Florida authorities have moved to clear up confusion surrounding a new law that increased penalties for license plates that are considered obstructed. Many drivers questioned whether decorative license plate frames could lead to fines or jail time.
The law allows penalties of up to:
- 500 dollars
- 60 days in jail
- Both for violations
To address public concern, police departments and sheriff’s offices across the state issued statements explaining how the law is being applied. The Florida Sheriffs Association also reassured drivers that its own branded license plate frames comply with current regulations. Even so, uncertainty remained over what legally constitutes an obstruction and which parts of the plate must remain visible.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued a memo to all law enforcement agencies to clarify enforcement guidelines. The department stated that officers must be able to clearly identify specific elements of the license plate in order for it to be considered compliant with the law.
According to the agency, information located at the bottom of the plate is not considered a primary feature. A frame that covers that area is allowed as long as law enforcement can clearly see the state that issued the plate and the required identifying information.
New law in Florida about locense plate
The following elements must remain visible:
- The full alphanumeric plate identifier
- The registration decal in the upper right corner
- The name of the issuing state at the top of the plate
