Tom Brady License Plate Discontinued in Florida
NFL legend Tom Brady had delivered a Super Bowl win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so it made sense a specialty license plate sporting his image would gain popularity. Having made a successful run at a required 3,000 preorders, the Best Buddies license plate featuring Brady tossing a football went into production in 2023. A redesign and less than two years later, though, the tag fell victim to the state’s law that delists the specialty license plate with the lowest number of valid registrations.
Plate Discontinuation
A notification from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles indicated that as of Jan. 1, 2025, the Tom Brady license plate had only 759 registrations, leading to the decision to discontinue it as of Feb. 17. People who already have the plate can keep it for up to 10 years, but the extra $25 fee for Best Buddies International will no longer be collected.
Background and Impact
The Miami-based nonprofit, Best Buddies, dedicated to helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, initiated the license plate project. While Brady’s involvement initially spurred preorders, his retirement led to a redesign of the plate.
Several other specialty plates have met similar fates under the same law, which culls low-performing designs. The law also sets limits on the number of specialty plates available in the state and enforces registration requirements.
Latest Developments
New specialty plates like “Florida Stands With Israel,” “K-9s United,” and “Protect the Gopher Tortoise” have been recently approved. Other designs, such as “Margaritaville” and “Biscayne Bay,” are still working to meet preorder thresholds.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the Tom Brady license plate in Florida highlights the challenges faced by specialty plate programs. While some designs succeed, others struggle to maintain registrations and face removal under state law.
FAQs
Can I still keep my Tom Brady license plate?
Yes, existing owners can keep their Tom Brady license plate for up to 10 years.
What happens to the funds collected for Best Buddies International?
The annual $25 fee for the organization will no longer be collected after the plate is discontinued.
Are there any new specialty plates to look out for?
New designs like “Florida Stands With Israel,” “K-9s United,” and “Protect the Gopher Tortoise” have been approved, with others still in the preorder phase.
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