Florida Has Just Made Your Adorable License Plate Frame a Criminal Offense | Carscoops

      Decorative license plate frames may now lead to misdemeanor charges under Florida's revised visibility regulations.

      A recent update in Florida's HB 253 classifies obscured license plates as a second-degree misdemeanor. Frames installed by dealerships could catch unsuspecting drivers off guard.

      The new legislation introduces severe penalties for devices and modifications that obscure license plates.

      Florida motorists should examine their license plates more closely, as even a minor decorative addition could incur a significant penalty.

      The law aims to reduce intentional attempts to obscure license plates, but it may inadvertently penalize regular drivers as well. Some individuals may not realize that a dealership-installed frame could lead to a citation.

      According to the recent law enacted on October 1, any frame or covering that obstructs even a small part of a plate is now considered a second-degree misdemeanor. This could result in a fine of up to $500 and as much as 60 days in jail for something as trivial as a themed border or a sports-team frame.

      Although the law mainly targets those who deliberately hide their plates, it has a broader scope than anticipated.

      The updated law expands penalties to include various modifications related to license plates: altering colors, using reflective sprays, attaching illuminated devices, or anything else that affects the plate's readability. What was previously a minor traffic violation is now classified as a criminal offense.

      Additionally, it introduces new offenses related to “license plate obscuring devices”—tools designed to conceal, flip, rotate, or block plates from cameras or law enforcement.

      Another important point to note is that purchasing one of these devices is now classified as a second-degree misdemeanor. Manufacturing or selling such devices is considered a first-degree misdemeanor. Using one during the commission of a crime can elevate the penalty to a third-degree felony, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years.

      Furthermore, the law clearly states that it affects anyone who “sells, offers to sell, or otherwise distributes license plate obscuring devices,” which suggests it could apply to dealers across the state.

      We have contacted the Sarasota Police Department for additional information and will provide updates as we receive them. For now, the instruction is clear: keep your license plate completely unobstructed to avoid potential penalties.