FLORIDA – Considering a fancy non-state approved license plate? You may want to reconsider this decision.

The Florida Highway Patrol crack down on drivers who personalize license plates with airbrush and vinyl wrap, ticketing them or removing their plates, leaving drivers to buy a new license plate.

According to the FHP, tag alterations are quite common in Florida and many drivers are unaware that altering a plate that interferes with the yellow validation tags is illegal.

FHP is proactively raising awareness of drivers who are unaware of this specific law.

Under Florida law, Florida Statutes Section 320.061 prohibits the illegal alteration of Florida license plates. Such changes clearly violate legal requirements and violate yellow validation tags.

According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle, “Since 2020, citations for illegally altering a Florida license plate have increased by more than 98 percent. The citation is classified as a moving violation, which includes a $60 state fine, three points on the license, and then an accompanying fee set by the county where the citation was issued.”

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is warning drivers who have altered their Florida tag and cannot get it back to its original state. Drivers will be required to purchase a new number plate from local tax collector.

“If an officer sees a vehicle with an altered tag, they can impound the tag, requiring the owner to apply for a new license plate,” FLHSMV said.

Recently, FLSHMV introduced a new line of registration plates.

According to FLSHMV, “Florida offers more than 100 specialty license plates for various organizations, with proceeds from sales going directly to support the causes they represent. Personalized license plates can also be ordered in person at a car service center.”

For more information, click here.