Starting July 1, a new Florida bill could change how both drivers and auto repair shops operate in a major way.
Senate Bill 92 introduces a series of new requirements for motor vehicle safety and repair reporting across the state. Most notably, the bill mandates that all licensed vehicles must now display a license plate on both the rear and the front, shifting away from Florida’s long-standing tradition of rear-only plates.
The bill, named the “Lilly Glaubach Act,” was created in response to the tragic 2022 hit-and-run that killed 13-year-old Lilly Glaubach as she rode her bike home from school.
Supporters of the law say it’s about increasing accountability, particularly in the face of Florida’s rising hit-and-run rates.
In 2023, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported more than 104,000 hit-and-run crashes, a figure that represents a persistent public safety issue. Of those, 271 resulted in fatalities.
Graduating senior Anissa Carby of Florida A&M University believes the proposed law could help ease the burden on families who lose loved ones or suffer injuries in these incidents.
“This bill will help give families closure and catch the person at fault much quicker,” Carby said. “Having a front plate increases the chances of identifying a vehicle from surveillance footage or eyewitness accounts. It’s a step toward justice.”
But not everyone is fully on board. The bill is also drawing criticism for the potential strain it may place on everyday drivers and already-busy DMVs.
Khamaria Turner, a first-year master’s student at Florida A&M, pointed out the complications that could come with issuing a second plate to every vehicle owner.
“This will require longer wait times or increase cost at the DMV, seeing as there will now be two plates on one vehicle,” Turner said. “It’s going to impact people’s time, wallets and possibly how quickly they can legally get back on the road.”
Beyond license plates, SB 92 also impacts repair shops. If a customer brings in a vehicle for repairs costing more than $2,500 due to an accident, the shop is now required to request a written crash report.
If the customer doesn’t provide one, the shop or its vendor must send the repair estimate to a new state database run by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement within three business days.
Shops that fail to comply could face serious consequences, including possible revocation of their registration.
These changes are designed to crack down on unreported accidents and prevent fraudulent repairs.
The law also updates the information that must be included in written repair estimates, aligning with the enhanced reporting requirements and ensuring consistent documentation across all repair shops statewide.
As Florida prepares to implement these measures, state agencies, repair businesses and drivers alike are gearing up for the transition.
While the bill introduces new hurdles, it also offers a promise: a safer, more transparent road system for everyone.
Whether that promise outweighs the inconvenience is something Floridians will see play out in real time next summer.