Florida’s New “Obstructed Tag” Law: What Drivers Need to Know About the Major Changes to §320.061

As of October 1, 2025, a quiet but significant change to Florida’s traffic laws has taken effect, one that gives law enforcement broad new authority to stop vehicles across the state. The amendment to Florida Statute §320.061, commonly referred to as the “Obstructed Tag” law, elevates what was once a civil traffic infraction into a criminal misdemeanor offense. The new law now exposes everyday drivers to arrest, criminal prosecution, and the lasting consequences that come with a misdemeanor conviction.

At The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, we have already begun educating our clients about these changes, because the reality is simple: a large percentage of Florida drivers are unknowingly committing a misdemeanor every time they get behind the wheel.

What the New Statute Says

Under the amended §320.061, a person may not “alter, obscure, conceal, or place any substance, material, coating, covering, or frame onto or around any license plate if such placement or covering interferes with the ability to record, identify, or discern any feature or detail of the license plate.”

In everyday language, this means:

• Any frame, cover, or material, no matter how common or decorative, that blocks, blurs, tints, or shadows any part of a Florida license plate is a crime.
  
• The statute applies even when the obstruction is minimal or caused by something routinely installed by car dealerships.
  
• The intent of the driver does not matter. The mere presence of the obstructing material completes the offense.
  

This includes:

• Dealership plate frames that cover part of the county name
  
• Clear or tinted plastic license-plate covers
  
• Aftermarket frames sold at auto parts stores
  
• Decorative borders
  
• Metal or plastic frames that obscure a single letter or number
  
• Any covering that affects surveillance or plate-reader visibility
  

If it interferes with “any feature or detail,” it now qualifies as a misdemeanor—punishable by up to 60 days in jail, six months of probation, and a $500 fine.

Why This Change Matters

Before October 1, 2025, obstructed tag violations were handled as minor civil infractions, often resolved by removing the cover and paying a small fine. Now, however, motorists face the threat of an arrest and criminal prosecution.

This change dramatically expands the ability of law enforcement to initiate traffic stops.

To get a sense of the law’s real-world impact, we conducted an informal review right here at our office. A walk through our parking lot revealed that more than 80% of the vehicles had license-plate frames or coverings that would now be considered criminal violations. Most came directly from dealerships. Many drivers had no idea that their vehicles were non-compliant, let alone that the non-compliance could lead to a criminal charge.

If 8 out of 10 cars in a typical office parking lot are technically in violation, that means law enforcement can now justify a stop on virtually any passing vehicle, at any time, almost anywhere in Florida.

For motorists, this raises serious concerns. For prosecutors and defense attorneys, it raises important constitutional questions that will likely be litigated in the years ahead.

How Law Enforcement Will Use the New Law

From a policing standpoint, the amended §320.061 functions similarly to long-standing window-tint statutes or tag-light requirements: it provides a readily available justification for stopping a vehicle.

However, the obstructed tag amendment may go even further. Because:

• Plate frames and covers are extremely common
  
• Many dealership-installed frames obscure some portion of the tag
  
• Even “clear” covers can interfere with automated plate-reading
  

The law essentially arms officers with a lawful basis to stop almost any car they choose, making it a powerful tool in DUI enforcement, drug interdiction, and investigative stops.

Drivers should anticipate an increase in:

• DUI investigations beginning from tag-obstruction stops
  
• Vehicle searches following such stops
  
• Pretextual stops justified by a tag frame or covering
  
• Challenges to these stops in court
  

Florida courts will ultimately have to determine how strictly “interfere” will be interpreted. But until appellate guidance is issued, the statute gives law enforcement broad discretion.

The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan’s Practical Tip for Drivers

Because this law is now in effect statewide, and because the overwhelming majority of drivers are currently in violation, we strongly recommend taking five minutes this weekend to inspect your vehicle.

If you have a dealership frame, decorative border, or any type of plate cover, remove it.

This simple step may prevent:

• A police stop
  
• A criminal charge
  
• A court appearance
  
• A permanent misdemeanor record
  
• Increased insurance rates
  
• Unnecessary legal expenses
  

If you have been stopped or charged under the amended §320.061, our office is already preparing legal strategies to challenge these cases. As with any new law, early cases will shape how strictly the statute is interpreted and enforced.

Need Legal Assistance?

If you or someone you know has been charged with Obstructed Tag, DUI, or any other criminal offense in the Tampa Bay area, the Law Office of Timothy Sullivan is here to help. Our team has extensive experience defending motorists in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco Counties.

Call us at 727-855-3847 for a free consultation.