Take the frames off your license plate
Another law went into effect last month in Florida that has nothing to do with sex offenders but can disproportionately affect persons on the registry.
It is now illegal (a misdemeanor) to have a frame on your license plate. An arrest for this violation can cause you to be arrested and an arrest can prevent you from EVER being removed from the registry. An arrest, if you are on probation, would be a violation of probation and put you back in prison.
A member informed us that during an address verification, law enforcement noticed his tag and told him that it was illegal and he could be arrested for it. If you have a cover, frame, or anything covering or obscuring your tag, take it off. It’s not worth the risk. If you get stopped by an officer who is looking for anything to arrest you for because of your history, this can give them that opportunity.
Discover more from Florida Action Committee (FAC)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
DATE: December 12, 2025
TO: All Flonda Law Enforcement Agencies
FROM: Dave Kerner, Executive Director, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
SUBJECT: Obscured Licease Plates
On October 1, 2025, Florida Statute 320.262 License plate obscuring device prohibited, penalties went into effect.
This statute prolubits license plate obscuring devices.
This memo is intended to provide additional guidance on the use of a license plate frame.
Sections (Ic) and (1Xd) of’s. 320.262 F.S. reads as follows, (1)(c) “covering, obscuring, or otherwise interfering with the legibility, angular visibility, or detectability of the primary features or details, including the license plate number or validation sticker, on the license plate”, are prolibited or (1)Xd) “interfering with the ability to record the primary features or details, including the license plate number or validation sticker, on the license plate” are prohibited.
This act does not probibit the use of a license plate frame as long as the frame does not obscure visibility of the following:
•The alpha numeric plate identifier
•The decal located in the top right hand comer of the license plate.
The Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles does not consider the information on the bottom of the plate to be a primary feature of the plate. A plate frame that impinges on the information at the top of the plate is permissible, as long as law enforcement is able to identify the state that issued the plate.
For reference, in a 2019 case, the Fourth District Court of Appeal, analyzing a similar statute (s. 320.061 F.S.). found the plate frame below to be permissible.
(PHOTO) HOVE C71
Law enforcement officers should consult their agency counsel should they have additional questions or need further guidance.