PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – They may look cooler than a regular Florida tag, but state troopers issued a warning Wednesday that custom-wrapped license plates are illegal and promised “strict enforcement” for drivers who have them.
Plates that have been “airbrushed, vinyl-wrapped, or customized” have become a common sight on roadways, often sporting custom color schemes or graphics. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, citations for illegal plate alterations have nearly doubled since 2020.
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The modified tags violate “requirements under Florida law for reflectivity and safety enhancements and can potentially impact the yellow validation stickers,” an FHP news release states.
Drivers can be cited and have their tags seized.
“The citation is classified as a moving violation which includes a state fine of $60, three points on your license and then an accompanying fee set by the county in which the citation was issued,” the FHP news release states. “Troopers encountering altered tags can seize the tag requiring the owner to apply for a new license plate.”
Troopers said drivers who have custom-wrapped plates who can’t return them to their original condition will need to get a replacement from their local tax collector’s office.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles suggests ordering one of the state’s myriad, officially-sanctioned specialty plates instead.