Florida HSMV Form 83043 Personalized License Plate Guide

Florida HSMV Form 83043 Personalized License Plate Guide – Florida drivers looking to stand out on the road can request a custom combination of letters and numbers through the official Florida HSMV Form 83043 – Application for Personalized License Plate. Issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), this form is the required document for ordering a personalized (vanity) license plate for most registered vehicles in the state.

This comprehensive guide covers everything U.S. residents need to know about Form 83043, including eligibility, how to download and complete the form, character limits, fees, processing times, and submission steps. All information is based on current official FLHSMV resources.

What Is Florida HSMV Form 83043?

Form HSMV 83043 is the official application used by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to request a personalized license plate. The form allows vehicle owners or lessees to select up to four preferred configurations of letters, numbers, spaces, or hyphens. The latest revision is dated February 2025 (Rev. 02/25).

Personalized plates are available for most private passenger vehicles, trucks under certain weight limits, motorcycles, and many specialty designs. They are not available for restricted, apportioned, wrecker, or dual truck plates.

You can download the official form directly from the FLHSMV website:

Download Florida HSMV Form 83043 (PDF)

Who Can Apply for a Personalized License Plate in Florida?

To qualify for a personalized license plate using Form 83043, applicants must meet these basic requirements:

Be the registered owner, co-owner, lessee, or co-lessee of a vehicle titled and registered in Florida
Have a current Florida vehicle registration with the license tax paid for the registration year
Provide proof of Florida personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance
Choose a configuration that is available and does not violate state content rules

Applications can be submitted at any time during the year, provided the vehicle is currently registered in Florida.

How to Check Personalized License Plate Availability

Before completing Form 83043, always verify that your desired combination is available. The FLHSMV provides a free online tool for this purpose.

Visit the official Personalized License Plate Inquiry service:

Florida Personalized License Plate Availability Checker

You can enter up to several configurations at once. Availability can change quickly, so check shortly before visiting your local tax collector’s office.

Character Limits and Formatting Rules for Florida Personalized Plates

Florida sets clear limits based on plate design:

Center graphic plates (standard Florida design): Up to 7 characters, plus one additional space or hyphen
Left graphic specialty plates: Up to 5 characters (including space or hyphen)
Motorcycle plates: Up to 6 characters

Only uppercase letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), spaces, and hyphens are permitted. Characters are not automatically centered—spaces must be entered exactly where you want them to appear on the finished plate.

The FLHSMV reserves the right to reject or later recall any configuration deemed obscene, objectionable, or inappropriate under Florida Statutes Section 320.0805.

Required Documents and Information for Form 83043

When submitting the Application for Personalized License Plate, bring or include the following:

Completed and signed HSMV Form 83043
Proof of Florida insurance (insurance card, policy, binder, certificate, or affidavit showing PIP and PDL coverage)
Copy of your current Florida vehicle registration certificate or renewal notice
Payment for all applicable fees (check or money order payable to the county tax collector or license plate agent if mailing)

The form itself requires owner/lessee name and address, vehicle details (VIN, make, year, color, weight, title number, current plate/decal), and ranked plate choices (1st through 4th).

Fees for Florida Personalized License Plates

Personalized plates carry an additional annual fee on top of regular registration costs:

Annual personalization fee: $15 ($10 use fee + $5 processing fee)
Initial metal plate/replacement fee: Approximately $28 (varies slightly by county)
Specialty plate annual use fee (if combining personalization with a specialty design): Varies by organization
Standard vehicle registration tax based on vehicle weight and county

Some counties may charge a small branch fee. An optional mail fee applies if the plate is mailed to you. Fees are due at the time of application and again each year upon renewal.

Contact your local county tax collector for exact totals, as they can vary.

How to Submit Florida HSMV Form 83043?

Florida does not currently offer fully online submission for new personalized plate applications. The preferred method is in-person delivery.

In-Person (Recommended)

Download and complete Form 83043
Check availability online
Visit any Florida county tax collector’s office or authorized license plate agent
Present the form, insurance proof, current registration, and payment

Find your nearest location using the official FLHSMV directory:

FLHSMV Office Locations

By Mail

Some counties accept mailed applications. Otherwise, mail to the FLHSMV Direct Mail unit in Tallahassee (confirm current address with your local office). Mailing generally increases processing time.

Processing Time for Personalized License Plates

After approval, expect manufacturing and delivery to take approximately six to eight weeks (or 60–90 days total from submission). The plate is produced at the state facility and sent to your local tax collector’s office or license plate agent for pickup or mailing, depending on local procedures.

If your first choice is unavailable or rejected, the department will typically process your next listed preference without requiring a new application.

Tips for a Successful Application

List four ranked choices to improve your chances of approval
Double-check spacing on the form—what you write is exactly how the plate will be manufactured
Avoid configurations that could be interpreted as offensive; the Inventory Control Unit screens all orders
Ensure your vehicle registration is current before applying
Keep a copy of the completed form and payment receipt

Official Resources and Additional Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date details, always refer to official FLHSMV sources:

Personalized license plates offer a unique way for Florida drivers to express individuality while supporting the state’s motor vehicle registration system. By following the guidelines on Form 83043 and verifying availability in advance, most applicants can successfully obtain their custom plate with minimal delays.