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At the height of a recession and state budget shortfall in 2009, lawmakers raised taxes on cigarettes and vehicle registrations. The Senate passed a measure that would see at least the license plate fees coming off the books.

Florida nearly doubled the cost of registering a car during the recession. Now Florida’s Senate has unanimously voted to roll back license plate fees to pre 2009 levels.

“The reductions that will take effect through this bill will go to families that get up every day, take their kids to school, and drive their truck to work,” said bill sponsor Sen. Joe Negron (R-Stuart).

Fees went up in 2009 with then Governor Charlie Christ in office.  Governor Rick Scott has made the fee rollbacks a top priority. The bill would cut $395 million dollars a year and save most drivers about $25 bucks on tag renewals.

Sen. Chris Smith/(D) Fort Lauderdale

“A couple of years ago when the economy was down, we did the responsible thing, we did the responsible thing of raising these fees so we can keep the lights on,” said Sen. Chris Smith (D-Fort Lauderdale).

The rollbacks won’t help everybody. People who need to newly register their plates in Florida won’t have their fees reduced.

First time vehicle registration prices also went up in ’09 and can cost more than $400. Senator Greg Evers supports the current bill, but says new registrations need to be cheaper.

“Did we go far enough? I think next year is another year and I don’t think we can get it in this years budget,” said Sen. Evers (R-Pensacola).

Negron agreed and said the legislature needs to look at that in the future. He also urged drivers not to wait for the bill to become a law in order to renew their tags. Fee reductions will take effect in September if the bill becomes a law.