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DRIVERS could face an instant fee of $60 for changing their license plates – and police are cracking down on the rule.
The Florida Highway Patrol has issued a warning to drivers with altered plates as the customizations could cost them.
State troopers are cracking down on altered license plates in Florida[/caption]
Citations for customized license plates have increased by 98% in the past four years[/caption]
The state prohibits driving on a public road with license plates that are airbrushed, vinyl-wrapped, or customized in any way.
The alterations are illegal because troopers said the changes can affect the plate’s reflectivity, safety features, and the yellow validation stickers.
Tag alterations are popular throughout Florida, and the FHP said troopers are being “proactive” in warning drivers about the law.
“This is to ensure that individuals who may not realize they are breaking the law by altering their tags are informed,” officials said.
CITATIONS SKYROCKET
Since 2020, the citations for these violations have gone up by 98%.
The penalties include a $60 fine, three points on the driver’s license, and additional fees depending on the county.
“If you are pulled over and have an illegally wrapped license plate, you will receive a fine and points on your license,” the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office warned in a Facebook post.
If the Florida tag has been changed so much that it can’t return to its original condition, the driver must get a replacement plate from their local tax collector.
Troopers can also confiscate altered plates, which would require the owner to apply for new plate.
HOW TO GET A SPECIALTY PLATE
For those looking for unique tags, Florida offers over 100 specialty license plates for different organizations.
Purchasing specialty plates gives money to the causes that they represent.
Plus, drivers can order personalized license plates in person at certain service centers.
It’s decorating a plate unofficially that could lead to the penalties.
“It is illegal to alter the original appearance or obscure license plates, or alter motor vehicle registration certificates, temporary license plates, validation stickers, or mobile home stickers,” the law said.
What does the law say?
Driving on a public roadway with customized license plates is illegal in Florida.
Florida Statues Section 320.061 prohibits the unlawful altering of a license plate.
The law states that altering or obscuring the following items is illegal:
- Motor vehicle registration certificates
- License plates
- Temporary license plates
- Mobile home stickers
- Validation stickers
Drivers cannot mutilate, alter, deface, or change the color of the plate in any way.
You can also not apply or attach the following to the license plate:
- Substance
- Reflective matter
- Illuminated device
- Spray
- Coating
- Covering
- Other material interfering with the legibility, angular visibility, or detectability of the license plate
Nothing should interfere with the ability to record any feature or detail on the plate.
“A person who violates this section commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318,” the law states.
The penalties for the violations include a $60 fine, three points on the driver’s license, and additional county fees.
“A person cannot apply or attach a reflective, illuminated, spray, coating, or covering onto a license plate with interferes with the visibility or detectability of the license plate features.”
GHOST PLATES
Those looking for more information about specialty license plates can visit the state’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Meanwhile, New York City is cracking down on drivers as they’re warned of a $200 fine for evading tolls.
Drivers in the major city have been finding ways to make their plates invisible to cameras as they pass through toll lanes and bridges.
Mark Levine, the president of the Manhattan Borough, conducted a study that revealed that the “ghost plates,” or obscured plates, cost the city about $200 million each year.
The study also showed that drivers with ghost plates drive through speed and red light cameras about 100,000 times per month.
