Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Florida’s New ‘License Plate’ Law
Key Takeaways:
- Florida strengthened license plate visibility rules, requiring plates to be fully readable, unobstructed, and properly mounted at all times.
- The state also tightened enforcement of temporary tag misuse, adding verification requirements, limits on issuance, and harsher penalties for fraudulent or expired tags.
- Drivers can avoid citations by removing obstructive frames or covers, properly mounting plates, and ensuring any temporary tag is valid and issued by a licensed dealer.
- If you receive a citation or believe a temporary tag was mishandled, an attorney can help you understand your rights and contest the ticket if appropriate.
Florida has strengthened its license plate laws to improve roadway safety, prevent fraud, and ensure officers can identify vehicles quickly. These updates went into effect through a series of legislative changes and enforcement efforts between 2024 and 2025. If you drive in Florida, understanding these rules is essential, especially because failing to follow them can lead to fines, citations, and complications with traffic stops.
At Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A., we know how confusing changing regulations can be. We’re here to explain the new requirements in clear terms so you can avoid unnecessary penalties and stay focused on what matters most, your safety and well-being.
What Is Florida’s New License Plate Law?
Florida’s updated license plate rules fall into two major areas:
- Plate visibility and obstruction laws: Ensuring every plate is fully visible and readable at all times.
- Temporary tag (temp plate) reform: Targeting misuse, fraud, and repeated unlawful issuance of temp tags.
While the core requirement to display a rear license plate has not changed, the state has tightened how that plate must be displayed and expanded enforcement of improper covers, frames, and temporary tags.
Why These Updates Were Introduced
- Increased use of plate covers and frames obstructing numbers and state identifiers.
- A major rise in fraudulent temporary tags tied to unregistered cars and criminal activity.
- Growth in automated tolling and law-enforcement camera systems that require a clear view of plates.
Florida lawmakers and the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) implemented these changes to support public safety and reduce fraud involving untraceable vehicles.
Key Changes Florida Drivers Should Know
1. Stricter Plate Visibility Requirements
Florida now enforces visibility laws with far less tolerance. Under updated rules, your plate must be:
- Completely unobstructed
- Mounted upright and horizontal (not tilted or slanted)
- Clearly legible from 100 feet
- Displaying no covers, tints, sprays, or shaded shields
- Free from frames that block any portion of the letters, numbers, stickers, or “FLORIDA” text
What counts as “obstructed”?
You may be in violation if:
- A frame blocks even a small part of the plate’s numbers, letters, or state name
- A tinted cover makes the plate harder to read
- A wrap, coating, or spray distorts camera visibility
- Your plate is bent, damaged, or partially covered by dirt or debris
If your plate is “partially blocked,” for example, if the top frame edge covers part of “Sunshine State, ”you can still receive a citation.
2. Placement and Mounting Rules
Florida requires:
- Rear plate only (unless you drive a vehicle class requiring more)
- Height between 12 and 60 inches from the ground
- Secure mounting using bolts/screws
- A working white light illuminates the plate at night
Any deviation, such as hanging plates in a rear window, placing them behind dark glass, or using Velcro or temporary clips, can lead to a violation.
3. The Crackdown on Temporary Tags
One of the biggest 2025 changes involves how temporary tags are issued, displayed, and enforced.
What changed?
Florida’s new rules include:
- Stricter identity verification before a dealer can issue a temp tag
- Limits on how many tags a dealer may issue per vehicle
- Automatic reporting requirements to FLHSMV for every tag issued
- Enhanced penalties for misuse, including fraudulent resale of temp tags
- Criminal charges for knowingly obtaining or using fraudulent tags
- Immediate immobilization or towing if a vehicle is found with a fake or expired temp tag
These changes were introduced because fraudulent temporary tags, often sold online or printed illegally, became a major issue statewide. Many of these tags were tied to unregistered cars, uninsured drivers, and vehicles involved in crimes.
What drivers need to know
You must:
- Display the temp tag exactly as issued
- Ensure the expiration date is unobstructed and clearly visible
- Replace it with your permanent plate before the expiration date
- Never buy a temp tag from a private individual or non-licensed seller
If you’re stopped with an illegitimate or unreadable temporary tag, even if you didn’t know it was fraudulent, you can still receive a citation.
Penalties for Not Following the Law
These violations are usually non-criminal traffic infractions, but repeated violations or fraudulent tags can escalate.
Common penalties include:
- Fines (typically $100-$200, depending on the county)
- Court costs and administrative fees
- Vehicle impoundment in cases involving fraudulent or illegally issued temp tags
- Repeat-offender penalties if law enforcement documents multiple violations
If a citation stems from an improperly displayed temp tag or a misunderstanding about recent law changes, you may have the right to contest it.
How to Stay Compliant
Here’s what Florida drivers can do to avoid violations:
1. Check Your Plate’s Visibility
- Remove any frame that covers numbers or the word “Florida.”
- Avoid plate covers as they’re illegal in many cases.
- Make sure the plate is clean and readable from a distance.
2. Mount the Plate Correctly
- Use proper screws, not tape or adhesives.
- Ensure the plate is level and securely attached.
- Confirm your plate light works at night.
3. Verify Any Temporary Tag
- Only accept temp tags issued directly by a licensed dealer.
- Confirm the VIN and expiration date are correct.
- Replace it promptly once your permanent plate arrives.
4. Keep Registration Documents Up to Date
- Renew registration before it expires.
- If your plate is damaged, request a replacement promptly through FLHSMV.
Staying compliant protects you from unnecessary stops and ensures you’re following Florida’s road safety requirements.
When to Contact a Lawyer
You may want to speak with a lawyer if:
- You received a citation for an obstructed plate or temp tag, which you believe was issued improperly
- Your plate was visible, but you were still ticketed
- A dealer gave you a temp tag that wasn’t valid or was entered incorrectly in the system
- You’re facing penalties tied to an accusation of temp tag misuse
At FFP Law, we understand how stressful even minor traffic citations can be, especially if you’re already dealing with injuries from a crash or other difficult circumstances. We’re here to stand up for your rights and help you address the citation or dispute so you can move forward with peace of mind.
If you have questions or need guidance, please contact us today for a free consultation. There are no fees unless we win for you.
FAQs
Do I need a new license plate?
Not unless your plate is damaged, illegible, or fails to meet visibility requirements. Most drivers simply need to remove frames or covers that obstruct the view.
Can I keep my specialty plate?
Yes. Specialty plates are still allowed as long as they remain fully readable and unobstructed.
Does this affect out-of-state drivers?
Yes, while driving in Florida, out-of-state plates must comply with Florida visibility rules. Temp tag requirements apply only to tags issued within Florida.
Are plate covers or tints legal?
Generally, no. Anything that blocks camera or officer visibility can result in a citation.
How long can I use a temporary tag?
Most Florida temporary tags are valid for 30 days unless a specific exception applies.
Sources
Specialty License Plates – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
License Plates & Registration – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Renew or Replace Your Registration – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Mr. Fine was born in New York, New York, and was raised in the northeast, where he studied sociology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He then graduated with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1976. In law school, he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Mr. Fine was admitted into the Florida Bar in 1976, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 1977, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in 1991, and the United States Court of Appeals 11th Circuit in 1982.