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

Wed Apr 23 11:41:26 PDT 2025

So much information in this thread.  Thanks to all for sharing.  George
Mann KJ4UW

On Wed, Apr 23, 2025, 12:03 PM Terry Petrash via CQ <
cq at lists.lakelandarc.org> wrote:

> One other tid-bit that you might want to know.   I was told the only
> reason for getting a new plate every 10 years is to replenish the
> reflective paint material on the plate so that the automatic license plate
> readers on toll roads, intersections or other video cameras can see the
> plate better.  Other than that, there is no reason.  So, if you want to go
> "stealth", don't remove your old plate and just store the new one.
>
> 73
> Wa4byk Terry
> Plant City
>
> On Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 04:31:30 PM EDT, John Thacker via CQ <
> cq at lists.lakelandarc.org> wrote:
>
>
> Reference the pdf, I wrote this tutorial some 9 or 10 years ago before the
> Lake Wales Tax Collector Office remodeled and changed its order of
> operation. The information is now outdated.
> Thanks for understanding.
> 73
> John Thacker
> KU8Q
> Winter Haven.
>
> In a message dated 4/22/2025 7:56:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> cq at lists.lakelandarc.org writes:
>
>
> Could the license plate PDF be memorialized on the LARC website for future
> inquiries? I suspect this would be of great value to future  members who
> are new hams. 73 de George KJ4UW
>
> On Mon, Apr 21, 2025, 3:27 PM Matt NJ4Y via CQ <cq at lists.lakelandarc.org>
> wrote:
>
> The plate type code is RGA. I had to mention that to the clerk when I got
> mine, she was also just trying to process it as a vanity plate.
>
> LWRA has a handy guide
>
> [image: preview.png]
>
> Call-sign-license-plate
> PDF Document · 25 KB
> <https://lwra.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Call-sign-license-plate.pdf>
>
>
> 73, matt nj4y
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 22, 2025, at 04:57, Ed Marchese via CQ <cq at lists.lakelandarc.org>
> wrote:
>
>
> 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
>
>  ========================
>
> ~ 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 pay over 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 display your 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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