A California driver was caught hiding his license plate to skip toll and express lane charges, a small-scale reminder that toll enforcement is getting harder to beat.

• A Highway Patrol officer in Solano County spotted a car in the express lane with no visible plate, then saw the plate reappear moments later.
• The driver admitted he used an electronic plate cover to run express lanes and bridge tolls without being billed.
• Police say the devices are illegal and the penalties cost far more than the tolls saved.
• Drivers caught face tickets, large fines, and a hold on their vehicle registration.

Outlook: Expect more enforcement against plate-hiding gadgets as toll systems rely almost entirely on camera billing.