Linda Myers, Tax Collector                                                                                                    Brenda Bridges, Deputy Tax Collector                                           PROUDLY SERVING PUTNAM COUNTY

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00pm

Concealed Weapon Permitting & Driver License Road Test

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  • Important Information about Motor Vehicle Title & Registration.
  • Please be aware that privately owned businesses may sell Florida specialty plates. These entities are not owned or operated by any county, state or federal governmental agency. The Tax Collector’s Office is not responsible for their transactions and cannot resolve fulfillment issues.
  • Only the Tax Collector and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can register or title vehicles.
  • Registrations of privately owned vehicles and long-term leased vehicles are valid until midnight on the registrant’s birthday. A delinquent fee is charged if the registration is not renewed by the 10th day of the following month.
  • Registration can be renewed up to three months prior to your expiration date.
  • The Tax Collector sends courtesy motor vehicle registration renewal (reminder) notices in advance of the registrant’s renewal date. Non-receipt of the notice does not relieve the registrant from their responsibility to renew on time or exempt them from paying the delinquent fee upon renewal
  • New residents must title and register their vehicles within 10 days of establishing legal residency, accepting employment, or enrolling children in public school.
  • A single license plate is displayed on the rear of the vehicle except for trucks with a gross vehicle weight more than 26,000 pounds. Those trucks are issued two license plates with the plate bearing the decal displayed on the front.
  • License plates belong to the person/owner, not the vehicle, and may be transferred to a replacement vehicle through an official transaction. Florida license plates are replaced every 10 years.
  • Automobiles and trucks must have at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and at least $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) insurance.

Vehicles Titled in Florida

A Florida Title Transfer is needed when a vehicle currently titled in Florida changes/transfers ownership to a different Florida owner.

Title and Registration Fees

Title and registration fees are determined by several factors (type of plate purchased, vehicle weight, length of registration period, etc.). You may complete your title transaction by mail or at any or our Service Centers. The new Certificate of Title will be mailed to you in 8 to 10 business days.
If you have not received your new Certificate of Title in 4 weeks, you can visit a service center or download Duplicate or Lost in Transit/Reassignment Title HSMV 82101.

Expedited Title Service


Vehicles Previously Titled Out-of-State

The information in the following section applies to vehicles that were titled out-of-state and the following situation exists:

  • Vehicle owner moves to Florida, or
  • Vehicle titled out-of-state changes/transfers ownership to a resident of Florida.

 

Title and Registration Fees

Title and registration fees are determined by several factors (type of plate purchased, vehicle weight, length of registration period, etc.). You may complete your title transaction by mail or at six of our eight Service Centers. The new Certificate of Title will be mailed to you in 2 to 4 weeks. Submit a Contact Form for additional information.

If you have not received your new Certificate of Title in four weeks, you can visit a service center or click here to download Duplicate or Lost in Transit/Reassignment Title HSMV 82101.
Expedited Title Service

For an extra cost, Expedited Title Service is available at our Service Centers.

New Vehicles Previously Not Titled

A title for a car with a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin refers to a brand new vehicle purchased out-of-state that has not yet been titled.

Title and Registration Fees

Title and registration fees are determined by several factors (type of plate purchased, vehicle weight, length of registration period, etc.). You may complete your title transaction by mail or at any of our  Service Centers. The new Certificate of Title will be mailed to you in 2 to 4 weeks. Submit a Contact Form for additional information.

If you have not received your new Certificate of Title in 4 weeks, you can visit a service center or click here to download Duplicate or Lost in Transit/Reassignment Title HSMV 82101.

Expedited Title Service

For an extra cost, Expedited Title Service is available at our Service Centers.

 

Leased Vehicles

A title for a car with a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin refers to a brand new vehicle purchased out-of-state that has not yet been titled.

 

Title and Registration Fees

Title and Registration fees are determined by several factors (type of plate purchased, vehicle weight, length of registration period, etc.). You may complete your title transaction at any Putnam County Service Centers.

Heavy Commercial Vehicles

Commercial motor vehicles additional liability insurance coverage

Florida Statutes, Section 320.01(26) “Commercial motor vehicle” means any vehicle which is not owned or operated by a governmental entity, which uses special fuel or motor fuel on the public highways, and which has a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, or has three or more axles regardless of weight, or is used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight.

The minimum required amounts of coverage for the combined bodily liability insurance and property damage liability insurance, as provided in section 627.7415, Florida Statutes.

  • $50,000 per occurrence for a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, but less than 35,000 pounds.
  • $100,000 per occurrence for a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 35,000 pounds or more, but less than 44,000 pounds.
  • $300,000 per occurrence for a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 44,000 pounds or more.

Vehicles Subject to Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT)

Florida Statutes, Section 320.02(7) provides the requirement for proof of filing, payment or exemption from Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) on motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 55,000 pounds or more prior to registration and issuance of a license plate.

  • Truck Tractors with a combined gross vehicle weight of 55,000 pounds or more
  • Heavy Trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 55,000 pounds or more
  • Buses with a gross vehicle weight of 55,000 pounds or more

For more information: Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, locate Florida IRS offices

View an example highlighting required information: IRS Form 2290, Schedule 1

Read More about Commercial Motor Vehicle Insurance Requirements

View an example highlighting required information: Certificate of Liability Insurance

Mobile Homes

The Constitutional Tax Collector titles and registers mobile homes.

Registrations for mobile homes used as living accommodations are renewed in October, November, or December.

A registration decal is issued and must be affixed to the lower left corner of the window closest to the street or access road.

Mobile home decals expire December 31st every year. A delinquent fee is charged if the registration is not renewed by January 10th.

View the Schedule of Motor Vehicle and Mobile Home Title and Lien Fees. http://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/Fees/Fees-01.PDF

Permanently Affixed Mobile Homes

If you own the land and permanently affix your mobile home, you may declare the mobile home as real property. This process is completed by obtaining and completing Declaration of Mobile Home as Real Property DR-402 from the Property Appraiser’s Office. Once approved, the mobile home is assessed as real property. The property owner must then deliver the approved DR-402 form to the Constitutional Tax Collector’s Office or Service Center where a “Real Property” (RP) decal is issued for a one-time fee of $5.10.

Expedited Title Service

For an extra cost, Expedited Title Service is available at our Service Centers. Expedited titles are issued the same day for an additional $10.00 fee. This service is available during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. Acceptable payments in person include cash, check or money order. Make payment to Tax Collector, or Putnam County Tax Collector. View the Schedule of Motor Vehicle and Mobile Home Title and Lien Fees. http://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/Fees/Fees-01.PDF

If the requester of the title is not the owner of the vehicle, the requester must have Power of Attorney or an Authorization Affidavit from the vehicle owner.

Regular titles are mailed from Tallahassee within one to two weeks after the transaction is completed in our offices.

Motor Vehicle Fleets

Motor Vehicle Fleets are groups of motor vehicles owned or leased by an organization, business, or government agency.

In April you will receive renewal notice reminders for each of your fleet vehicles. June 30th is the deadline for payment. Our Motor Vehicle Fleet renewal process is automated. You will receive a renewal notice reminder for each of your fleet vehicles.

Please complete or update any requested information on the renewal notice reminder and return them in the envelope provided. If you have replaced any of your vehicles and do not receive a renewal notice for the new vehicle, you may need to call us at 386-329-0282 for new fees. It is fast and easy to renew your registrations online. You may also renew in person at one of our Service Centers.

More questions? Read our FAQs >>
The Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles provides an interactive tool to help answer your questions.

Motor Vehicles – General

Who receives the fees for my driver license and motor vehicle transactions?
The fees are primarily used to fund the Department of Education (to teach Florida children), the Department of Transportation (to build roads and bridges) and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (to run the Florida Highway Patrol, Division of Driver Licenses and Division of Motor Vehicles).

How often does the State raise these fees?
The majority of the fees had not been adjusted in many years. For example, original and renewal driver license costs (on an annual basis) have not increased since 1989); the majority of motor vehicle registration fees have not increased since 1983); and most title fees have not increased since 1985 (24 years).

Are Florida’s fees the highest in the nation?
No. Florida’s fees are comparable to many other state’s fees for similar services. For example: prior to the new law change, base motor vehicle registration on a Honda Accord was $36.10 in Florida, as compared to $242 (Metro Atlanta), $75 (Texas), $78 (Illinois), $230 (California), or $84 (Michigan)

Do I save money with the “Renew for 2” program?
No. But you will save valuable time. To avoid office visits completely, please visit our website payment center to renew car and boat registrations, local business tax receipts or pay property taxes.

What happens if the Florida Legislature increases or decreases fees before my 2 year registration expires?
No refunds are issued if the new fees are lower and no bills are sent if the new fees are higher.

What happens if I sell my car before my 2 year renewal is due?
Simple. We will transfer the registration and plate to your new car as long as it has not expired. If you are not purchasing a new vehicle, cancel your registration by returning the license plate to our office (no refunds will be issued).

What happens if I move out of Florida before my 2 year registration renewal expires?
No refunds are issued. You may cancel your registration by returning the license plate to our office.

What do I do if I change insurance companies?
Check the vehicle ID number on your new insurance card to ensure that it matches the vehicle ID number on your registration. If it is correct, your new insurance company will update your information with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. If it is not correct, DHSMV will not recognize that you have insurance and send a suspension warning to you. Contact your insurance company to correct the vehicle ID number on your insurance card, if necessary.

How do I get a disabled parking permit?
Learn more about disabled parking permits >>

License Plates

How do I purchase a personalized license plate?
Application for Personalized License Plate, Form HSMV 83039 may be submitted in person or by mail to our main office.

How many characters can be on a personalized license plate?
License plates with a center logo design such as the basic Florida license plate or the Save the Manatee license plate, may have up to 7 characters plus either a space or a hyphen. License plates with a left-side logo design such as collegiate and sports license plates may have up to 5 characters with no additional space or hyphen.

Can I transfer my existing Florida license plate to a new vehicle?
Yes, but only after completing an official transfer at the Tax Collector’s Office. If you can provide proof that the vehicle from which you are taking the plate was in your name, and has been traded, sold or disposed of, the $225 Initial Registration fee will be waived.

How do I purchase a military license plate?
These license plates are issued only to individuals who meet a certain criteria. For example, to be eligible for a Medal of Honor license plate, the individual must submit proof from the U.S. Government that they were awarded the Medal of Honor. All military license plates, except Medal of Honor, are available at your local tax collector’s office.

Medal of Honor applications and renewals must be sent to:
Division of Motor Vehicles
Neil Kirkman Building
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Direct Mail MS72
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0620

  • Military license plates can be issued for use only on the following type vehicles:
  • Automobile (Private or Lease)
  • Motor home or truck camper which are not “for hire” or “commercial” use
  • Trucks for private use with a net weight 7,999 lbs. or less

Click here to see available military license plates:

I am an amateur radio operator. How do I get an amateur radio license plate for my vehicle?
License plates may be issued on automobiles (private or lease), trucks weighing 7,999 pounds or less and all recreational vehicle type units. Cost is an additional $5 annual fee for each original Amateur Radio license plate and $1.50 each year thereafter. Application may be submitted at any time during the year with a copy of the amateur radio license issued by the FCC and proof of Florida insurance at one of our full service center locations.

The manufacturer has 45 calendar days (from the date the order is received by manufacturer, not the date the license plate was ordered at the service center. License plates are issued for the current registration period unless application is made during the advance registration period (3 months preceding the owner’s birth month or designated registration period). When application is made during the advance registration period and full registration tax is paid, the license plate will expire the following year.

Motor Vehicle Fleet

Can I drop off motor vehicle fleet registration renewal notices and pick them up at any Putnam County Tax Collector service center?
Yes, renewals may be picked up from the same service center where they are dropped off.

Do I have to send in separate checks for each motor vehicle fleet registration renewal notice?
No, you may submit one check for all fleet renewals. Remember, if any fleet vehicles were replaced and you did not receive a renewal notice for the new fleet vehicle, you need to contact our office for new fees.

Do I need to complete the Insurance Affidavit on each fleet registration renewal notice?
No, provided you submit a copy of the motor vehicle fleet insurance card with all fleet registration renewal notices.

What if I did not receive a registration renewal notice for all fleet vehicles?
Call our office at (386)329-0282 or visit an office and speak with a Client Relations Guide. Please have the license plate or VIN number(s) of the fleet vehicle(s) ready for reference.

What if I no longer own a fleet vehicle for which I was sent a registration renewal notice?
If you no longer own a fleet vehicle that you received a renewal notice for, please return the notice with a completed Notice of Sale (Form HSMV 82050).

More questions? Please feel free to contact us at (386)329-0282.

Putnam County Tax Collector