Authorities in Florida are at the moment coping with an epidemic of the automotive selection. Automotive homeowners everywhere in the area are customizing their license plates to the acute they usually’re violating Florida state legal guidelines whereas doing it.
Miami’s ABC 10 stories that Florida Freeway Patrol have been coping with an increasing number of violations involving personalized plates. These plates are extra than simply customized digits you’ll be able to decide up on the DMV; the entire plate itself is being modified. As Florida Freeway Patrol identified, it’s a violation of the state’s automobile legal guidelines.
At a current unique automotive present at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Dawn, altered license plates stood out as a lot because the high-end autos themselves—customized, trendy, and undeniably distinctive, however unlawful.
“We are attempting to cease the present pattern that we’re seeing,” mentioned Lt. Alex Camacho of the FHP.
Florida legislation prohibits altering state-issued license plates in any method, together with altering colours, airbrushing designs, or making use of vinyl wraps. The reflective coating is crucial for readability and security, in accordance with Camacho.
“When you put this tag in your automotive, we’re going to seize that tag. You’re going to get your automobile towed and get an infraction for it,” warned Camacho. “It’s larger than individuals saying it’s not a giant deal.
The issue is a big deal in South Florida. Citations there have surged 98 p.c; authorities say of the 893 citations issued throughout the state in 2024, 78 p.c (702) had been issued within the South Florida counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Seashore.
Complicating issues are companies that exist solely to customise license plates. One of many larger names within the enterprise is known as Platemakrs, which is doing a number of the most excessive license plate designs I’ve ever seen. Need an airbrushed plate in purple that reads “HELLYEA” with a picture of Dodge’s Hellcat emblem? That is the place for you. They’ll even do plates for different states. Sadly they’re serving to contribute to the criminality. ABC 10 reached out to Platemakrs and received no response so that they tried to confront somebody popping out of the enterprise.
Earlier this week, Native 10 Information Investigator Jeff Weinsier confronted somebody outdoors the enterprise.
“I needed to speak to you guys about Platemakrs?” Weiniser requested a person getting out of a automotive that has been parked outdoors the enterprise a number of days.
“Who’s you guys?” the person requested Weinsier.
“Platemakrs,” Weinsier replied.
“I’ve nothing to do with that,” the person claimed.”
The person did have one thing to do with it. ABC 10 came upon the person’s identify is John Georgetti. State information present that Georgetti is considered one of Platemakrs’ homeowners. He additionally has personalized plates of his personal as ABC 10 noticed one on the again of his Ferrari. Court docket information additionally present that he was ticketed for the plate earlier this yr.
As a reminder, Florida solely permits particular, state-sanctioned personalized plates obtainable solely by means of the DMV. And once I say particular, I imply issues that vary from corny like “Golf Capital Of The World” with a picture of a golfer in mid swing to issues that border on political like “Help Regulation Enforcement” or “Select Life.” You’ll get about so far as sovereign residents when you attempt to jazz up your locations any extra.
