Pandemic Impacts Specialty License Plate Sales in Florida - Michael Towner

​Prior to 2009, specialty license plate sales increased every year, despite the economic recession. On October 1, 2009, the Florida State Legislature significantly increased vehicle registration fees, particularly with respect to purchasing specialty license plates. In 2009, annual sales of Florida Specialty License Plates amounted to 1,623,486. As a direct result of those increases fees, there was a subsequent 19.78% decline in Specialty Plate sales, reflecting approximately $7 million lost in annual revenue. 
In September, 2013, the Florida Legislature reduced some fees associated with vehicle registrations, however, did not address the significant increase in the cost to purchase a new specialty license plate that was imposed in 2009. Despite the increase in fees, specialty plates have had begun to get back to the 2008 numbers. 
However, according to the latest statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,  1,382,959 specialty license plates were sold in CY 2020, this is 8.1% (121,997) lower than the total specialty license plates that were sold in CY 2019 (1,504,956). Revenue fell to $32,149,618.00 for CY2020 from $34,898,976.00 in CY 2019. A loss of $2,749,358.00 (7.9%). 
Biennial fees (2 year registrations) were also down in 2020, falling to $6,198,728.00, compared to $6,494,715.00. A loss of $295,987.00 (4.6%).
The 1,382,959 specialty plates represent 8.2% of the 16,844,969 Florida registered vehicles.
In CY2020, 183,906 new plates were issued and 1,199,053 were renewed. In CY2019, 212,911 new plates were issued and 1,292,045 were renewed.

Endless Summer, designed by Michael Towner and Steve Diossy, has now surpassed the University of Florida as the top selling specialty license plate in Florida, notwithstanding generating slightly less revenue this year compared to 2019. 
Miami Heat and Tampa Bay Bucs both increased their sales and revenue in 2020, the only two specialty plates to do so in the Top 10.
10,193 Presale Vouchers were sold in 2020, representing $336,369.00 total revenue, with $254,825.00 of those fees to be distributed to the presale voucher organizations, provided they complete their presales goal within two years of October 16th, 2020.

​So far in the 2021 Florida State Legislative Session, 5 new specialty plates have been proposed and bills have been filed for the following:
Explore our State Parks - Rep Allison Tant (D-Leon County) / Senator Dennis Baxley R-Lady Lake
Inter Miami CF - Senator Manny Diaz (R-Hialeah Gardens)
Toastmasters - Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando)
Gopher Tortoise - Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando)
Orlando United - Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando)

---