Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC’s crackdown on obscured license plates set to begin April 16
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Mar 18, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Marc A. Hermann / MTA
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Mar 18, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Starting April 16, New York City drivers could face a $50 fine if they’re caught with an obscured license plate as part of a new push announced in January that aims to curb toll evasion and improve street safety.
City and state officials have been working for years to stop drivers from tampering with their plates to dodge tolls, red lights and speed cameras, costing the city tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue. The new crackdown comes just months after the launch of congestion pricing, which is expected to generate $15 billion for transit repairs.
“These new rules will strengthen our ability to crackdown on this problem and make our street safer for all," NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said in a statement.
Under the new rules, license plates must be fully visible and mounted between 12 to 48 inches from the ground. The rules also explicitly ban plate covers, as well as distorted or fake plates.
The updated rules broaden the city’s definition of illegally covered plates, making it clear that anything "including dirt, rust, glass or plastic coverings, substances or materials" that renders a plate unreadable is prohibited.
Drivers caught with obscured plates on parked or idling cars will get hit with a $50 fine. Additionally, a state traffic law passed last year imposes fines ranging from $100 to $500 for the same violation.
According to a report published by the Citizens Budget Commission, the city lost more than $100 million in 2023 due to drivers covering their plates to evade tolls, red light and speed cameras. Mayor Eric Adams has vowed to crack down on "ghost cars" — vehicles with phony or obscured plates — with city officials reporting more than 73,000 ghost cars and unregistered vehicles seized since Adams took office in 2022.
City officials said the measures aim to hold reckless drivers accountable while recovering lost funds that could go toward improving transit infrastructure.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
transportation
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 5:43 p.m. ET
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
The Port Authority is replacing its ramshackle Midtown Bus Terminal. Riders will face years of headaches as the work is finished.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
News
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
The Port Authority is replacing its ramshackle Midtown Bus Terminal. Riders will face years of headaches as the work is finished.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC officials call for Target boycott, say ICE staged at Marble Hill lot before shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .