Florida drivers may soon be required to display license plates on the front of their vehicles, in addition to the existing rear plates, under a proposal that has advanced in the state Senate.
The Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved a bill (SB 92), primarily focused on body shop regulations, that also includes the front license plate mandate. If passed, Florida would become the 30th state to require dual license plate display for most vehicles.
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Senator Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized the proposal’s aim to deter hit-and-run incidents. “As people are speeding away from these scenes, there’s a lot of cameras out there. And they can’t always see the back of a (car),” Gruters explained.
Senator Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, who suggested the amendment, highlighted the increased accountability that front license plates would provide. “The witnesses will many times see the front of the car, but not see the rear of the car,” Grall stated. “And sometimes there are repeat offenders who know exactly how to get away from an accident without having their plates seen.”
The proposed change is intended to assist law enforcement in identifying vehicles involved in accidents and other crimes, particularly in cases where only the front of the vehicle is captured by surveillance cameras or witnessed by bystanders.
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Senator Gruters acknowledged that concerns regarding the cost of implementing the new requirement have been raised. He stated his intention to address these issues before the bill moves to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee.
“We want to set the least amount of cost to motorists and the state,” Gruters said, adding that license plates are manufactured at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, which may help mitigate some of the cost.
The bill’s progression through the Senate will be closely watched by Florida motorists, who may soon face the requirement to display two license plates on their vehicles.
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