Improper license plate display
Florida Statute § 316.605
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
A vehicle on a public road must display its assigned plate outside the body, securely fastened against swinging, generally 12–60 inches high and within 24 inches of the centerline. Required characters/decal must be clear and legible from 100 feet, and the plate normally reads horizontally, not inverted or reversed. Check exceptions for truck-tractor front plates, qualifying former military vehicles, motorcycle mounting, and out-of-state vehicles. Document actual visibility or mounting defects; knowing alteration/concealment has a separate criminal provision in §320.061.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Registration / Plate
- Type
- Non-Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Nonmoving infraction
- Points
- 0
- Fine / Penalty
- $30 base nonmoving penalty; offense-specific penalties/court costs may differ
Base fines are not the total payable amount. Costs, enforcement method, crash consequences, prior history, and court disposition can change penalties or points. A reported zero does not rule out license suspension or revocation.
Court & Enforcement
Court & Enforcement
- Mandatory Court
- No, generally
- NTA Eligible
- N/A — civil citation
- Custodial Arrest
- No — civil infraction (absent separate lawful basis)
NTA means notice to appear. Eligibility is conditional; these fields do not independently authorize arrest. Confirm the exact statutory track, lawful arrest authority, traffic procedure, and agency policy.
Arrest authority guideCivil infractions resulting in death or serious bodily injury require a hearing under §318.19.