NYC Drivers Facing Fines for Dirty License Plates

New York’s streets get even more strict for drivers

In order to crack down on cars dodging New York City’s tolls and other traffic enforcement like speed cameras, The Big Apple will launch a new effort on April 16th, slapping drivers with a $50 fine for obscured license plates. While some New York City drivers have purposely obscured their plates to avoid charges from programs like new congestion pricing, those unintentionally overlooking their dirty or rusty license plates could also catch a fine. The city claims to have lost tens of millions in revenue from obscured license plates, leading to a different law last year that subjected more egregious plate obscurement efforts, such as plate covers, distorted plates, or fake plates, to a $100-$500 fine. 

Vehicles obscuring their license plates are also referred to as ghost cars. Since New York’s Mayor Eric Adams took office in 2022, city hall officials have reported over 73,000 ghost vehicles and unregistered cars. Out-of-state drivers must also follow New York’s guidelines starting next month, but the restriction for mounting front and back license plates at a certain height is limited to locals. The ghost plate restrictions also apply to parked cars.

“Drivers who obscure their license plates are not just breaking the law — they are putting everyone at risk. Automated camera enforcement has been proven to reduce speeding and lower pedestrian fatalities, but it can only work if plates are visible, which is why these strengthened rules are critical to holding violators accountable and protecting all New Yorkers,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

New York is looking to make serious bank from traffic

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch also noted that over the past year, several ghost plates taken off the city’s streets linked to larger crimes. Officials place revenue from fines toward transit repairs—which is especially needed for areas like the city’s aging subway infrastructure. Manhattan’s new congestion pricing program, which is in effect 24/7, charges drivers entering the borough’s areas below 60th Street a toll ranging from $2.25-$9 for passenger vehicles. Motorcycle tolls under congestion pricing run from $1.05-$4.50, and trucks and buses face charges between $3.60-$21.60. Entering the city during off-peak hours outside 5 am-9 am incurs lower tolls. New York City aims to generate $15 billion from its congestion program, which was implemented in January, for transit repairs.

Awareness of ghost plate presence in New York City has grown significantly since congestion pricing, and the topic of New York traffic enforcement has gotten even more complicated with President Trump ordering congestion pricing to stop by Friday through the Federal Highway Administration. However, an MTA lawsuit against the directive will likely delay immediate federal government action.

Final thoughts

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is not messing around when it comes to enforcing the ghost plate crackdown. Last week, Hochul posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “I don’t care if you’re driving a Tesla or a toboggan — if you’ve got ghost plates, we’re taking you off the road.” Hochul also met with President Trump last week to advocate keeping the city’s congestion pricing, noting that the program is succeeding in its goal of reducing traffic in the business district. This success includes the MTA reporting a 10% reduction in cars entering the tolling zone beneath 60th Street. Essentially, New York City drivers shouldn’t hold their breath for changes to recent traffic enforcement measures.