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Court: Don't hide the words on your Florida license plates

Florida License Tag
Posted at 12:45 PM, May 09, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-09 12:45:49-04

MIAMI (AP) — Florida drivers beware: an appeals court has ruled that none of the lettering on vehicle license tags can be obscured by frames or anything else.

The 3rd District Court of Appeal decision Wednesday came in the case of a driver who was stopped by an officer because the words “MyFlorida.com” were obscured by a tag frame. The officer later found drugs in the car and the driver was charged with a narcotics offense.

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: Lakeland woman receivesticketfor license plate frame covering part of 'MyFlorida.com'

A lower court tossed out incriminating statements the driver made to the officer, concluding that the tag frame didn’t violate requirements of state law regarding display of license tags.

The appeals court disagreed, sending the case back for further proceedings. The judges ruled that state law clearly says drivers cannot obscure any lettering or numbers on tags.

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