TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/WCJB) – Covering your license plate in Florida is now considered a second-degree misdemeanor.
The law went into effect in October and was signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 19.
The new law sets new penalties for people who have coatings, covers or devices designed to shield their license plates from traffic cameras and toll cameras.
The second-degree misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to a $500 fine, up to 60 days in jail, or both, meaning you’d have to appear in court.
But the law itself isn’t new. It used to only be a non-criminal traffic infraction.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles sent a memo to all law enforcement agencies on Dec. 12 regarding the new law.
Tallahassee Police are now weighing in on the new guidelines.
TPD Detective Michael Carter said having an unobstructed license plate helps law enforcement solve crimes.
“Let’s say you were involved in a hit-and-run — we may potentially be able to use that plate to get a lead to get a direction to start looking,” Carter said. “But if someone is actively avoiding or putting something on their plate so it’s not readable, where it can’t be detected, that’s hurting you, that’s hurting me, that’s hurting everyone.”
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