FHP Colors in Florida

[SPiRiT R/T]

Mike,
I assume you operated 1187 in Florida and it still wore it's Black and Tan paint job?

I just hate to wrap, plastidip, tape-up, spray paint etc etc the car when our plan it to be able to operate the car as a Black and Tan with no FHP markings and be able to take it to shows and display it as a fully marked unit by applying the FHP markings while it's parked and on display.

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

Case law on it is pretty cut and dry. I put 5k miles on 1187 back in '98-'00 and I never had a problem. Of course, my car looked obviously out of service.

[NoDrama43]

let us know how it turns out when (not if) you get stopped.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by SPiRiT R/T

Mike,
I assume you operated 1187 in Florida and it still wore it's Black and Tan paint job?

I just hate to wrap, plastidip, tape-up, spray paint etc etc the car when our plan it to be able to operate the car as a Black and Tan with no FHP markings and be able to take it to shows and display it as a fully marked unit by applying the FHP markings while it's parked and on display.

Yep, but like I said, my car looked obviously out of service. My advice, based on what you wrote above, would be to trailer the car.

If that's not an option, you could have someone research and pull copies of the legal rulings and carry the paperwork with you if you are ever stopped. I do know of someone who was charged and the charges were later dropped; however it was a local PD that filed them and not FHP.

BTW, the info about the case law came directly from a Captain at FHP years ago. One of the cases was filed in the Orlando area back in the late '90s.

[28HopUp]

I think it wouldn't be worth it to have a restored FHP vehicle if I lived in the state of Florida. The hassles that would occur would suck out any enjoyment you would have owning the car, even if you could stand your ground legally. You would likely get stopped all the time, which would be a huge hassle.

The FHP will not grant you permission to paint your car in their colors. Your first post did not specifically ask for suggestions, but if I were in your situation I would repaint the car all-black and either put the lettering/logos on magnets, or mark the car permanently and keep everything covered up.

[chp1982]

When I lived in FL, I remember seeing two black and tan, clearly out of service, SSP's. I never really understood how the state could enforce that law when the state put the car into public hands in those colors.

[NoDrama43]

Originally Posted by chp1982

When I lived in FL, I remember seeing two black and tan, clearly out of service, SSP's. I never really understood how the state could enforce that law when the state put the car into public hands in those colors.

florida has been spray bombing, or bed lining tan roofs for years now. They "recolor" it with black (terrible job). Some of the bed liner crap they apply is with a roller.....

bottom line is that if you restore/repaint your car black and tan, put FHP decals all over it and then try to drive it down to the car show at wally world you are eventually going to have a bad day. If I lived in Florida the ONLY way I would transport an FHP car would be in an enclosed trailer.

[FHP0827]

I would just spray some "auction like" squiggles of black plastidip on the tan to prevent any issues.

[urustyone]

I am from indiana & was told today that I could not drive a FHP with the 2 tone paint on it. Anyone from Indiana or familiar with Indiana law in regards to this??

[nastie85gt]

i live in pa i have a fhp car fully functioning fhp colors i havent had any issues here but i did check with the state police in n j before i took it there aslong as the state trooper is covered and the lites can be made not to work by a fuse being pulled out and a out of service sign on it im good to drive it in nj or most states call the state poice and ask them is your best bet if you do all this they cant really say much but if you do get pulled over being polite

[RabidBeaverFL]

For what it's worth...

I spoke with a good lawyer friend of mine who has made his living for the last 30 years dealing with motor vehicle cases.

His thoughts on the FL statute were simply that the state reserves the right to drop the hammer on you if you are using a vehicle to mislead someone or for other nefarious means.

He specifically mentioned functioning lights on a car painted black & tan as being a huge beacon for the FHP (or any other Florida agency). However, he cited several examples of private citizens, who he personally knows, who own restored police vehicles (going back to the 40's), who use them for the specific intent of parades & to bring awareness to organizations like DARE, Crimeline, etc.

The way he made it sound, it sounded to me like it would be something they would take on to an arrest/other charges to compound the crime/violation.

Just some food for thought.

If someone wants to pay for a new paint job for me, I'll be happy to test the theory, as I feel confident in my legal representation.