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New York City is officially cracking down on obstructed license plates and ghost license plates: starting tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16, a new set of rules regarding license plates will go into effect in NYC.
Originally announced in March, the guidelines are designed to prohibit any type of obstruction—whether caused by dirt, coverings, rust, or other materials—that could be used to evade tolls or traffic laws. Although the laws were formally adopted on March 17, enforcement begins tomorrow.
What are the new rules for license plates in NYC?
To put it simply, your license plate needs to be real and fully visible to the cameras positioned around town.
Here is a list of all the rules going into effect tomorrow, according to the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT):
- Cameras must be able to capture and read license plates, meaning they cannot be distorted by coatings or materials that distort or reflect light.
- License plates must be securely fastened and readable without plastic or glass covers.
- New York plates must be between 12-48 inches from the ground.
- Fake or altered plates are prohibited.
- Plates concealed by the vehicle or its contents are prohibited.
- All vehicle covers that cover license plates, registration stickers, VIN and other information are prohibited. Covers that restrict access to an illegally parked vehicle are also prohibited.
Drivers caught with an improperly displayed or obstructed license plate could face a $50 fine.
Do the new rules affect custom license plates?
Yes, the new rules also apply to custom license plates, which must be fully visible, undistorted, securely fastened and compliant with all updated regulations.