A major change in Florida law regulating vehicle license plate modifications took effect Oct. 1.

House bill 253, also known as “Offenses Involving Motor Vehicles,” introduces tougher penalties for drivers who alter, hide or use devices to manipulate their plates.

What’s no longer allowed

Any change that affects how a license plate looks or can be read is now a crime, not just a traffic violation.

This includes:

Changing the plate’s color

Applying sprays, films, coatings or tints

Using transparent or smoked covers

Adding lights or reflective devices that shine on the plate

Installing mechanisms that flip, hide or switch between plates

What drivers should do :

Keep the plate clean, visible and unobstructed

Check dealer-installed frames; if they cover numbers or stickers, remove

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