Florida HSMV Form 83363 License Plate Refund – If you need a refund of Florida motor vehicle registration fees, the official form is HSMV 83363 – Application for License Plate and Decal Refund. Issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), this form is the only accepted way to request a cash refund of registration taxes or the $225 initial registration fee under specific, limited circumstances.
Florida does not offer prorated refunds for unused portions of a registration period. Refunds are available only in the situations clearly listed on the form and authorized by Florida law.
Download the official form here: HSMV 83363 – Application for License Plate and Decal Refund (PDF)
What Is Florida HSMV Form 83363?
Form HSMV 83363 is the official application used by Florida vehicle owners, mobile home owners, and vessel owners to request a refund of registration fees or the initial registration fee. The current revision is dated November 2024 (Rev. 11/24).
You must complete the form, attach required supporting documents, and either surrender the physical license plate/decal with the application or have already surrendered it at a tax collector’s office or license plate agency.
Who Qualifies for a Refund Using Form 83363?
Refunds are available only in these specific situations:
- Surrendered plate or decal before the effective date of registration – You renewed early during the advance renewal period and surrendered the plate/decal before midnight on your birthday (the effective date). No refund is available after the effective date, and there are no prorated refunds.
- Initial Registration Fee ($225) – You paid the $225 initial registration fee and disposed of (sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of) the vehicle within 90 days of payment. Proof of disposition is required.
- Two license plates/decals purchased for the same vehicle – You were issued duplicate registrations for the same vehicle during the same period.
- New plate issued when a current plate was available for transfer – A new plate was issued unnecessarily when you already had a transferable current plate.
- Mobile home or recreational vehicle declared as real property – You obtained a Real Property (RP) decal and can provide the required DR-402 declaration.
- Pre-sale specialty license plate voucher – The specialty plate failed to meet the minimum pre-sale requirement or met the requirement but was never issued.
Important: Surrendering a plate after the registration has taken effect generally results in cancellation only. You may receive credit toward a new registration if you transfer the plate to another vehicle before expiration, but you will not receive a cash refund for unused time.
Required Documents to Submit with Form 83363
Along with the completed and signed Form 83363, you must include:
- The original registration certificate showing the taxes or fees paid
- The physical license plate and/or decal (or proof that it was already surrendered at a tax collector or license plate agency – Section 4 of the form must be completed by the office)
- Supporting documentation specific to your reason for refund (examples below)
For Initial Registration Fee refunds:
- Copy of the registration showing the $225 fee was paid
- Proof the vehicle was disposed of within 90 days (front and back of title signed over to the buyer, or a complete bill of sale including VIN, year, make, sale date, and signatures of both parties)
For mobile home / RV real property refunds:
- Copy of the current Real Property (RP) decal and registration
- Completed Form DR-402 (Declaration of Mobile Home as Real Property) signed by the county property appraiser or designated staff
How to Complete Florida Form 83363?
- Download the latest version of the form from the official FLHSMV website.
- Section 1 – Owner Information: Enter your full name, mailing address, Florida driver license or ID number, phone, email, and sign/date the form. All correspondence and any refund check will be mailed to the address you provide.
- Section 2 – Vehicle Description: Provide the VIN (or HIN for vessels), year, make, and license plate/decal number with year (or vessel registration number).
- Section 3 – Reason for Refund: Check the box that matches your situation and follow the instructions listed under that reason.
- Section 4 – Tax Collector Use Only: Leave this blank unless you already surrendered the plate at a local office. The tax collector or license plate agent will complete this section if applicable.
Where to Submit Form 83363?
Mail the completed application, supporting documents, and the physical plate/decal (if not already surrendered) to:
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Direct Mail and Issuance
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Room A330, MS-72
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Do not send the form to your local tax collector for final processing of the cash refund. Local offices can accept the plate for cancellation and complete Section 4, but the refund application itself must go to Tallahassee.
Important Rules and Limitations
- There is no provision in Florida law for prorated refunds.
- For biennial (two-year) registrations, if you surrender after the effective date, you receive no refund for either year.
- Refund applications must generally be filed within three years after the right to the refund accrues (Florida Statute 215.26).
- Gift certificates for established specialty plates are non-refundable.
- Credits (instead of cash refunds) are available in some other situations under Florida Statute 320.15 when a vehicle is destroyed or permanently removed from the state and the plate is surrendered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I sell my car mid-year?
Usually no. Selling the vehicle and surrendering the plate after the registration is in effect does not qualify for a cash refund. You may transfer the plate to another vehicle you own or receive credit only in limited cases.
How long does the refund process take?
Processing times vary. Submit a complete package with all required documents to avoid delays.
Is the form available at my local tax collector’s office?
Yes. Most county tax collector offices and license plate agencies can provide a copy of Form 83363, or you can download it directly.
What if I already turned in my plate?
Have the tax collector or license plate agent complete Section 4 of Form 83363 and include that completed section with your mailed application.