The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and NYPD unveiled a new set of proposed rules to crack down on license plate obstructions and reinforce efforts to enhance roadway safety and compliance.
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the initiative on Tuesday, Jan. 7, as part of a broader campaign targeting congestion pricing violators and ghost cars.
The new rules clearly define license plate visibility requirements, specifying that any substance, covering, or material—such as dirt, rust, glass, or plastic coverings—that makes a plate unreadable, obscured, or distorted is prohibited. Violators caught parking with obstructed plates could face a $50 fine.
This announcement comes amid a citywide multi-agency crackdown that has already resulted in the seizure of tens of thousands of ghost cars and unregistered motorized vehicles.
“Drivers who obscure their license plate think they are above the law and put everyone at risk,” said Rodriguez. “By expanding the definition of what is illegal, we will be able to hold reckless drivers accountable and create safer and more accessible streets for all.”
“The NYPD, in collaboration with our partner agencies, is dedicated to holding accountable motorists who operate with impunity on New York City streets,” stated Tisch. “Ensuring public safety is a shared responsibility among all road users, and our vigilant enforcement of traffic rules advances our mission to make people safe, to make them feel safe, and to improve the overall quality of life in our city.”
Council Member Robert Holden, who has been very vocal about the controversial congestion pricing tolls, slammed the DOT for the timing of these new rules.
“It’s amazing how quickly the DOT can act when their congestion scam tax is at stake, yet this is an issue I’ve been raising for years with no response,” he said. “We’ll see if they actually enforce these rule changes or if this ends up being just another empty announcement with no real teeth.”
Holden represents the Queens District 30 neighborhoods of Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, and Glendale. He believes the new tolls will “destroy Manhattan’s economy” and serve as a punishment to commuters in order to “line the MTA’s pockets.”
Meanwhile, Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar praised the DOT for the new rules. She has led the charge against ghost cars with her Ghostbuster Act, now numbered A759.
“At a time when congestion pricing will cause the ghost plate black market to boom, I commend the Department of Transportation for this proactive effort to crack down on dangerous ghost cars. DOT is clarifying existing regulations by explicitly prohibiting concealed or distorted plates, punishable by fine,” Rajkumar stated.
“These untraceable plates are costing us $200 million per year in toll revenue, in addition to being popular to hide stolen cars and getaway vehicles in crimes. My Ghostbuster Act will give teeth to DOT’s new regulations by empowering law enforcement to boot and tow ghost cars and conduct enforcement using VINs. Together, we will exorcise our City of ghost cars.”
Rajkumar’s Ghostbuster Act has empowered law enforcement to boot or tow vehicles with fake plates, revoke recognition of out-of-state paper plates, and confiscate tools used to obscure plates, further bolstering efforts to combat the public safety issue.
In 2024, the NYPD and DSNY removed over 7,500 ghost cars and 27,000 illegal motorized vehicles. Since the launch of a joint task force in September, more than 5,000 ghost cars have been taken off the streets.
Rajkumar, who represents the 38th Assembly district, which includes Glendale, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, and Ozone Park, is also currently campaigning to become New York City’s next Comptroller.
Public Hearing
A public hearing on the proposed license plate enforcement rules will take place online on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. The hearing will allow the public to comment and provide feedback on the proposed changes. Participants can join the hearing through Zoom or by phone.
For those unable to access the hearing online, it can be joined via phone by dialing 1-929-205-6099 and entering the access code 933 0789 0596, followed by the password 544662.
Written comments on the proposed rules will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Feb. 6, 2025. Comments can be submitted through the designated online portal.
Anyone wishing to speak at the hearing must register in advance by emailing rules@dot.nyc.gov by Monday, Feb. 5. The email should include the speaker’s name and affiliation.
