Florida HSMV Form 83045: Street Rod & Antique Guide

Florida HSMV Form 83045: Street Rod & Antique Guide – Florida vehicle owners of classic, modified, or historic cars can obtain special permanent or specialized license plates through the official Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Form 83045. This application covers Street Rods, Custom Vehicles, Horseless Carriages, and certain Antique (Permanent) vehicles. Using the correct form and following current eligibility rules helps collectors and enthusiasts register these unique vehicles properly while potentially benefiting from reduced fees and permanent tags in qualifying cases.

The current version of the form is HSMV 83045 (Rev. 07/25). You can download the official PDF directly from the Florida DHSMV website:

Download Florida HSMV Form 83045 (PDF)

What Is Florida HSMV Form 83045?

Form HSMV 83045 is the official application used to request registration and special license plates for four categories of vehicles under Florida law:

Street Rods
Custom Vehicles
Horseless Carriages (Ancient motor vehicles)
Antique (Permanent) vehicles (including certain firefighting apparatus, former military vehicles, and historical motor vehicles)

The form is issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and must be completed accurately. Supporting documents, proof of Florida insurance, and a valid Florida Certificate of Title are generally required. Procedures are detailed in FLHSMV registration manuals RS-25 (Horseless Carriage and Antique) and RS-28 (Street Rod and Custom Vehicle).

Official references include flhsmv.gov, Florida Statutes § 320.086 (ancient/antique vehicles and horseless carriages), and § 320.0863 (custom vehicles and street rods).

Eligibility Requirements for Each Vehicle Category

Eligibility is defined by Florida Statutes and the form itself. Vehicles must meet specific age, modification, weight, and use criteria.

Street Rod Definition and Rules

A Street Rod is a modified motor vehicle manufactured prior to 1949 (or a vehicle manufactured after 1948 to resemble a pre-1949 model). Key requirements include:

The vehicle has been altered from the manufacturer’s original design or has a body constructed from non-original materials.
It meets only the state equipment and safety requirements that were in effect in Florida as a condition of sale in the model year listed on the certificate of title.
The vehicle will be used only for exhibition and not for general daily transportation.
A vehicle inspection must be completed at a FLHSMV Regional office, and the title must be branded “Street Rod” before the Street Rod license plate can be issued.

Street Rod plates are processed through local county tax collector offices or license plate agencies.

Custom Vehicle Definition and Rules

A Custom Vehicle is a modified motor vehicle manufactured after 1948 that is 25 years old or older (or manufactured to resemble such a vehicle). Requirements include:

The vehicle has been altered from the manufacturer’s original design or has a body constructed from non-original materials.
It meets the equipment and safety standards in effect for the model year shown on the title.
Use is limited to exhibition and not general transportation.
Inspection at a FLHSMV Regional office and title branding as “Custom Vehicle” are required before plate issuance.

Like Street Rods, Custom Vehicle plates are handled at local tax collector or license plate agency offices. The model year listed on the title determines the year the body resembles, regardless of actual manufacture date.

Horseless Carriage (Ancient) Vehicles

A Horseless Carriage is an automobile, truck, or motorcycle weighing 5,000 pounds or less, manufactured in model year 1945 or earlier, and used for private purposes. The engine must also meet 1945-or-earlier standards (or be built to original specifications).

The special Horseless Carriage license plate is permanent and remains valid without renewal as long as the vehicle stays under the same owner/registrant. These plates are issued only by the Florida DHSMV (not local offices in most cases) and run in a separate series beginning with “Horseless Carriage No. 1.”

Antique (Permanent) Registration

Permanent Antique plates apply to vehicles used only in exhibitions, parades, or public displays. Qualifying vehicles include:

Firefighting apparatus that is 30 years old or older
Former military vehicles (no age requirement if maintained with accurate military design and markings)
Other historical motor vehicles that are 30 years old or older

These plates are permanent and do not require renewal while ownership and permitted use remain the same. Note that regular (non-permanent) Antique plates for post-1945 vehicles that are 30+ years old and used for private road use are handled differently and typically renew annually; Form 83045 is specifically for the permanent category in most cases.

How to Complete and Submit Form 83045?

The form has three main sections:

Applicant Information – Name, email, street address, city, state, ZIP, telephone, sex, date of birth, and Florida driver license or FEID number.
Vehicle Information – Year, make, body type, weight, color, engine or ID number, title number, and previous license plate number (if any).
Certification – Check the applicable box for Street Rod, Custom Vehicle, Horseless Carriage, or Antique, and sign the certification that the information is true and correct.

Where to submit:

Street Rod or Custom Vehicle – Local county tax collector’s office or license plate agency. Find locations at flhsmv.gov/locations.
Horseless Carriage or Permanent Antique (except qualifying firefighting vehicles) – Must be mailed to the department:
Direct Mail, MS# 72
2900 Apalachee Parkway, Neil Kirkman Building
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Include a copy of the Florida vehicle registration or title and proof of Florida insurance. A department employee will contact you by phone to complete processing and payment.
Qualifying firefighting apparatus – May be submitted locally or to the department.

Always verify the latest mailing instructions and fees on the official form or FLHSMV website, as procedures can be updated.

Required Documents and Fees

Typical supporting documents include:

Completed and signed HSMV 83045
Valid Florida Certificate of Title (or application for title if needed)
Proof of Florida insurance
Copy of current Florida registration (when mailing)
For Street Rods and Custom Vehicles: evidence that the title has been (or will be) branded after inspection

Fees generally include the applicable license tax (often a reduced flat rate for qualifying ancient/antique vehicles under § 320.08), plate manufacturing/processing fees, and any service or branch fees. The initial registration fee is typically not required for vehicles 30 years old or older. Exact amounts appear on the form and in current FLHSMV fee schedules; confirm with your local office or the department, as fees can change.

Important Usage Restrictions and Compliance Tips

Street Rods and Custom Vehicles are limited to exhibition use (not general daily transportation).
Permanent Antique plates are restricted to exhibitions, parades, and public displays.
Horseless Carriage plates generally allow private use on public roads.
All applicants must maintain Florida insurance.
Commercial use typically disqualifies a vehicle from these special categories.
Keep the registration certificate available; former military vehicles may have limited display exemptions under specific conditions.

Incorrect use can result in loss of the special plate or other penalties. When in doubt, contact your local tax collector, a license plate agency, or FLHSMV directly.

Why Use Form 83045 for Your Classic or Modified Vehicle?

Special registration through Form 83045 offers collectors several advantages: distinctive license plates, potential fee savings compared with standard weight-based registration, and (for Horseless Carriage and certain permanent Antique plates) the convenience of no annual renewal while ownership remains the same. Proper branding and registration also help maintain clear title history for modified vehicles.

For the most current information, always refer to the official sources:

Download the form, complete it carefully, gather the required documents, and submit according to the category of your vehicle. Doing so ensures your Street Rod, Custom Vehicle, Horseless Carriage, or qualifying Antique is properly registered under Florida law.