Less than three weeks remain before Christmas Day, prompting more people to rush to buy their Christmas gifts and to reach their vacation destinations on time. However, your hustle could result in you facing $1,000 fines and 365 days in jail. So be warned, as some license plate hiders may go to jail if they are caught in this state. Discover the list of penalties that offenders may have to face under a new law that was passed in this state earlier this year. Don’t say we did not warn you!
There’s a new law in town
One lesson that so many people have yet to learn is: Crime does not pay! One of the most significant crime issues faced in the U.S. today is motor vehicle crimes. According to a report by Your AAA Network, some people may not realise that hiding your license plate is a motor vehicle crime, no matter how ‘innocent’ the reason. In fact, doing so is illegal in nearly every U.S. state
One state has introduced a new law, which has an effective date of October 1, 2025. The law, part of House Bill 253, better known as “Offenses Involving Motor Vehicles,” imposes severe penalties for anyone who dares to break the new law. Ensure you stay compliant, as license plate hiders may go to jail, as well as face other penalties in addition to their jail time. Find out more below.
License plate hiders may go to jail
The Sunshine State has become a little less sunny for license plate hiders. It seems as though Florida has followed in the footsteps of Illinois’ massive license plate ban to stop license plate flippers. Florida House Bill 253 has made it very clear that the following is now illegal:
- Defacing or mutilating a license plate
- Adding reflective coatings or materials to hide the plate
- Changing the color of a license plate
- Utilising smoked or transparent covers
- Installing devices that switch, hide, or flip between license plates
Any of the above will be handled as a serious criminal offense and result in significant penalties, including jail time. Law enforcement will particularly be actively enforcing the new law this December, so Floridians and visitors, be warned! Discover the penalties you could potentially face by referring to the below.
Other penalties in addition to jail time
According to a report by NBC 6 South Florida, the list of penalties for violating the law, as outlined by Florida House Bill 253, includes:
- Using license plate hiding devices to commit or assist in a crime
- Third-degree felony
- A maximum of five years in prison
- $5,000 fine
- Producing, selling, or providing these devices
- First-degree misdemeanor
- A maximum of one year in prison
- $1,000 fine
- Purchasing or owning a license plate hiding device
- Second-degree misdemeanor
- Maximum of 60 days in jail
- $500 fine
- Changing, hiding, or modifying a license plate
- Second-degree misdemeanor
- Maximum of 60 days in jail
- $500 fine
As you can see, crime does not pay, but you sure will thanks to those steep fines! You can find additional information about Florida House Bill 253 by visiting the official Florida Senate website.
In conclusion, if you are considering conducting ‘innocent’ license plate activities, think twice, as you could be flushing your money and your future down the drain. Several other traffic laws have also been introduced nationwide in an attempt to address ongoing road safety concerns. As a result, several drivers are being forced to adapt to new national speed limits, including this state, which adopted new speed limits back in September. So, if you are planning a road trip over December, be vigilant and obey the law, not only for your sake, but for others as well.
Read the whole thing?
Get the week's signal, not the noise
Our sharpest reporting on energy, climate and nature — free, once a week.
