License Plate Surrender

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:

Chuck Perdue, Tax Collector
PO Box 2285
Panama City, FL 32402

If you license plate is unavailable to surrender due to being stolen or lost, you can complete this affidavit and follow the mailing instructions noted in the link.