(a) The department shall establish a program authorizing an entity to issue devices as alternatives to the conventional license plates, stickers, tabs, and registration cards authorized by this code, subject to all of the following requirements: (1) The alternative device is subject to the approval of the department and the Department of the California Highway Patrol and shall not be used in lieu of a device issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles until that approval has been granted. (2) (A) Except as specifically authorized in subparagraph (B), an alternative device shall not include vehicle location technology. (B) (1) (i) Vehicle location technology may be offered for vehicles registered as fleet vehicles, pursuant to Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 5301), commercial vehicles, as defined in Section 260, and those operating under an occupational license, pursuant to Division 5 (commencing with Section 11100). (ii) Vehicles that began using an alternative device that included vehicle location technology during an authorized pilot program established by Section 4853 may continue to use that alternative device if the vehicle location technology meets the requirements set forth in this section and applicable regulations. (iii) Beginning on January 1, 2027, and thereafter, any vehicle may be offered an alternative device that includes vehicle location technology. (2) An alternative device that includes vehicle location technology shall comply with all of the following: (i) The vehicle location technology shall be capable of being permanently disabled by means of a nonreversible method that ceases all vehicle location functionality and tracking information capabilities. (ii) The vehicle location technology shall be capable of being manually disabled and enabled by a driver of the vehicle who is inside the vehicle. (iii) The method of manually disabling and enabling the vehicle location technology shall be prominently located inside the vehicle and easy to use, and shall not require access to a remote or online application, password, or any form of log-in information. (iv) Once a driver has manually disabled the vehicle location technology from inside the vehicle, the only method of enabling the vehicle location technology shall be to manually enable the technology from inside the vehicle. The registered owner of the license plate, the vehicle manufacturer, the department, or any other entity shall not have the capability of enabling the vehicle location technology through remote means. (3) If an alternative device is equipped with vehicle location technology, the alternative device shall display a visual indication when the vehicle location technology is in active use. (4) Data exchanged between the department and the alternative device, or the provider of the alternative device, is limited to that data necessary to display evidence of registration compliance, including the payment of registration fees, plate configurations, and the information or images displayed on the alternative product. If the department receives data from an alternative device or the provider of an alternative device in violation of this paragraph, the department shall immediately delete that data. (5) Use of an alternative device is optional, and users shall affirmatively opt in to using the alternative device instead of a conventional license plate, sticker, tab, or registration card. (b) (1) The department shall adopt regulations to carry out this program, including, but not limited to, all of the following: (A) Determining standards necessary for the safe use of alternative products. (B) Requirements for product oversight and consumer support. (C) Requirements for product size, design, display, and functionality. (D) Introduction of new products through a pilot program. (E) Transitioning pilot products, and approved enhancements to existing alternative products, to a statewide product offering. (F) Approval of products for statewide use. (G) Det
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