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CaliforniaAB 10852025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

The Director of Motor Vehicles.

Sponsored By: Catherine Stefani (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Wheelchair lift decal option for plates

Beginning Jan 1, 2019, a rear plate may be blocked by a wheelchair lift or carrier. You must have a special ID plate or the wheelchair user’s placard. You must show a department-issued decal with your plate number on the rear window. When the decal is shown, you do not need plate lighting. This exception does not apply to front plates.

Ban and fines for plate-hiding devices

Beginning Jan 1, 2019, it is illegal to install or use devices that block plate readers. This includes frames, shades, tints, shields, or any product that hides your plate from law or toll systems. Selling or making such a device is a $1,000 fine per item. Driving with one, or altering a plate’s reflective coating, is a $250 fine per violation.

Stricter plate mounting and replacement rules

Beginning Jan 1, 2019, your plates must be upright, visible, and easy to read. Mount the rear plate 12 to 60 inches from the ground. Mount the front plate no higher than 60 inches. Some vehicles may mount the rear plate higher, like tow trucks and truck tractors. Garbage trucks, certain tank vehicles, and two-axle livestock trailers also qualify. Some dump-bed trucks may mount up to 107 inches. When you get permanent plates, install them and destroy the temporary plates.

Limited use of license plate covers

Beginning Jan 1, 2019, you can cover a lawfully parked car for weather. Security covers are allowed only over the registration tabs. The cover cannot hide the state, plate number, or tabs. Officers may lift the cover to check your plate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Catherine Stefani

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 229 • No: 0

House vote • 8/25/2025

Item 8 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 76 • No: 0

Senate vote • 7/17/2025

Item 218 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 35 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/1/2025

Vote in CS72

Yes: 6 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/10/2025

Vote in CS59

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 5/15/2025

Item 170 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 69 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/7/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 15 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/21/2025

Vote in CX22

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 179, Statutes of 2025.

    10/1/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/1/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.

    9/2/2025legislature

  4. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 2726.).

    8/25/2025House

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

    7/17/2025House

  6. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 2138.).

    7/17/2025Senate

  7. Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

    7/15/2025Senate

  8. From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.

    7/14/2025Senate

  9. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    7/2/2025Senate

  10. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

    6/19/2025Senate

  11. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

    6/11/2025Senate

  12. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 10).

    6/10/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and PUB. S.

    5/28/2025Senate

  14. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

    5/15/2025Senate

  15. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 69. Noes 0. Page 1569.)

    5/15/2025House

  16. Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

    5/8/2025House

  17. From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 7).

    5/7/2025House

  18. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/22/2025House

  19. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

    4/9/2025House

  20. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.

    4/8/2025House

  21. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.

    3/25/2025House

  22. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.

    3/24/2025House

  23. Referred to Com. on TRANS.

    3/24/2025House

  24. From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

    2/21/2025House

  25. Read first time. To print.

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/1/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    8/27/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    6/11/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    4/8/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    3/24/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/20/2025

    HTML

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