- B 1085 expands California’s ban on plate-obscuring devices.
- Plate flippers, tints, and covers now face higher penalties.
- Sellers and makers could be fined up to $1,000 per device.
California is kicking off the new year with plenty of new laws, new policies, and now, a new crackdown on sketchy license plates. The state already has legislation to handle those who subtly alter or obscure their plates. Now, it’s giving law enforcement teeth to go after those who blatantly cover them with dark tint or use devices to hide them altogether.
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Until now, those who obscured their plate typically faced fines of up to $250 per offense, and enforcement focused largely on drivers themselves. As of January 1, though, Assembly Bill 1085 has officially gone into effect, widening the legal net considerably.
What’s Actually Illegal Now?
It’s now outright illegal to use tinted or shaded license plate covers and devices that interfere with automated plate readers, even if the plate still appears readable to the human eye. That’s the same sort of language that Florida is now using to stop people from tricking ALPR cameras into ignoring their car.
The bill also targets the supply chain itself, making it illegal to manufacture these products in California and increasing penalties for sellers. Devices like plate flippers have been illegal in the state since 2008, but up until now, they’ve remained widely available. Lawmakers say that left an enforcement gap that people exploited regularly.
Penalties That Bite
Under the updated rules, drivers caught using plate-flipping or obscuring devices can still face fines of up to $250, but anyone selling or manufacturing them could be hit with penalties of up to $1,000 per item.
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That’s right… just making or selling these devices could incur a four-figure penalty for each one in a person’s or a business’s possession. Lawmakers argue the higher fines are necessary to discourage companies from continuing to market the devices as “cosmetic” or “privacy” accessories.
They also link devices like these to toll evasion, robberies, vehicle thefts, and other illegal activity. When Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law on October 1, 2025, he did so without specifying a grace period, so effective immediately, police can pull over and cite people with devices like this.