The driver of a Volkswagen Jetta may have thought he had found a clever way to avoid paying tolls. A button-controlled device could hide the car’s license plate when approaching a toll booth and uncover it again once the vehicle had passed through. Unfortunately for him, the California Highway Patrol’s Solano unit spotted the Jetta with what appeared to be a missing plate, only to see it reappear moments later. That was enough to prompt a traffic stop, where officers discovered the device behind the disappearing act.
CHP-Solano later shared a video of the encounter on social media, showing the black Jetta initially appearing to have no license plate as an officer followed it through traffic. Moments later, however, the plate suddenly appeared, raising suspicions that something was amiss and prompting the officer to investigate further.
The video shows an officer demonstrating the “license plate hider” using a remote that works much like a key fob. A black cover initially conceals the license plate, but with the press of a button, it smoothly slides down to reveal the plate underneath. The setup suggests the Jetta driver could operate the cover remotely, potentially allowing him to hide the plate while passing through toll barriers and reveal it again afterward.
Image Credit: CHP – Solano
The police department revealed in a Facebook post that the driver admitted to using the device to evade tolls. It stated:
“
🚨
Now you see it, now you don’t: Solano toll evader caught with license plate hider
🚨
“Upon making an enforcement stop, the driver, sole occupant admitted to using the illegal device for one specific reason: to intentionally evade paying Express Lane and Bay Area bridge tolls.”
CHP-Solano also stated that while these “clever” devices could help drivers save money on tolls, getting caught could ultimately cost offenders much more. Reminding drivers of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) provisions regarding these devices, the post added:
“
🛑
CVC 5201.1 – License Plate Obscuring Devices: It is strictly illegal to operate a vehicle equipped with a switchable license plate frame, flipper, or any product intended to obscure the reading or recognition of a license plate. The base fine for operating a vehicle with one of these devices is $250 per violation, which skyrockets once state and county penalty assessments are added.
“
🛑
CVC 5201 – Plate Visibility: Your license plate must be securely fastened, clearly visible, and legible at all times. Any cover, frame, or coating that obstructs or impairs the recognition of the plate by sight or by electronic tools is a violation.
“
🛑
CVC 23302(a)(1) – Toll Evasion: Failure to pay tolls on vehicular crossings, toll highways, or Express Lanes is unlawful. Evading tolls not only results in traffic citations but can also lead to civil penalties and DMV holds on your vehicle’s registration.
“Trying to cheat the toll system isn’t fair to the thousands of Solano County commuters who pay their share every day. Save yourself the trouble, the traffic stop, and the hefty fines.”