New specialty plate issues/sales, which drive the ongoing renewal revenue usually for 10 years, dropped significantly in March 2020 by 31%, from 18,362 to 12,701, compared to March, 2019. The estimated impact of a 31% drop in new specialty license plate sales in March, 2020  amounts to an impact of approximately $1,415,250.00 over the next 10 years.
New specialty plates cannot be ordered or issued through GoRenew or the new App (‘MyFlorida’ - available from the DMV on Google Play and the Apple App Store). Another good reason why the DMV should finally consider adding ordering specialty plates to their recently revamped and “much improved portal”, which came at a significant cost.
Sales and total revenue for specialty plates has already indicated a downward turn with the closing of DMV offices and some Tax Collectors offices to the public in the last week of the month of March.
Total revenue from the sale of Specialty License Plates for the month of March, 2020 dropped 8% to $2,459,767.00 compared to $2,674,503.00 in March 2019. 

The top 5 specialty plates also saw a decline in sales, except for the newly designed Miami Heat plate, which increased from $92,550.00 to $93,200, but new Heat plate sales dropped from 1,169 to 976.

UF saw a drop of $13,000.00 from $161,175.00 to $148,175.00; Helping Sea Turtles dropped $10,511.00 from $143,014 to $132,503.00; FSU dropped $12,650.00 from $126,175.00 to $113,525.00; and even Endless Summer recorded a first downturn in revenue showing a $10,150.00 drop from $156,400.00 to $146,250.00, comparing March 2020 to March 2019.​​

​Other plates that saw significant reductions in revenue comparing March 2020 to March 2019 were:
Protect the Panther -$10,525.00
Protect Wild Dolphins -$8,460.00
Save the Manatee -$6,450.00
USF -$6,225.00
Save our Seas -$5,800.00
Tampa Bay Bucs -$5,175.00
End Beast Cancer -$5,150.00
Protect our Reefs -$4,700.00
Marine Corps -$4,680.00
Golf Capital of the World -$4,350.00
Florida A&M -$4,150.00
Aquaculture -$4,050.00

Plates that saw an increase in revenue for March 2020 compared to March 2019 along with Miami Heat were Animal Friend, FIU, Jacksonville U, Nova Southeastern, State Wildflower, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Trees are Cool. Visit our Lights saw a 23% increase in revenue and the newly designed Miami Marlins saw a 33% increase in revenue.
​Interestingly, the plates that had redesigned in the past year were among those who saw increases in revenue.

Parents Make a Difference saw a 54% decline in total revenue for March, 2020 compared to March, 2019; USF saw a 22% decline; Aquaculture dropped $16%; Police Athletic League dropped 15%; End Breast Cancer dropped 14%; Protect Florida Whales dropped 13%; Choose Life dropped 12%; United We Stand dropped 12%; Challenger/Columbia dropped 11% and Protect Wild Dolphins dropped 10.9%.

​For new plate sales/issues, even Endless Summer new issues/sales dropped 33%; Laurens Kids dropped 50%; Save our Seas dropped 44%; Challenger/Columbia dropped 43%; Discover Florida’s Oceans dropped 42%, Protect Wild Dolphins dropped 41%; Choose Life dropped 38%; Protect Florida Whales dropped 35%; Golf Capital of the World dropped 35%; Helping Sea Turtles Survive dropped 34%; Fish Florida dropped 33%.
Palm Beach Atlantic University and Warner Southern College both sold no plates in March 2020, and in March 2019.

At the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, FLHSMV has extended all Florida driver licenses and identification cards that will expire between March 16 and April 30. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an order today directing Floridians to stay at home for 30 days to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
The order, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 3, 2020, contains two key elements:
 - Seniors and people with significant underlying medical conditions “shall stay at home and take all measures to limit the risk for exposure to COVID-19,” the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
 - Everyone else “shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.”
Florida now joins more than 30 states that are under a "stay-at-home" order. 
​Florida is at just under 7,000 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday morning. The death toll is at 87.
Considered essential workers: healthcare providers, law enforcement, restaurant, grocery store and gas station employees, bankers, reporters, bus drivers and technicians, taxis and truck drivers.
Considered essential activities: Going to church and participating in recreational activities like hiking, swimming and fishing while following social distance guidelines. You are still able to grocery shop and get gas.
The order says public gatherings of 10 people or more is not essential and it’s up to local authorities to police this.
DeSantis said he spoke to President Trump and cited the national guidelines that extended the stay-at-home recommendations for another 30 days as a reason for taking action now.
"Although the guidelines don't call for any new action...I think it's clear it effectively represents a national pause," DeSantis said. "It makes sense to make this move now."