Florida HSMV Form 83065 Transporter License Plate Guide – Businesses in Florida that transport unregistered motor vehicles as part of their operations need a special license plate known as a transporter license plate. The official application form for this plate is HSMV Form 83065, issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). This comprehensive guide explains everything U.S. businesses need to know about Form 83065, including eligibility, required documents, fees, application steps, and proper use of the plate.
Download the official form here: Florida HSMV Form 83065 – Application for Transporter License Plate (PDF)
What Is a Florida Transporter License Plate?
Under Florida Statute § 320.133, the FLHSMV may issue a transporter license plate to any applicant who, incidental to the conduct of their business, engages in transporting motor vehicles that are not currently registered to any owner and do not have license plates.
The plate is valid only while the motor vehicle is in the possession of the business and is being transported in the course of that business. It features a distinctive color approved by the department and displays the word “TRANSPORTER” in place of the county name. Each plate is valid for a 12-month period running from January 1 through December 31, with no refund for any unused portion of the registration period.
Who Is Eligible for a Transporter License Plate?
According to the official FLHSMV Motor Vehicle Procedure Manual (RS-14), eligible businesses typically include (but are not limited to):
- Motor vehicle detail shops
- Van conversion shops
- Specialized businesses that install additional equipment on motor vehicles
- Licensed repossessors who contract with lending institutions to repossess or recover motor vehicles or mobile homes
- Drive-away services (businesses that provide drivers to deliver an unregistered vehicle from one location to another)
- Motor vehicle dealers
Businesses that are not eligible include:
- Banks and other lending institutions (these must use temporary license plates)
- Vehicle transport operators that use trucks, truck tractors, car carriers, low-boys, or trailers to haul vehicles (those power units and trailers require regular registration plates)
- Businesses that transport people
- Mobile home dealers
Eligibility focuses on incidental transport of unregistered vehicles as part of normal business operations, not large-scale commercial vehicle hauling or passenger transport.
Required Documents for Form 83065
To apply, you must submit the following to your local county tax collector’s office or a licensed plate agency:
- Completed HSMV Form 83065 – Application for Transporter License Plate
- Proof of insurance – Garage or commercial automobile liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000. Acceptable proof includes a copy of a Florida insurance policy, binder, or certificate of insurance issued in the legal business name.
- Proof of business status – A copy of the occupational or business tax receipt (where applicable) or documentation from the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.
- Applicable fees – License tax, original plate fee, decal-on-demand fee, service fee, and any branch office fee if applying at a county branch.
Applications for more than five transporter plates per business entity must be processed through an FLHSMV Division of Motorist Services Regional Office rather than a local tax collector or plate agency.
How to Complete and Submit Florida HSMV Form 83065?
The form is straightforward. Fill in the following sections accurately:
- Name of business/applicant
- Street address, city, state, and ZIP code
- Number of transporter license plates requested
- Certification that the business engages in transporting unregistered motor vehicles incidental to its operations
- Acknowledgment of the $100,000 minimum liability insurance requirement and business tax receipt (where applicable)
- Signature of the owner or authorized representative and the date
The form includes a perjury declaration. Submit the completed form, proof of insurance, business documentation, and fees in person or by mail (check your local tax collector’s accepted methods) to your local county tax collector’s office or a license plate agency.
Official download link: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/83065.pdf
Fees for a Florida Transporter License Plate
The base license tax for each transporter plate is a flat $101.25 under Florida Statute § 320.08(15). Of this amount, $75 is distributed to the Departments of Education and Transportation, and $26.75 goes to the General Revenue Fund.
Additional fees typically include:
- Original license plate fee
- Decal-on-demand fee
- Service fee
- Branch fee (if applying through a county branch office)
Total cost varies slightly by county. Always confirm current fees with your local tax collector, as they process payments according to the Tax Due and Credit Manual (class code “70”). There is no proration or refund for partial-year use.
Validity Period and Renewal
Transporter license plates are valid from January 1 through December 31 each year. Renewals are handled through county license plate agencies. You must provide current proof of the required $100,000 liability insurance and pay the applicable fees again. The five-plate limit at local offices still applies; higher quantities go through a regional FLHSMV office.
Proper Use and Restrictions
A transporter plate may be used only on a motor vehicle that is in the possession of the licensed business while that vehicle is being transported as part of the business. It is not a general-use plate, nor is it intended for vehicles that already have valid registration or for hauling vehicles on carriers. Misuse can result in penalties, plate revocation, or other enforcement actions by the FLHSMV or law enforcement.
Replacement or Additional Plates
Local tax collectors and plate agencies may issue or replace up to five transporter plates per entity. Requests that would exceed five plates (or more than five replacements in a calendar year) must go through an FLHSMV Regional Office. For replacements, use Form HSMV 83146 along with proof of insurance and the required replacement fees.