New Pennsylvania law bans license plate flippers

December 26, 2024

Keith Goble

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A new Pennsylvania law forbids the use of license plate flippers. A similar pursuit is underway at the New Jersey statehouse.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed into law a bill to explicitly prohibit the use of flipping devices throughout the commonwealth. The Keystone State is following in the footsteps of states that include Tennessee, Texas and Washington to outlaw use of the devices that can be found online for a couple hundred dollars.

License plate flippers were identified earlier this year in the city of Philadelphia as a problem that needs to be addressed. In April, the city council took action to clearly prohibit flipping devices within the city. Anyone caught purchasing, installing, possessing or selling a device faces up to a $2,000 fine.

The new Pennsylvania law takes the license plate flippers ban statewide.

Previously HB2426, the new law defines a registration plate flipping device as a manual, electric or mechanical device that is installed on a motor vehicle and that can hide the vehicle’s registration from being visible by flipping the plate.

As of Jan. 17, 2025, it will be illegal throughout the commonwealth to possess, operate a vehicle with, purchase, install, possess for the purpose of installation, manufacture, sell or offer to sell or distribute a license plate flipper. Violators will face up to $2,000 fines.

Reps. Pat Gallagher, D-Philadelphia, and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, were behind the new rule to clarify the illegality of flipping devices.

“House Bill 2426 represents an important move toward accountability on our roads,” Scott said in prepared remarks. “License plates are vital for vehicle identification, and it’s crucial that our laws clearly prohibit the use of license plate flipping devices, which allow drivers to evade identification.”

Gallagher added that when affixed to vehicles, these devices can be used to conceal a license plate, modify its appearance or switch one license plate to another for purposes such as avoiding tolls, reckless driving or even more nefarious criminal activity.

New Jersey bill

Across the state line in New Jersey, an Assembly bill is intended to clamp down on the use of license plate flippers to evade tolls.

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, D-Burlington, and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, D-Bergen, A3751 would ban the devices and increase penalties for their use.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reports the agency lost about $40 million in toll revenue in 2022 due to obscured or missing license plates.

“This bill cracks down on those who try to avoid paying tolls through unlawful means and would ensure that individuals who attempt to evade the tolls are held accountable with appropriate penalties,” Murphy stated.

Murphy added that it is also a public safety concern, “as it makes it more difficult to track or identify drivers involved in accidents or unlawful activities, which can compromise the safety of others and hinder law enforcement efforts.”

A3751 defines a license plate flipper as any device or technology that enables a registration plate to be changed to another registration plate with different identification marks, either manually or electronically.

Currently, New Jersey law states that a person convicted of displaying a fictitious number on a motor vehicle registration plate is subject to a fine of up to $500 or 60 days in jail.

The bill would increase the fine to a maximum $750 and/or up to 60 days behind bars. If the offense is committed during or to aid in a crime, offense or another violation, an offender would face a fine of up to $1,500 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee voted unanimously on Monday, Dec. 16 to advance the bill. It now awaits further Assembly consideration. LL

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