[LARC-CQ] FL license plate renewal - ham callsign

[Ed Marchese]

 OK.  Amateur radio license plate renewal issue resolved. It wasn't easy but I finally got it resolved. (took way too much time.)
I'm happy share the details. 

I received an actual follow-up phone call from a lady in the Polk County DMV call center. (there is such a place) This is the result of a 45 minute phone call with her trying to get it resolved. She even had difficulty reaching out to her internal contact at DMV HQ Talahassee. 
Originally she was quoted $150 for renewal. Talahassee eventually figured out that "something" was wrong with that amount. I'd like to hear how much others have paid.
Here's my experience. Hope it is useful for others.73,Ed DE N2TE QRT
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~ The process of renewing an amateur radio license plate at the 10-year mark is NOT the same as normally renewing your vehicle registration during years 2-9 because a "replacement" license plate has to be "ordered". Thus, you can NOT renew online at the 10-year mark. You MUST physically go into a DMV office ... so they tell you on the website. (obviously, not entirely true.)  I guess I got lucky as I was able to payover the phone with a woman from the Polk County DMV call-center office who called me back. She offered to take care of it on the phone for me. She was a big help, obviously.
~ The registration renewal cost for my pickup truck, based on the vehicle weight, was $98.00.    The replacement "ordering fee" was $16.10.    The credit card fee was $2.85.
~After you pay for "renewal" and "ordering", the Polk County DMV local office will mail you an updated "renewal" yellow decal that will displayyour 2026 renewal status. (5-26 in my case) This renewed 5-26 decal will be placed on the "soon-to-be" discarded license plate that is CURRENTLY on my vehicle. 

~ In about 8-10 weeks (+/-) you will received a brand spanking new shiny amateur radio license plate from the state office. The new license plate will then replace the existing "old" plate. AND ... in addition to the new plate, they will also include another identical 5-26 yellow decal expiration sticker that will be placed on the new replacement license plate that you will install on your vehicle. Old plate off, new plate on. 

~ FL DMV does NOT publish this detailed process information on their website for the general public. (I guess it's 'secret' .. LOL)
~ FL DMV does NOT publish the associated costs for the process of renewing and ordering a replacement amateur radio plate. 

~ Depending on WHO you speak with at DMV you are likely to get a different answer regarding both the process and the costs. (I did.)
~ The DMV agent at the Polk County DMV call-center said that the reason that she had NO IDEA how to do this renewal is because "we don't do a lot of these amateur radio license plates. Therefore we're not familiar with the procedure details and the associate costs. 

~ It is NOT necessary to fill out another application form to "apply" for a "vanity/personalized" license plate. When I first called early this morning, I was initially told that I had to fill out a whole new form. I filled out NOTHING as this was all done over the phone with the lady who was helping me. 

~ THEY HAVE NO CLUE.


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