What's happening
This bill bans the use of digital license plate frames in motor vehicles and sets a $65 fine for violations.
Why it matters
Targets devices that can display changing images or text. the bill specifically bans any license plate frame capable of producing still or scrolling digital content, aiming to prevent distractions or misuse (such as altering plate visibility or displaying unauthorized messages).
Presumption of use based on connection and operability. if a digital license plate frame is found connected to a power source and working, it is presumed to be in use, putting the burden on the vehicle operator to prove otherwise if challenged.
Limits enforcement to fines, not property seizure. the legislation explicitly states that digital license plate frames cannot be seized or forfeited simply due to this violation, unless another law allows it, which limits the consequences to monetary penalties and not loss of property.
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Who cares
Drivers using digital license plate frames
The bill would prohibit using frames capable of displaying still or scrolling images or text and impose a $65 fine for violations.
Police and traffic enforcement officers
A powered, operable digital frame on a vehicle would be presumptive evidence of use by its driver, subject to rebuttal with credible and reliable evidence.
Vehicle owners with digital license plate frames
The bill would not itself authorize seizure or forfeiture of a frame unless otherwise provided by law.
Headline styles
Ban Digital License Plate Frames
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
420
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. M. G. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting the use of digital license plate frames
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 397-c to read as follows:
§ 397-c. Digital license plate frames prohibited. 1. No digital license plate frame shall be used in any motor vehicle. The presence on such vehicle of a digital license plate frame connected to a power source and in an operable condition is presumptive evidence of its use by any person operating such vehicle. Such presumption shall be rebutted by any credible and reliable evidence which tends to show that such digital license plate frame was not in use.
2. For purposes of this section the term, "digital license plate frame" shall mean any digital license plate frame capable of producing still or scrolling images or texts.
3. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of a digital license plate frame, unless otherwise provided by law.
4. A violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of sixty-five dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03059-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.