A 2004 view of I-95 in Philadelphia (Getty Images).
Motorists caught using devices to conceal or switch their license plates could face a stiff fine under a new law Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Monday.
Act 150 makes it illegal to possess, purchase, install, manufacture or sell license plate flipping devices. Those who violate the law could face a $2,000 penalty, according to the law, which passed unanimously in the state House and Senate, with final approval in the upper chamber Nov. 13.
State Reps. Pat Gallagher (D-Philadelphia) and Greg Scott (D-Montgomery), who were co-prime sponsors of the legislation, said it resolves ambiguities in existing law about whether the devices are legal.
With the law’s passage, Pennsylvania joins a growing number of states to explicitly outlaw license plate flippers, which Gallagher and Scott said can prevent vehicles from being identified to avoid tolls and tickets or for more nefarious reasons.
“House Bill 2426 represents an important move toward accountability on our roads,” Scott said. “By banning these devices statewide, we are closing a loophole and strengthening public safety across Pennsylvania.”