The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Appropriations
BILL: SB 1582
INTRODUCER: Senator Harrell
SUBJECT: Commercial Motor Vehicle Registration
DATE: February 25, 2022 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Price Vickers TR Favorable
2. Wells Hrdlicka ATD Recommend: Favorable
3. Wells Sadberry AP Favorable
I. Summary:
SB 1582 addresses the issuance of license plates and cab cards for commercial motor vehicles
registered in accordance with the International Registration Plan (apportioned vehicles).
Currently apportioned vehicles are issued an annual license plate and a cab card denoting the
declared vehicle weight for each apportioned jurisdiction in which the vehicle is authorized to
operate. Beginning January 1, 2024, the bill requires apportioned vehicles to be issued a license
plate for a 3-year period, at which time the plate must be replaced upon renewal.
Under the bill, the cab card still must be renewed annually. The existing $28 fee still applies, but
payment of the fee is triggered solely by annual issuance of the cab card, rather than by annual
issuance of both the license plate and the cab card.
The bill also authorizes the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to
replace a damaged or worn license plate at no cost to an applicant surrendering the current
license plate.
The bill presents no apparent fiscal impact.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Generally, current law requires the DHSMV, upon receipt of an application and payment of the
appropriate fees, to issue to a vehicle owner or lessee a certificate of registration and a license
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plate.1 Registration license plates are issued for a 10-year period and must be replaced upon
renewal at the end of the 10-year period. The fee for plate replacement is $28, and such fees must
be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. A validation sticker must also be
issued, reflecting the owner’s birth month, license plate number, and the year of expiration, or
the appropriate renewal period if the owner is not a natural person.2
However, a commercial motor vehicle3 registered in accordance with the International
Registration Plan,4 also known as “apportioned vehicles,” must be issued an annual license plate,
as well as a cab card denoting the declared gross vehicle weight for each apportioned jurisdiction
in which the vehicle is authorized to operate.5 The $28 plate renewal fee is paid upon initial
registration and then annually upon subsequent renewal.
Industry representatives have described difficulties associated with annual replacement of
apportioned vehicle license plates:
[The] IRP plates must be physically changed each year on the truck. This
process is onerous on carriers who have several hundred registered
vehicles across the country. [The] proposal would still require the annual
registration (and maintain all existing fees paid annually)…6
A license plate that is damaged or defaced may be required to be replaced. The
registrant applies to the DHSMV for a replacement plate and pays a $28 fee,
which is deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.7
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill amends s. 320.06(1)(b), F.S., to allow apportioned vehicles to be issued a license plate
for a 3-year period, instead of the current annual issuance, beginning January 1, 2024. The plate
must be replaced upon renewal at the end of the 3-year period and, as under current law, each
plate must include a validation sticker reflecting the month of expiration of the plate. The current
1
Section 320.06(1)(a), F.S. See s. 320.0706, F.S., for license plate display requirements for commercial trucks with a gross
vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more and for dump trucks and truck tractors.
2
Section 320.06(1)(b)1., F.S. Renewed based on registration periods and renewal periods established in current law. See
s. 320.055, F.S.
3
Defined in s. 320.01(25), F.S., for purposes of vehicle registration as any vehicle 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.
4
Section 320.0715(1), F.S., requires all apportionable vehicles domiciled in this state to be registered in accordance with the
International Registration Plan and to display license plates. The International Registration Plan (IRP) is “a reciprocal
agreement, meaning that when the vehicle is registered in the jurisdiction where the motor carrier is based, the registration is
valid in all the other IRP member jurisdictions. Additionally, the IRP registration is ‘apportioned’ because the fees paid to the
base jurisdiction are divided among all the member jurisdictions in which the vehicle(s) operated. IRP member jurisdictions
are the lower 48 states, the District of Columbia, and the 10 Canadian provinces.”DHSMV, Commercial Motor Vehicle
Drivers, International Registration Plan, available at https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/commercial-motor-
vehicle-drivers/international-registration-plan/ (last visited January 28, 2022).
5
Section 320.06(1)(b)1., F.S.
6
See email to Senate Transportation Committee staff, October 25, 2021 (on file in the Senate Transportation Committee).
7
Section 320.0607, F.S.
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requirement for the issuance of annual license plates to apportioned vehicles expires on
December 31, 2023.
Under the bill, the cab card still must be renewed annually. The existing $28 fee still applies, but
payment of the fee is triggered solely by annual issuance of the cab card, rather than by annual
issuance of both the license plate and the cab card. The fee also continues to be deposited into
the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.
Lastly, the bill provides that if the license plate is damaged or worn, the plate may be replaced at
no charge by applying to the DHSMV and surrendering the current plate.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
Article VII, s. 19 of the Florida Constitution prohibits the imposition or authorization of a
new state tax or fee except through legislation approved by two-thirds of the membership
of each house of the legislature and approval by the Governor. If the bill imposes a new
fee, a two-thirds vote of the membership of each house may be required.
As noted, payment of the $28 fee under the bill is triggered solely by annual issuance of
the cab card, rather than by annual issuance of both the license plate and the cab card.
The applicant pays the same fee under current law as under the bill; thus, the bill does not
appear to impose a new fee.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
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B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
None. The provisions of the bill changing how long an apportioned vehicle’s license plate
is valid do not apply until January 1, 2024. The $28 renewal fee continues to be required
with the issuance of the renewed cab card. There may be some minimal cost savings
related to manufacture and mailing of plates as apportioned vehicles transition to the
3-year plate renewal period and there may be minimal costs related to replacement of
damaged plates at no cost to the registrant.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends section 320.06 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.


Statutes affected:
S 1582 Filed: 320.06