Use the latest FLHSMV specialty license plate report for valid registration counts. The count can indicate program participation, but it does not guarantee that a plate is currently available, stocked locally or open to every applicant.
Where to Find the Official Specialty Plate Report
FLHSMV lists specialty license plate reports within its vehicle and vessel statistics resources. Download the report for the relevant fiscal year and note whether the figures represent valid registrations, sales, renewals or another administrative measure. Use the plate’s official name exactly as it appears in the report.
What a Valid Registration Count Means
A valid-registration count generally reflects active registrations associated with that specialty design for the report date or period. It can rise through new issuances and renewals and fall through surrender, non-renewal, replacement, redesign migration or program changes. It is not a count of unique lifetime supporters.
How to Compare Popular Specialty Plates
- Use one report period. Do not mix counts from different months or fiscal years.
- Separate restricted plates. Military, professional or eligibility-based designs have a smaller eligible population.
- Check redesigns. A design name can continue while artwork changes.
- Confirm program status. Presale, discontinued and newly authorized designs are not directly comparable.
- Label the metric. Say “valid registrations” rather than “plates sold” unless the report says sales.
Annual-Use Fees and Revenue Are Different Metrics
Many specialty plates include an annual-use fee directed to a statutory beneficiary. Multiplying a registration count by a listed fee may not reproduce official revenue because timing, exemptions, refunds, administrative deductions, plate transitions and accounting periods can differ. Use official audit or annual-use-fee reports for revenue questions.
Redesigns, Vouchers and Discontinued Plates
A specialty plate can be redesigned while existing registrations transition at renewal or replacement. New programs can begin with presale vouchers and must satisfy statutory thresholds before production. A report can therefore show zero, low or changing counts even when public interest is high.
Popularity Does Not Equal Local Availability
High statewide participation does not prove that a specific county office has the plate in inventory. Personalized availability is also separate from plate design availability. Contact the processing office and use the official personalized configuration checker when custom characters are requested.
Official reports, portals and procedures can change. Send the exact official URL, report period and section when reporting an update.