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FLORIDA - Florida officials have released additional guidance to help drivers understand the state’s recently implemented law restricting the use of license plate frames and covers.
The clarification follows the October 1st start of Florida Statute 320.262, which outlines penalties for allegedly obscuring or interfering with a vehicle’s tag.
In a memo shared publicly, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles stated that the law prohibits any frame or cover that allegedly blocks, hides or disrupts the visibility, legibility or detection of a plate number or its required validation sticker.
The department noted that automated readers and law enforcement must be able to clearly identify a vehicle’s registration without obstruction.
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The agency also clarified that the statute does not ban license plate frames altogether.
Frames may still be used if they do not obscure the alphanumeric characters or the registration decal located in the upper right corner of the plate.
Officials said these elements are essential for proper identification during traffic enforcement and tolling.
FLHSMV explained that information appearing on the bottom portion of Florida plates is not considered critical for compliance.
As long as the state name and mandatory identifying elements at the top of the plate remain visible, a frame encasing the lower border does not violate the law.
A review of arrest reports involving tag violations aligns with the department’s explanation.
Cases typically involve plates that were fully covered or darkened to the point they could not be identified, not plates where only decorative bottom text was partially covered.
Officials say the clarification aims to ensure consistent enforcement statewide.