Florida HSMV Form 83090 Dealer Temporary Plates Guide – Florida licensed motor vehicle, motorcycle, mobile home, and recreational vehicle dealers rely on HSMV Form 83090 to request pre-printed temporary license plates. Officially titled “Application by Florida Motor Vehicle, Motorcycle, Mobile Home or Recreational Vehicle Dealer for Temporary License Plates,” this form is issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and is authorized under Florida Statute 320.131.
What Is Florida HSMV Form 83090?
HSMV 83090 is the official application that licensed Florida dealers must complete and submit to obtain a supply of pre-printed temporary license plates. The form collects the dealership’s identifying information, the number and type of plates requested, the reason for the request, the name of the dealer’s ETR/EFS vendor, and the required fee.
The current revision of the form is HSMV 83090 (Rev. 07/13). Once processed, the issuing agency (county tax collector, license plate agency, or FLHSMV Division of Motorist Services Regional Office) assigns a range of temporary plate numbers and returns a copy of the form to the dealership along with the plates and blank HSMV 83091 forms.
Download the official form here: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/83090.pdf
Who Can Use Form 83090?
Only Florida dealers licensed under the following statutes may submit Form 83090:
- Section 320.27, Florida Statutes (motor vehicle dealers)
- Section 320.77, Florida Statutes (mobile home dealers)
- Section 320.771, Florida Statutes (recreational vehicle dealers)
The form is not for individual vehicle owners or non-dealer entities. Private parties and non-licensed sellers use a different form—HSMV 83091—for temporary plates.
When Do Dealers Need Temporary Plates via Form 83090?
Licensed dealers normally issue temporary tags electronically through an approved ETR vendor. Pre-printed plates obtained with Form 83090 are limited to:
- ETR Outages – When the electronic system is unavailable, dealers may issue pre-printed temporary plates.
- Trailers under 2,000 lbs. – Pre-printed temporary plates may be used for light trailers that fall outside standard ETR print-on-demand requirements.
Temporary plates issued by dealers are generally valid for 30 days (including the date of issue). A dealer may issue a maximum of two temporary tags for the same vehicle to the same customer.
Required Information on Form 83090
Dealers must accurately complete the following sections:
- Number of temporary license plates requested
- Type of plates (regular or motorcycle)
- Reason for request (Trailers under 2,000 lbs. or ETR Outages)
- Required fee amount
- Name of the dealer’s ETR/EFS vendor (or a written explanation if a vendor is not applicable)
- Full name and address of the dealership
- Dealer’s license number
- Signature of an authorized representative and the date
The form contains a declaration under penalties of perjury that the information provided is true.
Fees for Temporary Plates
According to Florida Statute 320.131 and guidance from county tax collectors:
- Statutory fee: $2.00 per temporary plate
- Plates are typically sold in increments of 5, with a maximum of 25 per transaction in many counties
- Service fee: approximately $2.50 per transaction (varies by county tax collector or license plate agency)
- Additional branch fees may apply in some locations
One dollar of the $2 statutory fee is deposited into the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program Trust Fund; the remaining dollar goes to the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.
How to Submit Form 83090?
Submit the completed original Form 83090 to:
- Any Florida county tax collector’s office, or
- A licensed license plate agency, or
- A FLHSMV Division of Motorist Services Regional Office
Find local offices on the official FLHSMV website: https://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/.
When the form is submitted to a county tax collector or license plate agent, a copy of the completed form must be mailed or electronically transmitted within two business days to the FLHSMV regional office that serves the issuing county. The original form is retained by the issuing agency for a minimum of one year.
Related Forms and Processes
- HSMV 83091 – Application for Temporary License Plate (used when actually issuing a temporary plate to a customer or for non-dealer situations). Blank copies are provided with the plates obtained via Form 83090.
- Electronic Temporary Registration (ETR) – The primary method dealers use for everyday temporary tags. Dealers must maintain a relationship with a certified ETR/EFS vendor. Find authorized providers on the FLHSMV website.
- HSMV 82082 – Off-line Issuance of a Pre-printed Temporary License Plate (used to document issuance during an ETR outage).
Legal Requirements and Penalties
Florida law strictly regulates temporary tags:
- Knowingly misusing temporary plates to avoid proper vehicle registration is a first-degree misdemeanor under Section 320.131(5), Florida Statutes.
- Issuing temporary plates to fictitious persons or entities to conceal true ownership is a third-degree felony under Section 320.131(6), Florida Statutes.
- Unlawful issuance or use of a temporary tag is a noncriminal infraction punishable as a moving violation, with additional administrative action possible by FLHSMV.
Dealers must keep accurate records and follow all FLHSMV procedures, including those outlined in official manuals such as RS-31.
Tips for Florida Dealers
- Always keep the original Form 83090 and a copy of the assigned plate range for your records.
- Verify that your ETR/EFS vendor information is current before submitting the application.
- Order plates only when needed for authorized purposes (ETR outages or light trailers).
- Train staff on proper documentation when issuing pre-printed plates during outages (use of Form 82082 and timely reporting).
- Confirm local tax collector policies, as some offices limit the number of plates per transaction or have specific appointment requirements.