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I have a heavy truck or plan to buy a heavy truck. What are the requirements and fees?
This answer has been viewed 24169 times and was last updated on 10/18/2022.
Print this pageHeavy truck registration renewal period
Trucks, tractors, and gross vehicle weight (GVW) wreckers that weigh more than 5,000 pounds are considered heavy trucks. For heavy trucks, the customer must declare the GVW and how the vehicle will be registered. If you are stopped by law enforcement or the Department of Transportation and your truck is not properly registered, the Manatee County Tax Collector's office will not be responsible for the wrong class or GVW being declared.
Due to a change in Florida Statute 320.055 that took effect September 1, 2020, heavy trucks must be renewed in accordance with the following registration renewal periods:
- Heavy trucks with a GVW of 5,001 pounds to 7,999 pounds owned by an individual
- Annually by the first registered owner's birthday each year, or
- Biennially (every two years) by the first registered owner's birthday of the second year
- All other heavy trucks, tractors, and GVW wreckers (owned by a business, GVW greater than 7,999 pounds, owned by a business with a GVW of 5,001 pounds to 7,999 pounds, etc.)
- Annually by December 31 of each year, or
- Semi-annually by May 31 and December 31 of each year. A semi-annual registration is only available if (1) the annual license fee exceeds $100 and (2) the vehicle registration is not required to be apportioned under the International Registration Plan.
- Biennially (every two years) by December 31 of the second year. A biennial registration is only available for trucks with a net (empty) weight of 7,999 pounds or less.
If you do not enter a GVW on your renewal card, your GVW will remain the same as it was for the previous year.
Fee schedule based on GVW
| GVW in pounds | Insurance requirements | Fee (does not include specialty plate fee) |
|---|---|---|
| 5,001 to 5,999 | Contact insurance agent | $72.85 |
| 6,000 to 7,999 | Contact insurance agent | $99.85 |
| 8,000 to 9,999 | Contact insurance agent | $115.10 |
| 10,000 to 14,999 | Contact insurance agent | $140.10 |
| 15,000 to 19,999 | Contact insurance agent | $199.10 |
| 20,000 to 26,000 | Contact insurance agent | $273.10 |
| 26,001 to 34,999 | $50,000 Combined Liability | $346.10 |
| 35,000 to 43,999 | $100,000 Combined Liability | $427.10 |
| 44,000 to 54,999 | $300,000 Combined Liability | $795.10 |
| 55,000 to 61,999 | $300,000 Combined Liability | $938.10 |
| 62,000 to 71,999 | $300,000 Combined Liability | $1102.10 |
| 72,000 and up | $300,000 Combined Liability | $1344.10 |
Important: A delinquent fee of $10 to $250 will be imposed on renewals received more than 10 days late.
How to calculate GVW
For heavy trucks with a net weight of more than 5,000 pounds but less than 8,000 pounds, the GVW is calculated by adding the net weight of the heavy truck and the weight of the load carried by it. This does not include a trailer.
For heavy trucks with a net weight of 8,000 pounds or more, the GVW is calculated by adding the gross weight of the heavy truck to the gross weight of the trailer coupled to it.
The GVW of a truck tractor and semi-trailer combination is calculated by adding the net weight of the truck tractor and the gross weight of the semi-trailer.
Such vehicles are coupled by means of a fifth-wheel arrangement where part of the weight of the semi-trailer and load rests on the truck tractor.
The customer must declare the GVW and how the vehicle will be registered. If you are stopped by law enforcement or the Department of Transportation and your truck is not properly registered, the Manatee County Tax Collector's office will not be responsible for the wrong class or GVW being declared.
If you do not enter a GVW on your renewal card, your GVW will remain the same as it was for the previous year.
Insurance requirements for heavy trucks, tractors and GVW wreckers
If your vehicle has a GVW in excess of 26,000 pounds or has three axles regardless of weight or is used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds GVW, you must provide proof of purchase of both of the following types of insurance coverage at the time of renewal:
- Personal Injury Protection
- Combined Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability
The minimum required coverage for the Combined Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability is:
- $50,000 per occurrence for commercial motor vehicles with a GVW of 26,001 pounds to 34,999 pounds
- $100,000 per occurrence for commercial motor vehicles with a GVW of 35,000 pounds to 43,999 pounds
- $300,000 per occurrence for commercial motor vehicles with a GVW of 44,000 pounds or more
You must submit one form of proof for each insurance type, as follows:
| Personal Injury Protection (must submit one) |
Combined Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability (must submit one) |
|---|---|
| Approved uniformed proof-of-purchase card | Policy |
| Insurance policy | Certificate of insurance |
| Insurance binder | Form E |
| Certificate of insurance | Certificate of self-insurance |
Insurance coverage for vehicles with a GVW less than 26,001 pounds remains unchanged. Please contact your insurance agent for proper coverage prior to renewal of registration.
Heavy vehicle use tax (HVUT)
Florida statute 320.02(7) provides the requirement for proof of filing, payment or exemption from federal HVUT on motor vehicles with a GVW of 55,000 pounds or more prior to registration and issuance of a regular series license plate.
This tax is collected annually by the Internal Revenue Service, and proof of payment is required when renewing a motor vehicle with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.
Proof of filing HVUT
To prove the HVUT has been paid, a photocopy of IRS Schedule 1 (Form 2290) stamped received by the IRS with a current valid date must be submitted.
Note: The GVW of the vehicle cannot exceed the GVW paid on Form 2290.
The taxing period is July 1 through June 30 of each year. The local IRS office for filing is at 5971 Cattleridge Boulevard in Sarasota. The IRS office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
When issuing a license plate for the first time (in other words, for a new purchase) on a heavy truck or tractor, proof of HVUT is not required to be submitted. The owner/registrant has 60 days from the date the vehicle is registered to file Form 2290 with the IRS.
This is a federal tax, so for vehicles coming in from out of state that are titled in the current owner's name, HVUT must be paid and Form 2290 must be submitted with the registration.
Display of license plates
If the GVW of your truck is 26,001 pounds or more, you will be issued two license plates. The license plate with the validation decal must be displayed on the front of the truck and the other plate displayed on the rear of the truck.
If the GVW of your truck is less than 26,001 pounds, display the plate on the rear of the truck. All tractors must display the license plate on the front of the tractor.
Apportioned license plates
An apportioned license plate may be issued by Motor Carrier Services in Tallahassee or through the Sunshine State Tag Agency website (also known as Sunshine State Fleet Management). For questions about large commercial trucks, call the Department of Motor Vehicles at (850) 488-6921 or contact that agency at Attn: Motor Carrier Services, Neil Kirkman Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399.
Many transactions can be completed online through the Florida Bureau of Motor Carrier Services portal.
Appointments are REQUIRED for all transactions. Appointments can only be scheduled through our online appointment system. We only serve Manatee County residents and businesses.
Not a Manatee County resident? Out-of-county residents needing to process title and/or registration transactions for vehicles, boats, and mobile homes can only be served at First Manatee South County Tag Agency, located at 5756 14th Street West, Bradenton. For information, fee/service charges, hours of operation, holiday closures and to make an appointment (not required) visit: https://www.autotagagency.net/locations/florida/manatee-county/first-manatee-south-county-tag-agency-bradenton/.
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