Fines start soon for new NYC license plate rules
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – New license plate rules go into effect soon in New York City, which could mean fines for drivers with obstructed plates.
The new rules, which apply to standing and parked vehicles, will take effect on April 16 and expand what is considered an obstructed plate, Department of Transportation officials said.
Parking with an obstructed plate will result in a $50 fine, officials said. The fine is the same for all infractions and does not increase with multiple infractions.
The rules prohibit glass and plastic coverings and any coatings that could distort a photograph of the plate – even dirt or rust can mean a plate is distorted, according to the DOT. The rules also prohibit fake plates and car coverings.
It’s part of the ongoing crackdown on ghost cars, which have fake or obscured license plates to avoid enforcement. Since law enforcement started enforcement, they’ve impounded over 4,000 cars, according to the MTA.
Officials have caught drivers covering their license plates to avoid congestion pricing tolls in Manhattan, according to the NYPD.