{"code":"VEH","codeName":"Vehicle Code","section":"5201.1","citation":"Veh. Code, § 5201.1","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 3. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES AND CERTIFICATES OF TITLE [4000. - 9808.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-3"},{"name":"CHAPTER 1. Original and Renewal of Registration; Issuance of Certificates of Title [4000. - 5506.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-3/chapter-1"},{"name":"ARTICLE 9. Display of Plates, Tabs, and Stickers [5200. - 5206.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-3/chapter-1/article-9"}],"history":"Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 179, Sec. 2.   (AB 1085)   Effective January 1, 2026.","effective":"2026-01-01","html":"<p>(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 <a href=\"/veh/5201\">5201</a>.</p><p>(b) A person shall not operate a vehicle with a product or device that violates subdivision (a).</p><p>(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.</p><p>(d) <b />(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.</p><p>(2) A conviction for a violation of subdivision (b) or (c) is punishable by a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per violation.</p>","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.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/display-of-plates-tabs-and-stickers-5201-1","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}