License plate trim covering any part of your plate will get Florida drivers fined

Law enforcement can charge over $100

ORLANDO, Fla. – Chances are more than half the drivers on the road are breaking the law and they don't even know it.

In fact, when we checked the Local 6 parking lot we found many cars whose owners are at fault.

Florida law sets a protocol for the visibility of your license plate and what many drivers don't realize is that those fancy place trims can be illegal.

"Blocking a part of their tag, they're actually breaking the law," said Sgt. Kim Montes, with Florida Highway Patrol.

Local 6 visited parking lots around Orange County and found a landslide of license plate trims for teams, car dealerships and even the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Many plates found were in violation of Florida statute 320.061.

The law states in part, "A person may not apply or attach a substance, coating, covering, or other material onto or around any license plate which interferes with any feature or detail on the license plate."

"If the dealership put it on, they should get the ticket," said one driver Local 6 talked to.

But the law also targets plate covers drivers use to beat red light cameras.

If a law enforcement officer looks over and sees your tag is obscured partially or totally, then you can be pulled over for that.  The fine in Orange County is $114.

Local 6 checked and those plate trims are sold online and in stores and no one warns they are illegal. This is not a second offense like seat belts were for years in Florida. Police officers can pull you over just for having an illegal license plate.


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