You see it everyday. Perhaps you are even experiencing it. It’s the dreaded peeling license plate! Many New York State drivers are suffering from “delamination” of their license plates. In other words, the top layers of the plates are peeling off. The plates become “naked!”
So, what do you do? Well, New York State will replace any license plate that suffers from “delamination” free of charge. If you want to keep the same plate number though, you will be asked to pay a fee. However, if your plate is damaged due to some other reason (crushed, torn, faded or cracked), you will be asked to pay for a new registration fee and plates. You will also be charged if you want to keep the same plate number.
To request new plates, call the DMV Custom Plates Unit at 518-402-4838 between the hours of 8 AM and 4 PM Monday through Friday. You will be required to provide a picture of your “delaminated” license plate. Finally, State Police advise that you could be pulled over for unreadable plates that are damaged or “delaminated.” So get those bad plates replaced!