FHP enforcing illegally wrapped license plates
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)
August 7, 2024
Tallahassee, Florida - This week, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) issued a warning to drivers with Florida license plates that have been airbrushed, vinyl-wrapped, or customized, as these alterations violate the legal tag requirements, under Florida law, for reflectivity and safety enhancements, and can potentially impact the yellow validation stickers. Driving on a public roadway with these altered plates displayed is against the law, as it violates Section 320.061 of the Florida Statutes, which prohibits the unlawful altering of a Florida License Plate.
Tag alterations like these are frequently seen, and the FHP is attempting to raise awareness of the law so that people are informed that they may be breaking the law by altering their tags.
Since 2020, citations for unlawful alteration of a Florida license plate have increased over 98%. The citation is classified as a moving violation, which includes a state fine of $60, three points on your driver's license, and an accompanying fee that is set by the county in which the citation was issued.
If you have altered your Florida tag and cannot return it to its original condition, you will need to get a replacement Florida license plate from your local tax collector. Troopers encountering altered tags can seize the tag, requiring the owner to apply for a new license plate.
Florida offers more than 100 specialty license plates for various organizations, with the proceeds from the sales going directly to support the causes they represent. For information about specialty and personalized license plates, visit flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/personalized-specialty-license-plates.