LookupAPlate Logo

Florida License Plate Lookup

Looking to find a vehicle owner’s details of a Florida (FL) vehicle? Maybe you want to check if the car has ever been in an accident, or perhaps you’re looking to report a bad driver. You aren’t alone. Every 30 seconds, there is a vehicle crash in Florida and the numbers are rising. 

Did you know? As per 2020 data, Florida had over 17,712,856 registered vehicles and 17,981,457 licensed drivers, indicating a clear rise in vehicle ownership and movement. However, there were 341,399 vehicle crashes involving 569,182 drivers in the same year, including 92,247 hit-and-run crashes. While the crash statistics are quite close to the national average, those numbers are still mind-boggling. 

Florida license plate lookup serves many purposes. Using the lookup tool, one can find vehicle title records, check accident or service history, and find the vehicle owner information (with a valid reason).

How to search a license plate in florida

Ways to lookup a Florida License Plate

1) In the state of Florida, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (or FLHSMV) maintain license plate records. If you have a valid reason (as per the DPPA act), you can directly request licence plate owner details from the DMV. However, make a note that this process is usually the lengthiest.

Here are the contact details of the DMV.

Phone number: (850) 617-2000 

Address: License Section, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Room A312 – MS 65, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

2) Our website LookupAPlate.com allows you to view basic vehicle information, submit feedback on vehicle owners driving, and request vehicle owner details using our third-party partner.

3) Hire a private investigator or agency to conduct vehicle owner lookup searches. Private investigators have special access to the DMV records and can run a licence plate search with a valid cause. 

How to identify a Florida license plate?

The Florida license plates measure 6” x 12” (same as standard American plates) and have a Florida state map with citrus orange in the background with myFLORIDA.com (with or without county name) written at the top and “Sunshine State” or “In God We Trust” printed at the bottom. The license plates are made of aluminium, and the tag number is embossed on the plate.

The license plates are issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (often referred to as Florida DMV). Besides standard license plates, Florida DMV offers specialty license plates that allow you to show your support for something like the Florida State University Seminoles or the Miami Dolphins. Additionally, Florida also has a personalized license plate option that allows you to pick a registration number of your liking.

The Florida license plates are six characters in length and follow the following patterns:

  • PQ1 2RS
  • PQR S12
  • P12 3QR
  • 12P QRS

Florida License Plate Laws

Florida law states that your vehicle’s license plate must be attached in a “prominent place” on the rear of your car. The only exception to this is for older vehicles manufactured before July 1, 1972. If you own a car that was made before 1972, it is your choice whether to display a license plate on the back or not.

There is no requirement for the front license plate in Florida. The law only specifies that if a front license plate is present, it must display valid registration information and be firmly attached to the vehicle.

Types of License Plates

Apart from the common standard plates, the Florida DMV has over 100 specialty plates designs on offer. From supporting charities to showing off your alma mater or affiliation with the military or any organisation, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Additionally, you also have the option of a personalized plate (also known as a vanity plate), where you can pick any combination of 7 characters plus space or a hyphen. This is subject to approval from the state and availability. To check for plate availability, use this link.

STANDARD 

  • Sunshine State 
  • County Name 
  • In God We Trust (State Motto) 

SPECIALTY - COLLEGIATE 

  • Advent Health University 
  • Ave Maria University 
  • Barry University 
  • Beacon College 
  • Bethune-Cookman University 
  • Eckerd College 
  • Edward Waters University 
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 
  • Everglades University 
  • Flagler College Florida 
  • A&M University Florida 
  • Atlantic University
  • Florida College
  • Florida Gulf Coast University 
  • Florida Institute of Technology 
  • Florida International University 
  • Florida Memorial University 
  • Florida Southern College 
  • Florida State University 
  • Hodges University 
  • Jacksonville University
  • Etc. 

SPECIALTY - ENVIRONMENTAL/WILDLIFE 

  • Animal Friend 
  • Aquaculture 
  • Conserve Florida’s Fisheries 
  • Conserve Wildlife Discover 
  • Florida’s Horses Discover 
  • Florida’s Oceans 
  • Endless Summer 
  • Explore Off Road
  • Explore Our State Parks
  • Everglades River of Grass 
  • Fish Florida 
  • Go Fishing (Largemouth Bass) 
  • Helping Sea Turtles 
  • Survive Indian River 
  • Lagoon Protect 
  • Florida Springs Protect 
  • Florida Whales Protect 
  • Our Oceans Protect 
  • Our Reefs Protect the Panther 
  • Etc. 

SPECIALTY - MILITARY 

  • American Legion 
  • Salutes Veterans 
  • Support Our Troops 
  • U.S. Air Force 
  • U.S. Army 
  • U.S. Coast Guard 
  • U.S. Marine Corps 
  • U.S. Navy Blue Angels

SPECIALTY - SPORTS

  • Florida Panthers (NHL) 
  • Golf Capital of the World 
  • Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) 
  • Miami Dolphins (NFL) 
  • Miami Heat (NBA) 
  • Miami Marlins (MLB) 
  • NASCAR Orlando Magic (NBA) 
  • Play Tennis 
  • Police Athletic League 
  • Share the Road 
  • Support Florida Special Olympics 
  • Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) 
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) 
  • Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
  • Etc. 

SPECIALTY - SPECIAL INTEREST

  • A State of Vision 
  • Agricultural Education 
  • Agriculture 
  • America the Beautiful 
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters 
  • Choose Life 
  • End Breast Cancer 
  • Fallen Law Enforcement officers 
  • Challenger - Columbia 
  • Family First 
  • Family Values 
  • Florida Sheriffs Association
  • Etc. 

SPECIAL - COMMERCIAL VEHICLE 

  • Apportioned “IRP” 
  • Fleet Heavy Truck (Dual Plates) 
  • Permanent Trailer 
  • Restricted Transporter Wrecker (Standard) 
  • Wrecker (Gross Vehicle Weight) 

SPECIAL - DISABLED PERSON 

  • Disabled Person (Wheelchair Symbol) 
  • Disabled Veteran 
  • Disabled Paralyzed 
  • Veterans of America
Author
About Jason L Arthur

Jason Arthur is a data junkie, writer, veteran amateur racecar driver and motorsport photographer. He is the co-founder of LookupaPlate, a collaborative platform to report bad drivers plying on American roads. He is also building a blockchain-based vehicle data marketplace (in stealth mode) and is an adviser to several startups.

Jason has been tracking the automotive industry since the 1990s and has a disturbingly deep obsession with the automotive world, and loves to explore whatever roads he can find. From high-speed racing on the circuit to off-road exploration, Jason has an insatiable appetite for adventure. Jason has written for numerous publications, including Autocar Magazine, Motorsport Magazine, and Road & Track.

Recent searches

Recent license plate reports in Florida

DSB43  license plate in FL
DSB43
2015 TOYOTA Corolla
vehicle logo
Blocked people in, hit their window and kick their car. Posted on November 26, 2023
LVXR14  license plate in FL
LVXR14
2019 HONDA Civic
vehicle logo
Lady is an absolute lunatic. Asked me to hit her in the walmart parking lot with my car, after sh... Posted on November 20, 2023
JCBC67  license plate in FL
JCBC67
2007 BUICK LaCrosse
vehicle logo
Almost hit a female pedestrian, tildnhe he would f her up. Then told me it was my fault and told ... Posted on November 19, 2023
QGZL71  license plate in FL
QGZL71
2023 HONDA Accord
vehicle logo
He is stealing amazon packages Posted on November 18, 2023
5219YY  license plate in FL
5219YY
2006 VOLVO XC90
vehicle logo
They were driving 10mph under the speed limit and got mad that I merged behind them (?) so they d... Posted on November 11, 2023
BP54DV  license plate in FL
BP54DV
2023 CHEVROLET Silverado
vehicle logo
Reckless driver Posted on November 7, 2023
738YQ  license plate in FL
738YQ
2014 DODGE Dart
vehicle logo
Will aggressively open his door and hit your car. Then get angry at you because he left a dent in... Posted on November 5, 2023
LLQC58  license plate in FL
LLQC58
2010 HONDA Civic
vehicle logo
The driver of the Honda Civic with license plate LLCC58 is reckless. He/she failed to use signals... Posted on November 3, 2023
98BIXD  license plate in FL
98BIXD
2020 GMC Terrain
vehicle logo
On 24 Oct 2023, driver of GMC Terrain FL Lic. Plate # 98BIXD was observed driving erratically, cu... Posted on October 25, 2023
AM55BP  license plate in FL
AM55BP
2023 KIA K5
vehicle logo
Tried to over pass 2 cars with a semi in front. We went at the same time even tho he's behind me.... Posted on October 22, 2023
For more license plates in Florida click here.
Content Disclaimer
LookupAPlate is not affiliated with any state, federal agency or the DMV. We cannot guarantee the information on the website is accurate or up-to-date as we don't create, verify or control the information from our third-party data source.
© 2023 LookupAPlate. All Rights Reserved.