§ 5201.1. — 5201.1. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 179, Sec. 2.)

California § 5201.1.

• Jurisdiction: California
• Code VEH: Vehicle Code - VEH
• Div. 3.: DIVISION 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE
• Ch. 1.: CHAPTER 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title
• Art. 9.: ARTICLE 9. Display of Plates, Tabs, and Stickers

Text

(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.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 179, Sec. 2. (AB 1085) Effective January 1, 2026.