Counterfeit License Plates, Stickers, and Permits
Counterfeiting or unlawfully possessing specified plates or stickers, or prohibited permit production or distribution.
Florida Statute
§ 320.26
Counterfeit License Plates, Stickers, and Permits
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 16, 2026
Quick Summary
Identify whether the item is a counterfeit plate/sticker or an altered/counterfeit commercial cab card or permit, and whether the conduct is making, possessing, selling, or disposing of the specified item. Confirm authenticity with issuance records and obtain the evidence linking the person to the prohibited act; unauthorized manufacture or sale also requires checking written department authority. A genuine plate assigned to a different vehicle is a separate §320.261 issue and is not necessarily counterfeit.
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Summary sources
Classification Matrix
Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.
Prohibited plate, sticker, cab-card, or permit act
F.S. 320.26(1)-(2)
One charged statutory track under (1)(a) OR (1)(b).
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1AND — Required
AND — all applicable requirements
The defendant committed ONE prohibited act under (1)(a): counterfeited or possessed counterfeit registration plates or validation/mobile-home stickers; OR manufactured, sold, or disposed of plates or stickers without written department authority; OR committed a prohibited cab-card or permit act under (1)(b).
Plain language: Prove this requirement and any alternatives stated within it.
- Element 2Conditional
Additional charge-specific facts
For the (1)(b) track, establish counterfeiting, alteration, or manufacture of a specified IRP cab card or permit, OR sale or disposal without written department authority. Establish the selected item and any authorization facts.
Plain language: Required only for the selected cab-card or permit track.
Important Definitions
Important Definitions
Specified permit items
International Registration Plan cab cards, trip permits, special temporary permits, and temporary operational permits listed in (1)(b).
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Quick Reference
Preserve the item and document how it is counterfeit or altered and who possessed, produced, or distributed it. A genuine mismatched plate instead implicates 320.261.
Classification
Distinguish a counterfeit item from a genuine plate assigned to another vehicle. Consult the classification rows for the exact charged track; prove the additional facts for any enhancement.
Official Source
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes, section 320.26, on September 16, 2026. Apply the law effective on the incident date; the five-year frequency analysis is not a substitute for current charging requirements.