Tennessee 3rd state to ban James Bond-style ‘license plate flippers’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — By July 1, 2024, it will be illegal for Tennessee drivers to purchase or possess a device commonly known as a “license plate flipper.”

Under the new law , anyone who purchases a license plate flipper could face a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail or a fine of up to $500.

The device, which allows drivers to change or hide their license plates with the push of a button, has been popping up in multiple states over the past few years.

In 2022, two suspected burglars made national news after California police realized they were using a license plate flipper, likening it to “something out of [a] 007 movie.”

“In 19 years, I’ve never seen anything like this,” Irvine police Sgt. Karie Davies said.

The James Bond-style contraptions have made it easier for people to avoid tolls and identification by law enforcement. Officials said the California couple was tied to at least six burglaries in Irvine and one in Newport Beach before they were caught.

Online, the devices are sold for anywhere between $50 to over $300, with videos demonstrating how one license plate can be changed to another within seconds. Some devices also flip the plate to hide the license number from view.

In addition to owning a license plate flipper, selling or offering to sell one in Tennessee could now land people in trouble. Under the new bill, anyone who manufactures, sells, or offers to sell or otherwise distribute the device commits a Class A misdemeanor.

So far, Tennessee is only the third state to ban license plate flippers. Lawmakers in Texas and Washington voted to make the devices illegal in 2013. The mayor of Philadelphia also recently signed a bill banning the use of the devices within the city.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.