- Florida’s HB 253 makes obstructed plates a second-degree misdemeanor.
- Dealership-installed frames are catching unsuspecting drivers by surprise.
- New law adds harsh penalties for plate-obscuring devices and modifications.
Florida drivers might want to take a closer look at their license plates, because even the smallest decorative touch could now carry more than just a shrug and a warning. Now, it might come with a surprisingly steep penalty.
A new law, aimed at curbing intentional plate-obscuring tricks, is pulling in far more than the usual suspects. For some drivers, that long-forgotten dealership frame might be all it takes to trigger a citation.
Read: Idaho Now Lets You Ditch The Front License Plate On One Condition
Plenty of scofflaws use nefarious methods to obscure their plates in an effort to evade authorities. Florida is trying to crack down on folks like that, but it might catch everyday residents in the crossfire. According to police, they’ll still be subject to a ticket.
Who’s Actually Breaking the Law?
Florida’s newly tightened rules on license plate visibility are already catching drivers off guard. That’s especially true for those who never suspected their dealership-installed decorative frames could land them in trouble. That’s right, something installed by a dealer years ago could land a driver in hot water today.
Under House Bill 253, which took effect Oct. 1, any frame or covering that obscures even the tiniest part of a plate is now treated as a second-degree misdemeanor. That means a potential $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail for something as minor as a princess-themed border or a sports-team frame.
The reality is that it’s mostly aimed at scofflaws who intentionally obstruct their plate, but the net is quite large.
What Falls Under the New Ban?
The law expands penalties for a wide range of plate-related modifications: altering colors, adding reflective sprays, attaching illuminated devices, or doing anything that interferes with the plate’s readability or detectability. What once was a simple traffic infraction now lands in criminal territory.
It also introduces entirely new crimes related to so-called “license plate obscuring devices,” gadgets designed to hide, flip, switch, or shield plates from cameras or law enforcement.
Collateral Crackdown
There’s another detail worth noting. Buying one is now a second-degree misdemeanor. Manufacturing or selling one is a first-degree misdemeanor. And using one during a crime can escalate penalties to a third-degree felony, carrying up to five years in prison.
Here’s another interesting wrinkle. The law explicitly states that it applies to anyone who “sells, offers to sell, or otherwise distributes license plate obscuring device.” That wording sure makes it seem as though it would apply to any dealership throughout the state.
We’ve reached out to the Sarasota Police Department for more information on that front. We’ll update you here if we hear back. Until then, the message is clear. Keep your license plate completely naked or risk the consequences.