SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Catherine Stefani (D-San Francisco) introduced legislation to strengthen enforcement against illegal license plate covers that help drivers evade tolls, escape traffic enforcement, and avoid accountability for criminal activity. Assembly Bill 1085 closes loopholes in existing law by explicitly banning tinted, shaded, and flipper-style plate covers and imposes steep fines—up to $10,000 per item—on those who manufacture or sell them.
“These devices have become a tool for lawbreakers,” said Assemblymember Stefani. “They’re linked to vehicle thefts, robberies, and toll evasion—undermining public safety and costing the state millions in lost transportation revenue. This bill ensures that enforcement can keep pace with technology designed to deceive.”
Despite being illegal, license plate covers and flippers remain widely available through online platforms and retail stores across California. Some are marketed as ways to avoid tolls, red-light cameras, and parking enforcement. The California Highway Patrol issued over 1,300 citations for obscured plates in 2024—a steep rise from previous years. License plate flippers are available with various devices ranging from $50 to $200 and typically are marketed as a way to avoid tolls, parking enforcement, or red-light and speed cameras. Simply having these sales still available in California sends the message to consumers that these products are not illegal.
“Manufacturers of license plate obstruction devices put our communities at risk by enabling reckless behavior that undermines our ability to hold dangerous drivers accountable. This bill takes a strong stand against the production of these devices, sending a clear message that prioritizing street safety over profits is non-negotiable.” said Marc Vukcevich, Director of State Policy at Streets For All, who is the sponsor of the bill. “By increasing penalties for those who manufacture these devices, we are taking an important step toward protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike, ensuring safer streets for everyone.”
By including “shade or tint” in the legal definition of a plate obstruction device and increasing penalties on those who profit from their sale, AB 1085 aims to curb their spread and restore integrity to California’s traffic enforcement systems.
The bill will be heard in Assembly policy committees this month.
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