Over 4,000 Cars Impounded In NYC Crackdown On Ghost License Plates

NEW YORK CITY — Over 4,000 cars have been impounded since a collaborative state and city task force began cracking down on ghost license plates on New York City roadways last year.

Since March 11, more than 70 toll enforcement operations have been held in the city with 902 people being arrested and more than 39,000 summonses have been issued, according to the MTA.

“The newest data released by our city-state task force on the removal of ghost cars sends a clear message: if you attempt to alter your license plate to avoid traffic cameras and toll readers, you will be caught,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

More than $45 million was owed from drivers caught during the operations in 2024, the MTA said.

So far in 2025, there have been 13 toll enforcement operations, which resulted in 168 arrests, 650 towed vehicles and 5,775 summonses issued, totaling an amount owed of $4.6 million in unpaid tolls and fees, judgments and debts, according to the MTA.

New license plates rules, which will go into effect on April 16, and clarify that any obstruction to a license plate — like dirt, plastic coverings, and any other material — is prohibited, and parking with an obscured plate will result in a $50 fine, Patch previously reported.

“For too long, ghost cars and illegal mopeds and scooters have contributed to the feeling of disorder in New York City — but those days are in the past. We said we were not going to stand by while people break the law, defraud our city and endanger the public, and that message has been clearly delivered, Mayor Eric Adams said.