New York City officials announced on Tuesday that they are introducing new regulations to target drivers who hide or obscure their license plates in order to avoid toll charges and traffic cameras. This move comes just two days after the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan and as part of broader efforts to address the issue of “ghost cars.”
The proposed regulations, published on Tuesday in the City Record, seek to clarify the types of license plate obstructions that could lead to penalties. The new rules would set clearer visibility standards for license plates, making it illegal for plates to be covered by anything—including dirt, rust, glass, plastic, or any other material—that renders them unreadable, hidden, or distorted, according to the New York City Department of Transportation.
In New York City, parking with an obstructed license plate can result in a fine of $50, while intentionally blocking the visibility of a plate can lead to fines exceeding $300 under state law.
Congestion pricing, which was introduced on Sunday after lengthy legal battles, imposes a toll of $9 on most drivers who enter Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours.
City officials argue that the new tolling system will help reduce traffic congestion and pollution, while also funding improvements to the subway system. However, the program has sparked intense debate and lawsuits. Some drivers have resorted to obscuring their license plates to avoid being charged—a longstanding issue for toll-collecting agencies in the area.
The new regulatory measures also come in the context of a multi-year initiative by Mayor Eric Adams’ administration to address the problem of “ghost cars”—vehicles with altered or counterfeit license plates designed to evade toll readers and traffic cameras. Since 2022, authorities have seized more than 73,000 of these vehicles across the city, linking many of them to violent crimes and hit-and-runs.
“Drivers who obscure their license plate think they are above the law and put everyone at risk,” said Ydanis Rodriguez, the city’s transportation commissioner, in a statement. “By expanding the definition of what is illegal, we will be able to hold reckless drivers accountable and create safer and more accessible streets for all.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch added that police are “dedicated to holding accountable motorists who operate with impunity on New York City streets.”
A public hearing for the proposed rule will take place on February 6 at 10 a.m., with written comments due by 5 p.m. that same day.
Here are the details of the proposed regulations from the Department of Transportation:
• Visibility of License Plates: Plates must be clearly displayed, securely attached, and positioned between 12–48 inches from the ground whenever possible. Plates must remain clean, not covered by any glass or plastic material, and in a condition that ensures they remain legible.
• Prohibition of Vehicle Covers: Vehicles cannot be parked with covers that obscure the make, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), license plates, registration stickers, or inspection stickers. Covers that block access to the vehicle are also prohibited if the vehicle is parked in violation of posted parking rules.
• Ban on Obscured, Concealed, or Distorted License Plates: License plates cannot be concealed by glass, plastic, or any other material that alters or obscures their visibility or photographic image. Materials that imitate legitimate plates but are not lawfully issued are strictly prohibited. Plates must not be obstructed by any part of the vehicle or by items carried on it, except for official tolling transponders installed according to the mounting instructions.
{Matzav.com}