effect on Oct. 1.

WHEN WILL ANY NEW SPECIALTY PLATES BE AVAILABLE?

In short: drivers can begin buying any new plates starting on Oct. 1, though it might take a while before drivers 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.