New Florida law brings tougher penalties for obscured license plates
TRAVEL PERIOD. AND IF YOU PLAN ON HITTING THE ROAD FOR THE HOLIDAY, DRIVERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE STATE’S NEW LAW REGARDING LICENSE PLATES AT WESH 2’S. TONY ATKINS IS LIVE TONIGHT IN TONY. THE NEW LAW REQUIRES PLATES TO BE IN CLEAR VIEW. YEAH. JESSE. SO THIS NEW LAW INTRODUCES TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR ANY OBSTRUCTION OF A LICENSE PLATE HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, FOR EXAMPLE, RIGHT HERE, INNOCENT ENOUGH. WE SEE THESE ALL THE TIME FROM CAR DEALERSHIPS. YOU CAN SEE THE PART WHERE FLORIDA’S CUT OFF AT THE TOP. SUNSHINE STATES CUT OFF AT THE BOTTOM. THAT COULD GET YOU IN A LITTLE TROUBLE AS WELL. OR I PERSONALLY USED TO USE THIS AND OTHER STATES, IF YOU USE THIS WITH THE TINT THAT’S CONSIDERED OBSTRUCTING THE LICENSE PLATE, THE VIEW OF THE PLATE, AND THAT COULD GET YOU A FIRST DEGREE MISDEMEANOR OR EVEN A FINE ON FLORIDA’S OPEN ROADS, LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WANT TO SEE CLEAR, UNOBSTRUCTED LICENSE PLATES. SINCE OCTOBER 1ST, THIS LAW HAS BEEN IN EFFECT, MAKING IT ILLEGAL TO OBSTRUCT ANY PART OF A LICENSE PLATE. DOING SO COULD LEAD TO A TRAFFIC INFRACTION OR A MISDEMEANOR. GOING THROUGH THE TOLLS. RED LIGHT CAMERAS. THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS WHERE THEY GOT TO READ THE PLATE. STEVE BOWIE, A LOCAL DRIVING INSTRUCTOR, SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE NEW LAW. THIS HINDERS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU KNOW, IF THEY’RE GOING AFTER SOMEBODY WHO WHO POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, COMMITTED A CRIME MORE THAN JUST A TRAFFIC VIOLATION, IT IS NOW A CRIME TO USE A LICENSE PLATE COVER, ADD REFLECTIVE TO A LICENSE PLATE, INSTALL ANY PLATE FLIPPING OR SWITCHING DEVICE, OR TO CHANGE THE PLATE COLOR. BOWIE SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT DRIVERS KNOW TO KEEP THE PLATE LIGHTS WORKING PROPERLY TO MAKE SURE THOSE DEALER PLATE FRAMES DON’T COVER ANY PART OF THE PLATE, AND ALSO TO MAKE SURE THE PLATE IS CLEAN AND TO REMOVE ANYTHING AFFECTING A PLATE’S LEGIBILITY. THE LAW SAYS SELLING ANY DEVICE TO HIDE. MODIFY OR ALTER A PLATE COULD NET A $1,000 FINE AND UP TO ONE YEAR IN JAIL ON A FIRST DEGREE MISDEMEANOR. THOSE CHARGES ARE ENHANCED IF THOSE DEVICES ARE USED TO AID IN A CRIME, TO HAVE IT COMPLETELY BLOCKED. THAT’S THAT’S THAT’S A THAT’S TROUBLE FOR ANYBODY. CASSANDRA FOXWORTH NOW RIDES AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER TO WORK IN ORDER TO AVOID DRIVING. BUT EVEN NOW, SHE’S ENCOUNTERED SOME ISSUES WITH PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IF SOMEBODY HITS ME AGAIN AND I CAN’T SEE THEIR LICENSE PLATE, I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE ABLE TO EASILY, YOU KNOW, IF THEY SPEED OFF OR WHATEVER. IF I’M REALLY HURT, YOU KNOW, TRULY HURT FOR ANYBODY, I THINK IT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, NOT HAVING ANY KIND OF OBSTRUCTION ON THEIR. NOW, IF YOU ARE CAUGHT WITH ANY OBSTRUCTION TO YOUR LICENSE PLATE, THAT COULD LEAD TO A FINE OF UP TO $500 OR EVEN 60 DAYS IN JAIL.
New Florida law brings tougher penalties for obscured license plates
Updated: 10:33 PM EST Nov 24, 2025
With the holiday travel season approaching, Florida drivers are being urged to take note of a new state law that cracks down on obscured or altered license plates.The law, which took effect Oct. 1, makes it illegal to block or cover any part of a vehicle’s license plate. Violations can range from a traffic infraction to a noncriminal misdemeanor. State lawmakers say the goal is to ensure plates are clearly visible to toll readers, traffic cameras and law enforcement.“Going through the tolls, going through the cameras — there’s a lot of things where you’ve got to read the plate,” said Steve Bowe, a local driving instructor who supports the change. “This hinders law enforcement if they’re going after somebody who potentially committed a crime.”Under the law, drivers are prohibited from using transparent or smoked plate covers, reflective materials, or any devices that flip, switch or alter a plate. It’s also illegal to sell devices intended to hide or modify a license plate — a first-degree misdemeanor that can carry a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Penalties increase if the devices are used to facilitate a crime.Bowe said drivers should routinely check that license-plate lights work, ensure dealership frames don’t cover any part of the plate, keep plates clean and remove anything that affects legibility.Some riders and pedestrians say the law adds an extra layer of safety. Cassandra Foxworth, who commutes by electric scooter, said she’s been involved in crashes where identifying a driver was difficult.“If somebody hits me again and I can’t see their license plate … if they speed off, it would be much better to not have the plates obstructed,” she said.Drivers caught altering, covering or modifying a plate face up to a $500 fine or 60 days in jail.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
With the holiday travel season approaching, Florida drivers are being urged to take note of a new state law that cracks down on obscured or altered license plates.
The law, which took effect Oct. 1, makes it illegal to block or cover any part of a vehicle’s license plate.
Violations can range from a traffic infraction to a noncriminal misdemeanor. State lawmakers say the goal is to ensure plates are clearly visible to toll readers, traffic cameras and law enforcement.
“Going through the tolls, going through the cameras — there’s a lot of things where you’ve got to read the plate,” said Steve Bowe, a local driving instructor who supports the change. “This hinders law enforcement if they’re going after somebody who potentially committed a crime.”
Under the law, drivers are prohibited from using transparent or smoked plate covers, reflective materials, or any devices that flip, switch or alter a plate. It’s also illegal to sell devices intended to hide or modify a license plate — a first-degree misdemeanor that can carry a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail.
Penalties increase if the devices are used to facilitate a crime.
Bowe said drivers should routinely check that license-plate lights work, ensure dealership frames don’t cover any part of the plate, keep plates clean and remove anything that affects legibility.
Some riders and pedestrians say the law adds an extra layer of safety. Cassandra Foxworth, who commutes by electric scooter, said she’s been involved in crashes where identifying a driver was difficult.
“If somebody hits me again and I can’t see their license plate … if they speed off, it would be much better to not have the plates obstructed,” she said.
Drivers caught altering, covering or modifying a plate face up to a $500 fine or 60 days in jail.