On May 5, 2022, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced that University of Florida, which for decades was the highest selling specialty license plate in Florida, is changing the design of its specialty license plate. In February, 2022, UF dropped to the third highest by total sales, behind Helping Sea Turtles Survive and Endless Summer.
FLHSMV has asked the Tax Collector's that if an agency in their county needs this license plate type before the new license plate design is available, to please contact other agencies in their county, and transfer plates as necessary. If no license plates are available, please contact the Inventory Control Unit at (850) 617-2900 or
[email protected]. Orders will be filled by Central Supply or transferred from county-to-county to deplete the current supply. Approval and manufacture of personalized license plate orders will processed as usual.

UF has specialty license plates in six other states, (Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Tennessee) all utilizing the same iconic green gator, but with differing slogans. The proposed new design is awaiting approval.

The Dubai government has chosen a guerrilla marketing strategy to communicate awareness around the threat posed by world hunger to domestic audiences.
The media and marketing arm of the Emirate of Dubai has teamed up with Publicis Groupe and Saatchi & Saatchi UAE to unleash a fleet of vehicles bearing empty license plates across the city to communicate the plight of an estimated 800 million people who suffer from hunger.

Coinciding with fasting during the month of Ramadan, the unheralded move provoked consternation among the public as they attempted to solve the mystery of whether they were seeing intelligence services at work or stolen vehicles.
The stunt was raising awareness of literal empty plates, which cause millions to go hungry – an issue that has sparked the 1billion meals initiative by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to ensure no one in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia need go hungry.

​To further this cause affluent Emiratis will be invited to bid for unique number plates, with the proceeds raised paying for meals to be given to the neediest including refugees, displaced people and anyone affected by a humanitarian or natural disaster.

​According to the latest statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,  1,816,588 specialty license plates were sold in 2021 and a total of $39,472,454.00 was raised, the highest amount in the history of the program..
Prior to 2009, specialty license plate sales increased every year, despite the economic recession. On October 1, 2009, the Florida State Legislature significantly increased vehicle registration fees, particularly with respect to purchasing specialty license plates. In 2009, annual sales of Florida Specialty License Plates amounted to 1,623,486. After 2009, there was a 19.78% decline in Specialty Plate sales, reflecting approximately $7 million lost in annual revenue. 
In September, 2013, the Florida Legislature reduced some fees associated with vehicle registrations, however, did not address the significant increase in the cost to purchase a new specialty license plate that was imposed in 2009. Despite the increase in fees, specialty plates have now surpassed thospre-2009 numbers, although the number of Florida residents - and Florida registered vehicles - has also significantly increased.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Monday announced it had received more than $17,000 from the Sea Turtle Grants Program.
With the new funding, the aquarium says its veterinary team was able to purchase new medical equipment for sea turtle rehabilitation — including a new surgical exam table, a single head ceiling surgical light, a wound VAC and dressings, and a digital camera. Since receiving the equipment, CMA says more than 75 sea turtles have been treated.

The Sea Turtle Grants Program is partially funded by Florida's 'Helping Sea Turtles Survive' Specialty License Plate, according to the aquarium. The license plate is also the primary source of funding for Florida's Marine Turtle Protection Program. 
According to CMA, the grants program has awarded more than $2.7 million in grants for research, education and conservation programs to benefit sea turtles in Florida. 

If anyone wants to get a personalized license plate from the state of Florida, it's best to be creative and avoid vulgar language — and don't try "WANKRR" because it's already been rejected.
Florida drivers have a lot of leeway when it comes to personalized license plates. They can be used to describe oneself or a vehicle and can sometimes be humorous to other drivers on the road. But in large part, it's a crapshoot for those who don't know the rules.
Over the last three years, Floridians have applied for more than 1,000 personalized license plates, records obtained by the Gainesville Sun show, a vast majority of which were rejected.
​Since 2018, only about 25% of the personalized plates submitted for review have been approved by the state of Florida.

Plates like “SXY GRMA” got the green light from state officials, while “FARTMAN” was left in the virtual dust bin.
Offensive or objectionable plates are often rejected by the state. "DOO DOO" and "UID IOT" didn't make the cut, while more revealing "I GOTA P" and "MO STIKY" requests did, the state's list shows.
Plates with phrases like "GET SOME" or "MCNASTY" made it through. While "OH FARTS" and "MR POOP" got blocked.

​"Personalized license plate requests received by the department with obscene or objectionable words will be rejected," said Jessica Kelleher, the deputy communications director at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The state rejected 275 personalized plates from 2013 to 2018, The Gainesville Sun reported in 2018. But over the past three years since, the state rejected 790 requested plates, according to data from a public records request.

​The coronavirus pandemic coincided with a large drop in requests, the state's list shows. But the prison was also closed for manufacturing on numerous occasions due to Covid infections and precautions. While more than 1,000 plate requests were received in 2019, only about 250 were submitted in the following two years combined. During that same time, just four personalized plates were approved.
"GETU5UM," "FREEAZ" and "POOBLIX" were first rejected, but after a further review was overturned and approved. "SATN LVS" is the only personalized plate since 2020 to be approved on initial review.
One driver expressed frustration with the pandemic, applying for "FUCOVID," but that plate was rejected. Other submissions got political with "FUBDN" and "FTR UMP," both of which, of course, were rejected.
Personalized plates are first reviewed by staff at local tax collection offices and state motor vehicle offices. Other submissions are screened through the FLHSMV Inventory Control Unit.

"Anyone can contact the FLHSMV or their local tax collector's office to file a complaint should they encounter a plate that is obscene or objectionable," said Kelleher.
If a requested plate has a curse word, like "HELL NAW," it is rejected immediately. A reference to cursing, like "HELYAZ," got through on initial review, but was overturned and recalled.

It's clear from reviewing the list that drivers are getting more aggressive with their requests. "V10L3NT," "KRZYBCH," "KDNAPPR" and "HOMICDL" got the axe. Yet "5ICKO" and "DA BULLY" punched their way through.
Most plates with references to law enforcement got rejected, as state law forbids citizens from impersonating law enforcement. Plates like "CIA BABY," "FBI-19" and "RET FBI" got rejected. One plate, however, with a more vague reference to the police — "WUZFUZ" — got OK'd.
Personalized license plates are different from specialty tags, which show support for a broad range of organizations that include environmental causes or support for military veterans or colleges.
The specialty tags can also be personalized by using four to seven digits or letters, though there is an annual upcharge of about $53 per vehicle.

For full article from The Gainesville Sun with images: click here

In the race to get the final few specialty plates approved before the new 135 maximum cap is in place, Tom Brady has donated the requisite funds to cover the cost of 2,500 presale vouchers. Before the new Best Buddies specialty license plate is manufactured, 3,000 vouchers must be completed within two years of the initial offering date. The free vouchers are courtesy of Tom Brady and Best Buddies, for the right to receive the Best Buddies Tom Brady specialty license plate once the 3000 vouchers have been registered and completed.
While you will receive the $33 voucher credit, the recipient will still need to pay their normal registration fees to the State of Florida.
​You can get the free voucher by clicking here

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has announced that the new Florida State Parks specialty license plate is now available.
Floridians who purchased presale vouchers for the specialty license plate are now able to redeem them and purchase the specialty license plate.

The new specialty license plates were authorized during Florida’s 2021 Legislative Session, and the presale process began in October of 2021. The Florida State Parks specialty plate is the first plate from the 2021 Legislative Session to meet all design, development, manufacturing, and presale requirements that were established to begin the distribution process.
All annual revenue that is collected from the sale of the Florida State Parks specialty license plate will be distributed to the Florida State Parks Foundation, a Florida nonprofit, for their efforts to preserve, protect, sustain, and grow Florida’s state parks.

The New College of Florida (NCF), based in Sarasota, has had their specialty license plate discontinued. Florida law requires the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to discontinue the specialty license plate with the lowest number of valid registrations. As of March 01, 2022, NCF had 765 valid registrations. New College has by far the smallest student population in the State University System of Florida with only 675 students as of the Fall 2020 semester.
On March 28, 2022, the NCF specialty license plate was discontinued.

​A vehicle owner or lessee issued a specialty license plate that has been discontinued may keep this discontinued specialty license plate for the remainder of the 10-year license plate replacement cycle. All other applicable registration fees will continue to be collected during the annual renewal period. They will no longer be charged the $25 annual specialty license plate fee that FLHSMV distributes to New College of Florida. No original, replacement or personalized license plate reservation transactions can be performed. If the customer chooses to switch to a different license plate, all applicable fees will be charged.
Additionally, the gift certificate voucher for the New College of Florida specialty license plate is deauthorized and is no longer available to customers. 

​New College of Florida is a public liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida. It was founded in 1960 as a private institution known simply as New College, spent several years merged into the University of South Florida, and in 2001 became an autonomous college, the eleventh independent school of the State University System of Florida. Upon achieving independence, the school adopted its current name: New College of Florida.
The school is distinguished by its unusual "contract system," in which students are given written evaluations instead of grades and agree to semester-long contracts in which a certain number of classes must be passed. For example, in a "three out of five" contract, a student who failed two classes would face no penalty, although one who failed three classes would risk losing the entire semester's credits. The system was devised to encourage academic experimentation and foster curiosity about disparate topics outside one's usual course of study. New College students are required to complete an undergraduate thesis project and baccalaureate exam, during which the student presents and defends their project to a committee of professors.
Undergraduates complete a step-by-step career education plan that integrates professional development with their academic experience. Students work with their personal career coach and faculty sponsor to undertake professional internships, undergraduate research, community service, and other hands-on learning opportunities that complement their academic coursework.

CS/CS/SB 364, an 'Act Relating to Specialty License Plates', has been approved by the Florida Legislature and is being sent to the Governor for approval.
The bill reduces the number of allowable specialty plates to 135, from 150, and adds another 8 proposed specialty plates to the Presale Program, upon approval by FLHSMV: Inter Miami CF, Safe Haven for Newborns, PAP Corp Champions for Cancer Research, Learn to Fly, Florida Swims, Down Syndrome Awareness, Gopher Tortoise and Take Stock in Children.
HB 163 (filed by Reps Hinson, Tant and Woodson on 9/22/2021) and SB 424 (filed by Sen Berman on 10/8/2021) – proposed the 'Ethical Ecotourism' specialty license plate for the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism and Paddle Florida, Inc. This was not heard in any Committee and was indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 12.00 AM.
SB 1154 (filed by Sen Stewart on 12/2/2021) – proposed the ‘Orlando United’ specialty license plate for the LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. and onePULSE Foundation, Inc. for the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016. This was not heard in any Committee and was indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 12.00 AM.
According to the latest data release from FLHSMV, there are currently 33 specialty plates in the Presale Voucher process, and with the 8 new ones, there will be 41. The Senate Bill analysis for the bill that just passed states that there are currently 123 specialty license plates and there are 3 more, plus the nine 'Divine 9' specialty plates that have already completed the presale process, which will bring the number of specialty plates to 135. The bill, which awaits the governor's signature, reduces the number of allowable specialty plates to 135, from 150

Digital License Plates
CS/CS/HB 91 (Filed by Rep Duran on 9/13/2021) 
After passing both the Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee and Commerce Committee, sat on Second Reading on the House Floor. Was indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 12.00 AM.
Lobbyists that registered for this bill were:  
Floridian Partners, LLC: Jorge Chamizo for Reviver Auto
Jeff Kottkamp PA: Barney Bishop for Airplate, LLC
Ronald L Book PA: Ronald L Book for AutoNation, Inc., Dealer Services Network, LLC, Florida Association of Motorist Service Providers, Inc., K.A.S & Associates, Inc. and Rana G Brown for AutoNation, Inc. and Florida Association of Motorist Service Providers, Inc.
Elizabeth D’Silva Alvi filed on behalf of Audubon Florida
The companion bill, CS/SB 1178 (filed by Sen Broxson on 12/7/2021), passed both the Transportation Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Committee, but sat in Appropriations from 2/17/22 without hearing. Was indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 12.00 AM.
The only registered lobbyist firm that filed for this bill was Ronald L Book PA: Ronald L Book for AutoNation, Inc., Dealer Services Network, LLC, Florida Association of Motorist Service Providers, Inc., K.A.S & Associates, Inc. and Rana G Brown for AutoNation, Inc. and Florida Association of Motorist Service Providers, Inc.

Private Vendor License Plate Sales.
HB 555 (filed by Rep Byrd on 11/9/2021) never got heard in any Committee and then was indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 12.00 AM.
Lobbyists that registered for this bill were:  
Mercury Public Affairs: Keith Marino Cabrera for License Plates of Texas, LLC [an indication appeared in the House Lobbyist filing that SB 824 was included, but was not filed in the Senate side]
Ronald L Book PA: Ronald L Book for AutoNation, Inc., Dealer Services Network, LLC, Florida Association of Motorist Service Providers, Inc., K.A.S & Associates, Inc. and Rana G Brown for AutoNation, Inc. and Florida Association of Motorist Service Providers, Inc.
Ramba Consulting Group, LLC: Allison S Carvajal, for Florida Automobile Dealers Association.
Capital City Consulting: Megan Fay, for 3M Company and American Traffic Solutions, Inc. d/b/a Verra Mobility
The Senate companion bill, SB 824 (filed by Sen Gruters on 11/4/2021) never got heard in any committee and then was indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 12.00 AM.
The only registered lobbyist firm that filed for this bill was Ronald L Book PA: Ronald L Book for AutoNation, Inc., Dealer Services Network, LLC, Florida Association of Motorist Service Providers, Inc., K.A.S & Associates, Inc. and Rana G Brown for AutoNation, Inc. and Florida Association of Motorist Service Providers, Inc.​

The moral of the story is, don't have Ron Book on the opposite side of your bill!