TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 25, 2024—The Florida Highway Patrol has put car owners on notice if they’ve altered their license plates.

Plates that have been airbrushed, vinyl-wrapped or customized are a violation of the legal tag requirements under Florida law for reflectivity and safety enhancements, and can potentially impact the yellow validation stickers.

Driving on a public roadway with altered plates is against the law and violates Section 320.061, Florida Statutes which prohibits the unlawful altering of a Florida license plate.

The FHP is being proactive in raising awareness of the law to ensure individuals who may not realize they are breaking the law by altering their tags are informed.

Since 2020, citations for unlawful alteration of a Florida license plate have increased more than 98 percent.

The citation is classified as a moving violation which includes a $60 state fine, three points on a driver’s license and an accompanying fee set by the county where the citation was issued.

Those people who have altered their Florida tag and cannot return it to its original condition will need to get a replacement Florida license plate from their local tax collector.

Troopers encountering altered tags can seize the tag requiring the owner to apply for a new license plate.

Florida offers more than 100 specialty license plates for various organizations with proceeds from sales going directly to support the causes they represent. Additionally, personalized license plates can be ordered in person at a motor vehicle service center.

For more information about specialty and personalized license plates visit  Personalized and Specialty License Plates – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Florida Highway Patrol news release