A major change in Florida law regulating vehicle license plate modifications took effect Oct. 1.
House bill 253, also known as “Offenses Involving Motor Vehicles,” introduces tougher penalties for drivers who alter, hide or use devices to manipulate their plates.
What’s no longer allowed
Any change that affects how a license plate looks or can be read is now a crime, not just a traffic violation.
This includes:
- Changing the plate’s color
- Applying sprays, films, coatings or tints
- Using transparent or smoked covers
- Adding lights or reflective devices that shine on the plate
- Installing mechanisms that flip, hide or switch between plates
What drivers should do:
- Keep the plate clean, visible and unobstructed
- Check dealer-installed frames; if they cover numbers or stickers, remove them
- Remove any aesthetic or aftermarket accessories that alter the plate
- Make sure the plate light works properly
Penalties under the new law
- Altering, covering or modifying a plate: Second-degree misdemeanor, up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
- Buying or possessing a device to hide a plate: Second-degree misdemeanor, same penalty as above.
- Manufacturing, selling or distributing such devices: First-degree misdemeanor, up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
- Using these devices to commit or aid a crime: Third-degree felony, up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
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