Florida DMV Finally Clarifies Confusing License Plate Frame Law

Adding a decorative frame to your license plate is one of the simplest and non-invasive forms of car customization out there. Unfortunately, depending on where you're driving, this simple piece of car decor can cause lots of trouble. Specifically, Florida license plate laws have left drivers confused and hit with fines. The regulation that governs these frames went into effect on October 1 of this year and sets guidelines on how much of the plate can be covered. However, Florida drivers have found the new rules unclear. Thus, state officials have come forward to clarify what the law actually states.

On December 15, the official X account of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles made a post to dispel confusion over Florida Statute 320.262. Per the FLHSMV, a license plate frame is only an issue if it does either or both of these things: covers the alphanumeric plate identifier and obscures the decal located on the top right corner of the plate. Any other text or imagery doesn't need to be visible so long as the aforementioned elements can be seen. The post by the FLHSMV included a picture of a frame that would be considered legal to further drive the point home. While this rule won't impact drivers who don't have any fancy license plate decorations, for those who enjoy customizing their ride in this way, staying informed is key. The punishments for violating this new law aren't to be overlooked.

For those confused about why this Florida license plate law was put into place, know that it was done for a good reason. Florida Statute 320.262 was designed with tinted license plate covers and other forms of plate obstruction in mind. Its purpose is to make it easier for law enforcement to see plates. Miami-Dade County tax collector Dariel Fernandez took to Instagram to further discuss the intent of the law, explaining that the desire is to improve public safety and emphasizing that the law will be applied consistently and fairly. When it is enforced, the penalties can get pretty extreme.

As Florida Statute 320.262 continues its rollout — now with additional clarity — law enforcement is starting out with a light approach for those in violation. First-time violators are likely to be pulled over and informed of the new regulation, with education being the priority to prevent future run-ins. However, should one not heed this advice, they'll be on the receiving end of legal consequences. As noted previously, steep fines of up to $500 are a possibility. Since obstruction of a license plate is a misdemeanor, jail time is even on the table, too. So if you're worried your license plate frame could be trouble, now is the time to find a legal replacement or go without. One can only hope that the FLHSMV's clarification regarding Florida Statute 320.262 is enough to keep Florida drivers on the right side of the law. After all, no license plate cover or any other car feature that makes a car a police magnet is worth huge financial loss or time spent behind bars.