What to Know: Florida’s New License Plate Law

If you bought a car in Florida recently, there's a good chance it came with a decorative license plate frame from the dealership. Maybe it says the dealer's name, perhaps it's a branded sports team cover you picked up at a game. As of October 1, 2025, that seemingly harmless accessory could cause some repercussions. House Bill 253 quietly transformed Florida's license plate laws in a way that affects nearly every driver on the road. What used to be a non-criminal traffic ticket, maybe a $100 fine you could pay online, could now become a second-degree misdemeanor possibly carrying up to 60 days in jail with a monetary fine.

The law targets anyone who "knowingly" obscures any part of their license plate, including:

● The plate numbers or letters

● The word "Florida" at the top

● County name or validation stickers

● Any other identifying feature

This means tinted covers, decorative frames, dealer accessories, or even extremely excessive and strategically placed dirt could technically qualify.

Lawmakers say the change addresses a real problem: in parts of Florida people were using

sophisticated devices—remote-controlled plate flippers, reflective sprays, infrared blockers—to evade toll cameras and hide their identities during crimes. That's a legitimate concern. But HB 253 doesn't just target high-tech evasion devices. It criminalizes any obstruction, which means the soccer mom with a large dealership frame and the toll-evading individual are now subject to the same statute.

HB 253 also creates an entirely new crime category under Florida Statute 320.262 for "license plate obscuring devices" or mechanical or electronic gadgets designed to hide, flip, or block plates from camera detection. With nearly 286,000 registered vehicles in Leon County alone, this law has massive enforcement potential. This could create a new pretextual stop opportunity. So, check your vehicle today. Take 30 seconds to look at your license plate. Can you clearly read every number, letter, "Florida" your county name, and your registration sticker without any obstruction? If anything—frame, cover, or decoration—blocks an important part of the plate, consider removing it. Florida has just joined a small number of states that treat license plate violations as low level criminal offenses rather than traffic infractions.

If you've been charged under Florida's new license plate laws, or any traffic-related criminal offense, don't treat it like a simple ticket. These could be criminal charges that possibly create permanent records, affect background checks, and it could bring serious consequences for your license, employment, and future.

The Law Office of Lee Meadows focuses on criminal defense in Leon County, with particular emphasis on DUI defense and traffic-related criminal charges. If you're facing charges under Florida's new license plate laws or need guidance on vehicle compliance, you can contact our office for a consultation.