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YOM = Year Of Manufacture. You can use an original plate from the correct year for your car when it was new. I have an original 1970-1971 plate that I want to use. To get it registered, I have to send it to Tallahassee and then they inspect it, register it, and send it back. Then it is permanently associated with the car.
HOWEVER, there is nowhere online that says what the fees are that are supposed to be sent in with the plate to get this whole process started. I have the RS-25 Division of Procedure Motorist Services manual that has the instructions for doing this. Unfortunately, the section about fees only says, "...payment of the applicable fees." And the actual fee amounts are nowhere to be found in the document.
Then nowhere in the document is the actual fee schedule for this particular application. Just checking to see if anyone has done this recently and how much I am supposed to send in.
Like several other states, you need to carefully determine what qualifies as a YOM plate. In North Carolina, YOM plates are "specifically" called out in the DMV documentation; appears, this is NOT the case for Florida. However, I've read a number of DMV registration criteria and I'll note (below) how Florida makes use of the YOM. Find this paragraph on page 3 of 13 and it states what documentation must be submitted. Hope this helps.
"Requirements For Authentication Of A License Plate
Authenticated license plates may be issued to any vehicle manufactured in 1975 or earlier. The license plate must be the same year as the model year of the car or truck. The license plate will be approved for issuance by the department as an authenticated license plate if the license plate has not been refurbished in any way and is still legible for law enforcement purposes. Authenticated license plates may only be issued to cars, motorcycles, and pickups weighing 5,000 pounds or less.
The documentation listed below must be submitted by the applicant to the following address for authentication:"
The $225 Initial Registration Fee must be paid when the owner does not have a license plate or record of a license plate registered in their name for a vehicle he or she previously owned (in Florida), to transfer to a newly acquired vehicle. An initial registration must take place in personat a local service center at the time of titling by submitting the following;
Norm, thanks for getting into the fray here. However, I have already researched all the things you posted above.
The $225 initial fee is waived for vehicles 30 years and older.
The fees are not on that link to "Registration Fees" for the YOM plate. It's not on that list. I have already seen that list.
I am in and out of that local Palm Bay DMV/Tax office all the time with daughter's and wife's and all of my vehicles all the time. They have sort of gotten to know me. They also didn't know what the fees were. They said I would have to contact Tallahassee. That's why I am hoping someone on here has done it relatively recently in Florida.
And Pete is right. I have only had good experiences at the Florida DMV/Tax offices in Florida. And I have gone A LOT. This is in STARK contrast to the miserable people working at the ones in Maryland.
Also, I have been all over the FLHSMV site. I cannot find the fees for YOM plates. If someone sees it or has done it recently, we, in Florida, will appreciate the help!
My old man did it years ago. FL is weird, you sent the plate to Tallahassee and they inspect it and send it back and that is your plate forever. Indiana uses a "you still get a real tag, display your old one, registration says both numbers" system. I do not know what the fee is. I think Tallahassee must be called or emailed. I would call the minute they open on a given day.
Joe - I was just trying to provide some additional avenues (websites) you may have missed. I know you're excellent in doing your own research, yet sometimes the annoying nuances can be missed. Historically I've found YOM registration and plates vary significantly not only by state but also the local registration authority. It's not really your everyday plate/vehicle registration for many of these local offices so the employees are often caught off-guard. I've had YOM plates in both California and North Carolina but resided in Florida 5+ years. Good Luck!
I have found some postings on other automotive forums about this in Fla, but no one has posted the actual fees they paid. Or, that is, if they have, it was years and years ago and the YOM fee has definitely gone up since then. I did see that I could send in excess money and the overage would be refunded. Now, to figure out a good number that is high enough to cover it, but not so high that it's ridiculously high. I think I'll just take the older number and double it. It used to be $50 for just the YOM thing by itself like 10 years ago. Then, a new registration fee currently for 2024-2025 ($22.00) and license plate shipping ($5.45). If the YOM transaction alone has gone up, maybe doubling it will be safe. So, I am thinking of sending in $127.45 and hoping that is enough and if too much, they will send back the difference. If not enough, they will let me know.
Joe - I was just trying to provide some additional avenues (websites) you may have missed. I know you're excellent in doing your own research, yet sometimes the annoying nuances can be missed. Historically I've found YOM registration and plates vary significantly not only by state but also the local registration authority. It's not really your everyday plate/vehicle registration for many of these local offices so the employees are often caught off-guard. I've had YOM plates in both California and North Carolina but resided in Florida 5+ years. Good Luck!
Sorry Norm, I didn't mean to sound unappreciative. Thanks for the input!
Are you still in Florida or was that 5+ years at some other time in the past?
My old man did it years ago. FL is weird, you sent the plate to Tallahassee and they inspect it and send it back and that is your plate forever. Indiana uses a "you still get a real tag, display your old one, registration says both numbers" system. I do not know what the fee is. I think Tallahassee must be called or emailed. I would call the minute they open on a given day.
North Carolina has private (plate) licensing/registration agencies which work in cahoots w/ the DMV. Here, you find a YOM plate, depends then on how you register your car (of all things) - Antique? Classic? Everyday Driver, etc. - sorta crazy. I registered my '71 CS convertible as Everyday Driver with YOM plate - not Antique or Classic. I had to buy a new license plate and keep that currently issued license plate in the motor vehicle at all times and update the renewal of that license plate each year - even though I was allowed to use a YOM plate. California was/sounds similar to Florida. But that was even further back when I was in the service in the early 1970s w/ a YOM plate for a 1953 GMC truck.
Not sure about Florida, but for Alabama, I ordered a replica 1970 Alabama license plate from a vendor that recreates license plates. I went online, reserved my desired numerals with the DMV. Then took that plate to my nearest DMV and they inspected the plate, then registered my 70-442 with that plate. Assigned it Antique status, so that plate stays with the vehicle as long as it remains in the state. Never have to get new stickers annually again. I think part of the agreement is you are not supposed to exceed 3000 miles per year on the odometer, I think...that was almost 15 yrs ago.
Last edited by capstoneclub; Jul 12, 2024 at 09:01 PM.
Wow, it's strange they don't tell you how much your registration is for YOM plates.
For whatever reason, I kept my 85 442's original plate when I first registered it.
But- don't come to SC for YOM plates. They have a "restricted" list of numbers you can use, and it's pretty crappy. If I read it right, I can't even use the plate I put on the car new in 1985. You think it WOULD be allowed. But I'm not sure. Haven't pursued it. But I will. Sometime in the 80s they went to multi-year use plates so that just adds to the confusion.
I have done it on 2 cars. The local DMV offices have no info about this process, don’t waste you time going to them. I would first go to the FL DMV website and you can enter the plate number you want to use to make sure it isn’t already being used. It is a pretty easy process, Download the form and fill it out. Send the plate, the form and I usually send a check for $60 to the Tallahassee address. That $60 covers the fees and the return postage. I think they want you to send it registered mail (verify on the YOM site). If there is any “leftover” money left (of the $60), you will be sent a check about a week after you get your plate back. I have received the plates back from Tallahassee (did one in 2018 and other in 2023) about 2-4 weeks after I sent them. Pretty easy process. BTW, I grew up in Orlando and both of my plates (my 69 cutlass and my 68 camaro) are 7 county codes (Orange county). One of the things that make me smile when I see them.
To whom did you make the check out? Do I put my local tax office name or do I write it out to FLHSMV? I can't find anything that tells me the answer to that.
Sent it off today. 130fe sent me the info (thanks buddy!). Checks get made out to "Florida Dept. of Motor Vehicles." Crossing fingers that there are no mishaps along the way. I have a tracking number, so at least I'll know when it gets there.
I'm approved! I haven't received the plate back yet, but the check cashed and now the plate that's assigned to the car (on my DMV portal) is the YOM plate!
Can't wait to get the plate back and put it on for good.
Here is a pic from before I sent it off for authentication.
Definitely something to say for plates you never have to take off or sticker. My grandfather kept all his takeoff plates, his Monte Carlo now has its original plate on it again. His even have the month sticker that went next to the stamped year so, together, it would say the expiration date. As an added benefit, a lot of toll cameras can't figure them out. My H/O is still wanted by the Chicago Transit Authority for not paying tolls; they can't find who owns it.
As an added benefit, a lot of toll cameras can't figure them out. My H/O is still wanted by the Chicago Transit Authority for not paying tolls; they can't find who owns it.
Like her diamond watch had stopped cold dead...does anybody really care.
I don't think they do. The Masino Bros told me that a certain amount of infractions are written off. I actually called them because I forgot to pay, and I couldn't because I needed an infraction number, and I never got one. After 30 min on hold while at work so I could do other things, a woman with enough sass to be Aretha in her Blues Brothers role informed me "You jess wait, sonny, we get to ev-ree-bud-hee, we just backlogged. We get you, then you jess follow the instrucshuns."
So I thanked her and hung up. Aretha hasn't sent me anything yet.
Definitely something to say for plates you never have to take off or sticker.
The pic I have above is before I sent it to Tallahassee. After they get it, authenticate it, then prepare to send it back, they put a sticker on it. When I receive it (hopefully in the next few days), it will have a sticker that I have to do every two years. Not too obtrusive, though. Still will look cool...
Last edited by rfpowerdude; Aug 15, 2024 at 01:37 PM.
Yes! Thanks a bunch, Chris, I appreciate your help! I’ll write this all up in a concise post maybe we can have stickied for future reference for others in Fla. When I get my refunded overage and receipt, I’ll know the exact cost and can include that in the write-up.
Ok, found out that for one year of registration (new sticker) and the YOM authentication, it was $42.25. I sent $100 and got $57.75 back. They didn't send an itemized receipt so I don't know exactly what was what. I know that a year registration for a classic/antique is $7.50. They were to also take shipping the plate back to me out of the total. It came FedEx, but I don't know how much it was.
So, it looks like $7.50 to register (https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/#mvfees) and $34.75 to authenticate and ship back. The shipping amount may be a moving target, so it doesn't look like the exact amount can be predicted at any given time.
Ok, found out that for one year of registration (new sticker) and the YOM authentication, it was $42.25. I sent $100 and got $57.75 back. They didn't send an itemized receipt so I don't know exactly what was what. I know that a year registration for a classic/antique is $7.50. They were to also take shipping the plate back to me out of the total. It came FedEx, but I don't know how much it was.
So, it looks like $7.50 to register (https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/#mvfees) and $34.75 to authenticate and ship back. The shipping amount may be a moving target, so it doesn't look like the exact amount can be predicted at any given time.
So is there an annual renewal rate of 7.50 then? They the normal dmv or mail in renewal?
So is there an annual renewal rate of 7.50 then? They the normal dmv or mail in renewal?
Should be just the normal mail in at $7.50 every year plus their convenience fee of a few bucks. I am hoping I can do the normal two year thing (for $15) since all of my many registrations are due in 2025. Then I’ll have them all on the same two year cycle
Floridian between 1988-1993.
