PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida’s new license plate law has left many drivers puzzled, especially regarding the use of license plate frames.
There is confusion among some residents – and even some police departments – about what exactly the new law says, and whether these frames may now be illegal, prompting state officials to step in and provide clarification.
According to NBC6, one South Florida man spent the night in jail after he was pulled over and arrested by Davie Police for the license plate frame on his rental car.
Demarquize Dawson posted a photo of his license plate on Instagram and said he was arrested because the first “S” in “Sunshine State” was covered by the frame.
After Dawson’s arrest, Davie Police apologized and issued a statement, “At the initial release of this updated law, the wording was vague, unclear and appeared to be open for misinterpretation. Since the release of a memo of clarification from the Florida Police Chiefs’ Association was provided to our department, our officers are educated on the application and use of this statute. Unfortunately, it appears this arrest was invalid and we extend our apologies to Mr. Dawson.”
Related: Florida makes common license plate accessories a crime: Here’s what’s banned
To clarify the situation, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles sent a letter to all law enforcement agencies on Dec. 12. In the memo, the department says, “This act does not prohibit the use of a license plate frame as long as the frame does not obscure visibility of the following:
1. The alpha numeric plate identifier;
2. The decal located in the top right hand corner of the license plate.
The Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles does not consider the information on the bottom to the plate to be a primary feature of the plate. A plate frame that impinges on the information at the top of the plate is permissible, as long as law enforcement is able to identify the state that issued the license plate.”
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has released an easy-to-understand guide about the new regulations.
Here is an example of what is not acceptable on Florida license plates according to the new law. (SLCSO)
See also: Florida makes common license plate accessories a crime: Here’s what’s banned
Here’s what you need to know:License Plate Frames Are Allowed: You can use a license plate frame as long as it does not obscure the registration sticker or the letters and numbers on the license plate.Covering the Top is Okay: It’s permitted to have a frame that slightly covers the top portion of the plate, specifically where it reads “MY FLORIDA.COM.” As long as the state issuing the plate is still visible to law enforcement, you’re in the clear.Covering the Bottom is Fine: Frames can cover the bottom of the license plate, where it says “SUNSHINE STATE,” since this information is not considered primary.
Failure to comply with these regulations could result in a hefty fine of up to $500 or even 60 days in jail. To avoid any issues, many drivers are opting to remove their license plate frames entirely.