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Florida License Plate Display Law — 2025 Guide

Q: What is the Florida license plate format?

Florida uses the format AAA A12 for standard passenger plates.

Rear Plate Only

Quick Answer

Florida requires only a rear license plate. No front plate needed.

The Law at a Glance

Statute

Florida Statutes §316.605

Mounting

Rear Plate Only

Plate Format

AAA A12

Penalty

Non-criminal infraction; ~$116 fine.

Plate Design

White background with orange-tree imagery, 'Sunshine State' tagline.

Recent Changes

October 2025 — Major Update: Florida Statute 320.262 ("License plate obscuring device prohibited; penalties") took effect October 1, 2025. The law prohibits covering, obscuring, or interfering with the legibility of "primary features" on a license plate — the alphanumeric plate number and the top-right renewal sticker. Frames remain legal as long as these features stay visible. Penalty: misdemeanor up to $500 fine or jail time. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and Miami-Dade County Tax Collector both publicly clarified in October-December 2025 that frames covering the bottom of the plate (slogan, county name) are permissible. Read the full Florida frame law guide →

Florida did not change mounting rules in 2024-2025 (still rear-plate-only). Florida offers 122 specialty plate designs.

State-Specific Notes

Florida is one of the rear-plate-only states, simplifying frame mounting.

Plate Design Details

First Issued

December 2003 (current base)

Plate Style

Embossed serial; reflective sheeting

Full Design

Green on reflective white with state map and citrus orange graphic in center — 'myFLORIDA.com' top, 'Sunshine State' bottom

Current Format

ABC D12 — current; many alternate formats also valid

Letter Exclusions

O is not used in any Florida plate serial.

Historical Plates Still Valid

Florida has used many serial formats including AB1 23C, 12A BCD, 123 4AB, 123 ABC, A12 3BC, A12 BCD, AB1 2CD, A12 34B — all remain valid. Standard alternate issues replace 'Sunshine State' with the county name (not available in Miami-Dade County). An 'In God We Trust' optional issue has been available since October 2008.

Notable Facts

Florida currently offers 122 specialty plate designs, second only to Texas (360) and Virginia (340). Florida residents can choose 'Sunshine State', 'In God We Trust', or their county name in the bottom slogan position.

How atroq Frames Stay Compliant in Florida

atroq frames in Florida are engineered to comply with all display requirements. The frame's recessed sticker windows keep renewal stickers visible. The frame's thickness does not obscure the alphanumeric serial, state name, or the issuing jurisdiction. atroq's universal mounting fits Florida's standard 6 × 12 inch passenger plates. Since Florida requires only a rear plate, customers typically order single frames.

Design your Florida-compliant frame

Premium custom license plate frames built for Florida's display requirements. MOQ 500. From $1.30 / frame.

Open the Customizer →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida require a front license plate?

No. Florida is a rear-plate-only jurisdiction. Only a rear plate is required on passenger vehicles, regardless of whether the vehicle has a factory front bracket.

What is the Florida license plate format?

Florida uses the format AAA A12 for standard passenger plates.

Are there any recent Florida license plate law changes?

Florida did not change mounting rules in 2024-2025. Florida offers 122 specialty plate designs.

Are decorative license plate frames legal in Florida?

Yes. Decorative frames are legal in Florida as long as they do not obscure the alphanumeric serial, the state name, or any registration sticker. atroq frames are designed to comply with Florida display requirements.

What size are Florida license plates?

Florida issues plates in the U.S. standard 6 × 12 inches (150 × 300 mm) for passenger vehicles, matching the 1956 SAE / Automobile Manufacturers Association dimensional agreement.

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