Is it illegal to have a frame around your license plate?

In most places, having a frame around your license plate is legal as long as it does not obscure or alter any required information (such as the plate numbers, the state or jurisdiction name, and registration stickers). Many jurisdictions explicitly prohibit frames or covers that block or distort these details, and tinted or reflective “covers” are often illegal even if they seem clear.

What the law generally requires

Across the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia, the core rule is the same: your plate must be fully legible and unobstructed at all times. Laws differ in wording and enforcement, but they converge on protecting visibility and readability for officers and automated systems.

What must remain visible on the plate

These are the elements that most laws and regulations require to remain visible and readable; a frame that covers any of them can trigger a citation.

• All letters and numbers in the registration sequence
• The name of the issuing state, province, or country (e.g., “California,” “New York,” “Ontario”)
• Registration stickers/tabs or validation decals (month/year), if used in your jurisdiction
• Security/reflective features and the plate’s reflective surface (don’t dull, tint, or cover them)
• Entire plate field needed for recognition by cameras (avoid “slim” frames that creep into the character area)

If any of these elements are even partly obscured or harder to read—especially at an angle, at night, or from a distance—many officers will consider the plate unlawful as displayed.

How rules differ by place (examples, 2024–2025)

Below are representative examples to illustrate how jurisdictions treat plate frames and covers. Always verify locally, because wording and enforcement can vary city to city and may change.

• California (USA): Frames are allowed, but nothing may obstruct or impair reading or recognition of the plate, including reflective coatings or coverings. “Plate covers” (even clear/tinted plastic) are broadly prohibited. Relevant: Vehicle Code §§ 5201, 5201.1.
• New York (USA): It’s a violation if any part of the plate—numbers, state name, or stickers—is covered. Enforcement is strict; even minor encroachment on the “New York” legend is commonly cited. Relevant: VTL § 402.
• New Jersey (USA): Law focuses on keeping the alphanumeric characters and the state name visible; obscuring slogans like “Garden State” alone is not a violation. Frames that block the state name or numbers can still be ticketed. Relevant: N.J.S.A. 39:3-33, as clarified by court decisions and subsequent amendments.
• Texas (USA): Prohibits obscuring the state name, numbers/letters, or registration details; also bans devices that distort legibility. Frames that cover any of this can be cited. Relevant: Transportation Code § 504.945.
• Florida (USA): Requires that the letters, numbers, and the name of the issuing state remain clearly visible and legible; covers that hinder legibility are prohibited. Relevant: § 316.605, F.S.
• Washington State (USA): Bans plate frames/covers that alter appearance, affect reflectivity, or cover identifying info or tabs. Relevant: RCW 46.16A.200.
• Illinois (USA): It’s unlawful to use any tinted or reflective cover or a frame that obstructs the reading of any part of the plate. Relevant: 625 ILCS 5/3-413.
• Ontario (Canada): It’s an offense to obscure any portion of the plate; enforcement includes dealer frames that cover the crown, slogan, or province name. Relevant: Highway Traffic Act, s. 13(2).
• United Kingdom: Plates must meet visibility and spacing rules; anything that obscures characters or the required margins, or alters reflectivity, is prohibited. “Anti-camera” covers are illegal. Relevant: Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001.
• Australia (varies by state/territory): Generally legal if nothing is obscured; anti-flash or reflective covers are banned. Check your state’s vehicle registration regulations (e.g., NSW, Victoria).

The consistent theme: a frame is fine until it interferes with visibility of legally required details. “Covers” and visibility-altering devices draw the most scrutiny and are frequently illegal.

Common plate accessories that can get you ticketed

Beyond simple frames, certain accessories are widely restricted or banned because they reduce readability or attempt to defeat enforcement cameras.

• Tinted, smoked, or reflective plastic plate covers (often illegal even if marketed as “clear”)
• Diffuse/anti-flash shields, sprays, or films designed to foil cameras
• Flip-up, retractable, or motorized plate holders
• Frames that cover registration stickers/tabs or the state/province name
• Anything that alters the plate’s color, reflectivity, or character spacing

If a product claims to “protect privacy,” “block flash,” or “avoid tickets,” it’s almost certainly illegal in many jurisdictions and can lead to fines or vehicle inspection failures.

Practical tips to stay compliant

These steps can help you use a plate frame without risking a stop or citation.

1. Choose a slim, legal-design frame that does not encroach on the state/province name, numbers, or stickers.
2. Avoid any cover, shield, tint, or film—stick to a frame only.
3. Mount the plate squarely, at the required height, and free of dirt or snow; keep it clean and well lit.
4. With the car on, check visibility from multiple angles and at night; if any part is shaded or blocked, reposition or change the frame.
5. Confirm local rules: look up your state/province’s vehicle code section on plate display or ask your DMV/licensing authority.

A quick visual check and a conservative choice of frame usually prevent problems, especially in states with strict enforcement.

Penalties and enforcement

Obstructed plate violations are typically infractions, with fines ranging from about $25 to over $200 depending on the jurisdiction. In many places, an obscured plate provides a lawful basis for a traffic stop, which can lead to additional citations if other issues are found. Some states also add court costs or require correction within a set timeframe.

Bottom line

It’s generally legal to have a frame around your license plate, but only if it leaves every required element fully visible and doesn’t change the plate’s appearance or reflectivity. Avoid any kind of cover, keep the frame slim, and make sure the state/province name, numbers, and stickers are unobstructed.

Summary

License plate frames are usually legal; frames and covers that obscure or alter required information are not. The safest approach is a simple, slim frame with no cover, installed so that the plate’s numbers, jurisdiction name, stickers, and reflective surface are completely visible from all angles. Check your local code for specifics, because enforcement and phrasing vary by jurisdiction.

Is it illegal to have a frame in a licence plate in CA?

(d) A casing, shield, frame, border, product, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by an electronic device operated by state or local law enforcement, an electronic device operated in connection with a toll road, high-occupancy toll lane, toll bridge, or other toll …

What is Texas law about license plates?

Texas requires vehicles to display two identical, metal license plates—one on the front and one on the rear—that are securely fastened, clearly visible, and legible. As of July 1, 2025, Texas eliminated the use of temporary paper tags in favor of metal plates for all new vehicle purchases to reduce fraud and improve security, with fines up to $200 for non-compliance.
 
Key Requirements

• Two Plates: You must display two license plates on your vehicle, one on the front and one on the rear. 
• Metal Plates Only: Most temporary paper tags have been eliminated and replaced by official metal license plates issued by the state. 
• Securely Fastened: Plates must be securely fastened to the vehicle to prevent them from hanging down or being obscured. 
• Visible & Legible: Both plates must be clearly visible and legible from the front and the rear of the vehicle. 
• Location: Plates are to be mounted on the exterior front and exterior rear of the vehicle. 

Why the Changes?

• Reduced Fraud: . Opens in new tabThe switch to permanent metal plates for all new car purchases is intended to make it harder for criminals to use fraudulent paper tags to disguise vehicles. 
• Improved Enforcement: . Opens in new tabMetal tags, which may be color-coded and include security features, make it easier for law enforcement to identify registered vehicles and track them. 

Penalties for Non-Compliance 

• Fines: Failing to meet the front and rear license plate requirements can result in a fine of up to $200.

Are borders around number plates legal?

Number plates may optionally have the following:
a coloured border as allowed by the rules; a national flag/emblem as specifically allowed by the rules; national identifier letters as specifically allowed by the rules.

Is it legal to have a frame around your license plate?

Is It Illegal to Have a Frame Around Your License Plate? Most states allow the installation of license plate frames as long as they do not obstruct or alter any of the information on the plate, such as the state name, registration number, or stickers.