Lauderhill gets briefing on new Florida law banning obscuring license‑plate covers; police urge public education

City Attorney and police staff briefed the commission on a Florida law that tightened prohibitions on obscuring license plates and introduced criminal penalties for certain conduct. Staff emphasized the change is state‑law (enacted in Tallahassee) and recommended a local public‑education effort so residents know the new offenses and penalties.

Staff cited the statutes by number as explained at the meeting: state statute 320.061 addressing altering a license plate and a newer statute, referenced in the presentation as 320.262, that prohibits "license plate obscuring devices" — devices designed to switch, cover or otherwise prevent a plate from being read by cameras or officers.

Police and legal staff said examples include plastic covers, sprays that defeat automated camera readability, and flip/obscuring mechanisms sold online. They summarized penalties described in the statutes: a second‑degree misdemeanor (up to 60 days in jail and/or up to $500 fine) for knowing violations of certain provisions, a first‑degree misdemeanor for manufacturing or distributing some devices (up to a year and/or $1,000), and a third‑degree felony if an obscuring device is used to facilitate another crime (up to five years and/or $5,000). Police staff noted that many citations for minor infractions are handled administratively and are unlikely to result in jail in routine cases.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about dealer plates, temporary tags and whether a stolen plate situation allows temporary handwritten tags; police staff said if a plate is stolen the vehicle owner should obtain a police report and temporary DMV paperwork rather than improvise handwritten tags.

The commission did not take legislative action (the law is state level) but asked staff to prepare a public‑education campaign so residents know what constitutes an illegal cover or obscuring device and what penalties may apply.