Vehicle Code - VEH 5201.1. 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.] (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.