Yahoo Autos Question Of The Day: Is It Illegal To Paint A License Plate?
Question: Is it illegal to paint a license plate?
Some people can’t get enough of customizing their rides. Accessories, decals, stripes. You can work hard to get that rad, midnight black, matte finish only to have to look at a bright white license plate. Is it illegal to paint my license plate?
Short answer: Yes. Yes, it is.
Your license plate is the property of the state where your car is registered. It is given to you to provide identification for the vehicle. States started issuing vehicle licenses over a hundred years ago. Originally, owners were given a number and then required to make their own plate. Massachusetts claims to have issued the first license plate in 1903.
The Law
Altering a license plate is illegal but penalties vary by state. In Arizona, you could be fined a minimum of $300. In Florida, it is considered a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation.
