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Earlier editions: 2020-112018-11

DIVISION 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE 4000-9808›CHAPTER 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title 4000-5506›ARTICLE 7. License Plates 4850-4854

§ 4850

California Vehicle Code · 2026 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · California

(a) The department, upon registering a vehicle, shall issue to the owner two partially or fully reflectorized license plates or devices for a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and one partially or fully reflectorized license plate or device for all other vehicles required to be registered under this code. The plates or devices shall identify the vehicles for which they are issued for the period of their validity.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no contract shall be let to any nongovernmental entity for the purchase or securing of reflectorized material for the plates, unless the department has made every reasonable effort to secure qualified bids from as many independent, responsible bidders as possible. No contract shall be let to any nongovernmental entity for the manufacturing of reflectorized safety license plates.

(c) In addition to any other fees specified in this code, a fee of one dollar ($1) for reflectorization shall be paid only by those vehicle owners receiving license plates or devices under this section.

(d) This section does not require vehicle owners with nonreflectorized license plates or devices to replace them with reflectorized plates or devices.

(e) This section shall be known as the Schrade-Belotti Act.

(Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 679, Sec. 1. Operative January 1, 1987, by Sec. 4 of Ch. 679.)

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