NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – City officials said Tuesday they’d proposed new rules to crack down on drivers who obscure their license plates to avoid tolls and traffic cams—an announcement that came two days after the launch of congestion pricing in Manhattan and amid efforts to combat "ghost cars."
The proposed rules, published in the City Record on Tuesday, aims to expand the types of possible license plate obstructions subject to enforcement. The new rules would “more clearly establish visibility requirements for license plates, prohibiting anything—including dirt, rust, glass or plastic coverings, substances, or materials—that renders a license plate unreadable, obscured, concealed, or distorted,” according to the city Department of Transportation.
Parking with an obstructed plate can result in a fine of $50 in NYC, while purposely obstructing plates can lead to a fine of more than $300 under state law.
Congestion pricing began on Sunday after years of legal wrangling. The tolling program charges most drivers $9 during peak hours to enter Manhattan at or below 60th Street.
Officials said the program will help battle traffic and pollution while funding subway improvements, but it has been the subject of impassioned debate and lawsuits. Some drivers have taken to obscuring their plates to get around the charge—a longtime issue for the area’s toll-collecting agencies.
The proposed crackdown also comes amid a years-long initiative by Mayor Eric Adams' administration to crack down on "ghost cars," or vehicles with forged or altered plates that evade traffic cameras and toll readers. Authorities have seized over 73,000 of the vehicles citywide since 2022, saying they're often linked 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 said police were “dedicated to holding accountable motorists who operate with impunity on New York City Streets.”
A public hearing on the proposed rule will be held Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. The deadline for written comments is Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.
Here are details about the proposed rules from the DOT:
• Visibility of License Plates: Plates must be properly displayed, securely fastened, and positioned between 12–48 inches from the ground whenever possible. Plates must be kept clean, not covered by glass or plastic material, and in a condition that ensures they are readable.
• Prohibition of Vehicle Covers: No vehicle may be parked with a cover that obscures the make, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), license plates, registration stickers, or inspection stickers. Covers that restrict access to the vehicle are also prohibited when the vehicle is in violation of posted parking rules.
• Ban on Obscured, Concealed, or Distorted License Plates: Plates cannot be covered by glass, plastic, or any material that distorts or obscures their visibility or photographic image. Materials mimicking legitimate license plates but not lawfully issued are strictly prohibited. License plates must not be obstructed by any part of the vehicle or by items carried on it, except for officially issued tolling transponders installed according to mounting instructions.