Social media trend shows Florida license plates wrapped with plastic. Is that legal?

Trooper Steve answers questions about Florida traffic laws

ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve answers viewer questions about the rules of the road, helping Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.

Trooper Steve on Thursday was asked by a viewer named Howard, “I have seen people covering their license plate with plastic wraps on social media. Is this legal?”

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Steve says that he’s aware of the trend and it’s driving him insane.

“So, I’ve seen it on Facebook and now I’ve recently seen it on Instagram and on TikTok. It’s where people take their plates, their standard Florida plate, and then they wrap it black or they customize it in some kind of color. This is illegal. You are not allowed to do this in the state of Florida,” he said.

Not only that, but Trooper Steve points out that almost anything one could do to alter the appearance of their license plate could be illegal.

“You cannot obstruct any of the letters, nothing. You should just be putting it on your vehicle. When people start trying to individualize their plate, that’s when we start getting in trouble. So, if you see these ads online and you live here in the Sunshine State, you are not allowed to do that to your tag, nor allowed to convert it to look like a Euro tag,” he said.

If you have a question for Trooper Steve, submit it here.

For more Ask Trooper Steve content, click or tap here.

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About the Author

Steven Montiero, better known as “Trooper Steve," joined the News 6 morning team as its Traffic Safety Expert in October 2017. A Central Florida native and decorated combat veteran, Montiero comes to the station following an eight-year assignment with the Florida Highway Patrol.

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