>> COPS ARE BEING REALLY SENSITIVE ABOUT IT. I THINK IT’S JUST LIKE ANOTHER EXCUSE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PULL PEOPLE OVER. IT’S A DEBATE OVER YOUR LICENSE PLATE. THE NEW STATE LAW REGARDING LICENSE PLATE COVERS IS CAUSING SOME CONFUSION. >> IN FACT, A MAN IN MIAMI WAS JUST WRONGFULLY ARRESTED FOR THIS TODAY. GULF COAST IS REPORTER ALEXA VELEZ IS GETTING YOU THE FACTS OF WHAT’S LEGAL WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR LICENSE PLATE. >> THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT’S ACTUALLY LEGAL WHEN IT COMES TO LICENSE PLATE FRAMES AND COVERS FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES SAYS A LICENSE PLATE FRAME LIKE THIS IS LEGAL. YOU JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ALPHANUMERIC CHARACTERS AND THE REGISTRATION D-CONN THE TOP CORNER ARE FULLY VISIBLE. NOW THE WORDS ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM CAN BE COVERED AS LONG AS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN IDENTIFY THE STATE IN WHICH YOUR PLATE WAS REGISTERED IN. >> IT’S NOT ACTUALLY KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE OR JUST MAKING IT EASIER TO CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE. THE FLORIDA LAW THAT TOOK EFFECT OCTOBER FIRST INCREASES PENALTIES FOR USING LICENSE PLATE OBSCURING DEVICES, THE LAW TARGETS ANYTHING THAT BLOCKS DISTORTS OR INTERFERES WITH READING OR RECORDING A LICENSE PLATE, INCLUDING DEVICES DESIGNED TO AVOID TOLLS OR TRAFFIC CAMERAS SINCE THE LAW WENT TO EFFECT SPREAD ONLINE WITH SOME DRIVERS JUST REMOVING THEIR LICENSE PLATE FRAMES COMPLETELY TO CLEAR UP THAT CONFUSION, FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES SENT THIS E-MAIL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE ALONG WITH THIS PHOTO SHOWING WHAT IS ALLOWED ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY LICENSE PLATE FRAMES ARE LEGAL AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE PLATE NUMBER REGISTRATION DECAL OR THE ABILITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO IDENTIFY THE STATE. WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED IS ANY DEVICE SPRAY COATING OR REFLECTIVE MATERIAL THAT MAKES A LICENSE PLATE HARD TO READ OR RECORD. I THINK AS LONG AS THE TAG IS IS VISIBLE AND YOU KNOW THE NUMBERS STUFF THAT THE CUBS USED TO RUN ON THE COMPUTERS, I THINK. THAT’S FINE. IT’S CAUSING A LOT OF CONFUSION AND JUST ANGER. AND I THINK THE BIGGEST ISSUE WITH THAT IS THAT IT’S JUST BEING USED AS AN EXCUSE TO PULL PEOPLE OVER MORE EASILY AND THEN >> CRIMINALIZE THEM FOR, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER POLICE CAN FIND IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS, I WOULD SAY JUST TAKE IT OFF BECAUSE IF YOU GET CAUGHT WITH ANYTHING, OBSTRUCTING YOUR PLATE. >> YOU COULD FACE UP TO A $500 FINE OR 60 DAYS IN JAIL

A Florida law aimed at stopping drivers from obscuring their license plates is causing confusion statewide, especially when it comes to license plate frames.The law, which took effect Oct. 1, increases penalties for using license plate obscuring devices. It targets anything that blocks, distorts or interferes with the ability to read or record a license plate, including devices designed to avoid toll or traffic cameras.Since the law went into effect, many drivers have taken to social media questioning whether their license plate frames or covers are legal. Some say they have removed their frames altogether.The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says license plate frames are still allowed, as long as certain requirements are met.According to the agency, the alphanumeric characters on the plate, the registration decal in the corner, and the state that issued the plate must all be clearly visible. Frames or covers may partially block words at the top or bottom of the plate, as long as law enforcement can still identify the plate and where it was issued.What is not allowed includes sprays, coatings, reflective materials or devices that make a license plate harder to read or record. That includes flip plates, switchable plates or any device meant to interfere with cameras.Some drivers say the law is creating more confusion than clarity.”I think it’s causing a lot of confusion,” said Kevin, a local driver. “It’s not actually keeping people safer, just making it easier to criminalize people.”Under the law, drivers caught with an illegal obstruction on their license plate could face a second-degree misdemeanor. That carries a penalty of up to a $500 fine or up to 60 days in jail. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

NAPLES, Fla. —

A Florida law aimed at stopping drivers from obscuring their license plates is causing confusion statewide, especially when it comes to license plate frames.

The law, which took effect Oct. 1, increases penalties for using license plate obscuring devices. It targets anything that blocks, distorts or interferes with the ability to read or record a license plate, including devices designed to avoid toll or traffic cameras.

Since the law went into effect, many drivers have taken to social media questioning whether their license plate frames or covers are legal. Some say they have removed their frames altogether.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says license plate frames are still allowed, as long as certain requirements are met.

According to the agency, the alphanumeric characters on the plate, the registration decal in the corner, and the state that issued the plate must all be clearly visible. Frames or covers may partially block words at the top or bottom of the plate, as long as law enforcement can still identify the plate and where it was issued.

What is not allowed includes sprays, coatings, reflective materials or devices that make a license plate harder to read or record. That includes flip plates, switchable plates or any device meant to interfere with cameras.

Some drivers say the law is creating more confusion than clarity.

“I think it’s causing a lot of confusion,” said Kevin, a local driver. “It’s not actually keeping people safer, just making it easier to criminalize people.”

Under the law, drivers caught with an illegal obstruction on their license plate could face a second-degree misdemeanor. That carries a penalty of up to a $500 fine or up to 60 days in jail.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.