Way back in 2014 the peeling plate fiasco began. Over ten years later there are still a lot of peeling New York State license plates. What’s going on? Why are they still on the road?
We all drive around and see that some license plates are completely missing the outer layer making the plate numbers unreadable. Others are partly delaminated with sections of the plastic flapping in the wind.
There was an issue in 2014 where the surface coating delaminated from the plates. One would think that after ten years, and being able to replace the plate for free, that this problem would be long gone. But, it’s not.
New York State DMV still processes a lot of plate changes. Up to 24,000 each year.
“The State Custom Plates Unit processes on average 2,000 peeling plate applications each month. Consumers have a responsibility to make sure their plates are readable. They can be ticketed for driving with unreadable plates,” said Tim O’Brien from the NYS DMV.
Suffolk County Police told South Shore Press they do not log peeling plates specifically when ticketing for unreadable plates, but in 2024 they ticked 4,863 drivers and so far in 2025 they have tickets 3,409. Some portion of those are peeling plate violations.
Intentionally obstructing or altering your license plate can get you a hefty ticket, but so can driving around with a peeling plate that you never addressed. Suffolk County Police department has in the past done task force like enforcement efforts aimed at unreadable license plates.
If you have a peeling plate, get ahead of the problem, replace it, and avoid a big fine. A fine of $150 plus administrative fee is a big price for something you can get fixed for free. If you want the same plate number that will cost you $20.
Customers who want the next available standard plate number for free can email the DMV at: dmv.sm.peelingplates@dmv.ny.gov
You should include their current plate number in the subject line and the following information in the email:
- Name as it appears on the registration
- Address (please update your address, if not current, prior to e-mailing your request)
- City, state, ZIP code
- Daytime telephone number
- Peeling plate number
- Attach a photograph of the peeling plates
- To replace your plates and keep your plate number, complete the Application for Replacement Plates - Keep Same Plate Number (PDF) (PP-7 that you can find on the DMV website). Mail the completed application, a photograph of the peeling plates, and a $20 check or money order (made payable to ‘Commissioner of Motor Vehicles’) to the Custom Plates Unit.
- Allow 4 to 6 weeks for your new plates to arrive in the mail. DMV mails your registration/windshield sticker separately from the plates.