Florida’s updated license plate law, Statute 320.061, has recently sparked confusion and prompted a wave of social media posts, with many drivers worried they could be arrested simply for having a dealership frame around their plate. The truth is far less dramatic. The statute does not ban all plate frames; it simply requires that nothing obstruct or alter the visibility of any part of the license plate. Here’s what the law really says, and what drivers can and cannot do under the new rules.

1. - What Florida Statute 320.061 Actually Says

320.061 Unlawful to alter motor vehicle registration certificates, license plates, temporary license plates, mobile home stickers, or validation stickers or to obscure license plates; penalty.  A person may not alter the original appearance of a vehicle registration certificate, license plate, temporary license plate, mobile home sticker, or validation sticker issued for and assigned to a motor vehicle or mobile home, whether by mutilation, alteration, defacement, or change of color or in any other manner. A person may not apply or attach a substance, reflective matter, illuminated device, spray, coating, covering, or other material onto or around any license plate which interferes with the legibility, angular visibility, or detectability of any feature or detail on the license plate or interferes with the ability to record any feature or detail on the license plate. A person who violates this section commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

Key points from the statute:

• You may not alter the original appearance of a license plate or registration certificate
• You can not attach or apply any material (substance, reflective matter, spray, coating, covering, illuminated device, etc.) that interferes with legibility, visibility, or detectability of any detail on the plate
• To “obstruct” a plate means anything that makes it harder to read at a distance or on a camera, or that changes how it looks to law enforcement or automatic readers

2. - What Are You the Driver To Do 

ALLOWED 

• Your license plate, should be fully visible and without obstruction
•  A minimal frame that doesn’t cover any numbers, letters, decal, the word “Florida” is OK
•  No covers, coatings, sprays, films, illuminated devices, or reflective attachments that interfere with visibility

NOT ALLOWED

 ❌ Frames that cover any portion of letters, numbers, the state name, the registration decal.
 ❌ Tinted, smoked, or clear protective covers that obscure the plate
 ❌ Reflective films, sprays, coatings, or gadgets that distort or interfere with reading the plate
 ❌ LED or illuminated attachments around the plate that affect visibility

Even dealership frames can be illegal if they cover any part of the license plate or state name.

Penalties

• A person who knowingly violates section 320.061 commits a second-degree misdemeanor
• A second-degree misdemeanor in Florida can include up to 60 days in jail, and/or a fine, according to related penal statutes

Important Enforcement Information: 

• The law is aimed at intentional obscuration, but reading “knowingly” with enforcement, discretion is key

• While the penalty can include jail, most drivers are unlikely to face that for a first offense involving a license plate frame, particularly if it looks like a minimal issue and not intentional

The law, signed by Governor DeSantis in May, went into effect on October 1, 2025. The law is about stopping people from trying to intentionally hide their vehicle plate number, and to ensure that law enforcement have the best chance possible to catch hit-and-run drivers, toll violators, reduce vehicle theft and more. 

The safest course of action: Remove any accessory that covers part of the plate, and use only frames that leave every detail completely visible.