Counterfeiting license plates, validation stickers, mobile home stickers, cab cards, trip permits, or special temporary operational permits prohibited; penalty.

(1)(a) No person shall counterfeit registration license plates, validation stickers, or mobile home stickers, or have in his or her possession any such plates or stickers; nor shall any person manufacture, sell, or dispose of registration license plates, validation stickers, or mobile home stickers in the state without first having obtained the permission and authority of the department in writing.

(b) No person shall counterfeit, alter, or manufacture International Registration Plan cab cards, trip permits, special temporary permits, or temporary operational permits; nor shall any person sell or dispose of International Registration Plan cab cards, trip permits, special temporary permits, or temporary operational permits without first having obtained the permission and authority of the department in writing.

(2) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree.

(a) If the violator is a natural person, he or she is punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(b) If the violator is an association or corporation, it is punishable as provided in s. 775.083, and the official of the association or corporation under whose direction or with whose knowledge, consent, or acquiescence such violation occurred may be punished as provided in s. 775.082, in addition to the fine which may be imposed upon such association or corporation.