MADERA, California — A semi-truck driver was stopped by the California Highway Patrol after officers discovered a forged license plate being used to conceal the truck’s real registration while traveling on State Route 99 in Madera.

^{Photo credit: Madera CHP}

The traffic stop occurred on December 15, 2025, near Madera Avenue (State Route 145), when a CHP officer noticed the commercial truck had two license plates mounted on the front, overlapping one another. Upon closer inspection, officers determined the outer plate was a printed replica of a real license plate affixed to a metal backing and did not belong to the vehicle.

^{Photo credit: Madera CHP}

Investigators said the counterfeit plate was intentionally placed over the truck’s legitimate plate, a violation of California law, which requires vehicles to display state-issued license plates assigned specifically to that vehicle.

^{Photo credit: Madera CHP}

Under California Vehicle Code Section 4463(a)(1), altering, forging, counterfeiting, or falsifying a license plate is considered a felony offense when done with intent to defraud.

The incident remains under review.

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