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 9. Display of Plates, Tabs, and Stickers 5200-5206
§ 5201.1
California Vehicle Code · 2026 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · California
(a) A person shall not sell or manufacture a product or device in this state that obscures, or is intended to obscure, the reading or recognition of a license plate by visual means, or by an electronic device as prohibited by subdivision (c) or (d) of Section 5201.
(b) A person shall not operate a vehicle with a product or device that violates subdivision (a).
(c) A person shall not erase the reflective coating of, paint over the reflective coating of, or alter a license plate to avoid visual or electronic capture of the license plate or its characters.
(d) (1) A conviction for a violation of subdivision (a) is punishable by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per item sold or manufactured.
(2) A conviction for a violation of subdivision (b) or (c) is punishable by a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per violation.
(Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 179, Sec. 2. (AB 1085) Effective January 1, 2026.)
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