License Plate Covers Now Banned in New York State – Penalties Increased For Offenders

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is reminding all New Yorker’s the sale of license plate covers are now banned with the penalties for those who are convicted of obscuring a license plate to avoid detection or toll collections has increased.

The new law took effect at the start of the month and is part of an ongoing effort by the Governor’s Office to crack down on “ghost” plates and “ghost” cars that use fake or altered license plates.

“These changes to the law are meant to make sure that everyone who makes use of public infrastructure is paying their fair share to use them,” said DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Toughening the law will also help authorities crack down on criminals who try to avoid detection when committing crimes by making use of ghost plates or license plate coverings.”

Penalties have increased for covering a license plate with either glass or a plastic covering, or any other material/substance that may discord a recorded or photographic image of the plate taken by a traffic camera or toll reader.

The DMV says monetary penalties are increasing in the range between $100 and $500 for anyone convicted. The offender will also have to surrender the cover or material used. Repeat offenders of three or more convictions within 5 years can now face a 90-day suspension of their vehicle registration.