With the holiday travel season approaching, Florida drivers are being urged to take note of a new state law that cracks down on obscured or altered license plates.

The law, which took effect Oct. 1, makes it illegal to block or cover any part of a vehicle’s license plate.

Violations can range from a traffic infraction to a noncriminal misdemeanor. State lawmakers say the goal is to ensure plates are clearly visible to toll readers, traffic cameras and law enforcement.

“Going through the tolls, going through the cameras — there’s a lot of things where you’ve got to read the plate,” said Steve Bowe, a local driving instructor who supports the change. “This hinders law enforcement if they’re going after somebody who potentially committed a crime.”

Under the law, drivers are prohibited fr

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