Electronic license plate

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A depiction of an Electronic License Plate Electronic license plate.png
A depiction of an Electronic License Plate

An electronic license plate (also referred to as a digital display license plate or a digital license plate) is a vehicle-mounted identification device that emits a radio signal for tracking and digital monitoring purposes. Various patents have been published to replace traditional metal and plastic license plates. It communicates directly with a vehicle's computer system and other remote systems related to vehicle regulation. [1]

Contents

History

Dean L. Naddeo invented a patent on June 11, 2002, [2] for electronic license plates. The patent describes the capability to connect the license plate to a centralized system for registration control, and a method whereby the centralized system can update the license plate display. Two examples are given; 1) in the situation where the vehicle is involved in a crime, or 2) where the registration is no longer valid.

Design

Similar in size to traditional license plates, an electronic license plate often has a digital display measuring 12 by 6 inches (30 by 15 cm) which is set into a rectangular housing. [3] The display is powered either directly from the vehicle's power system or by batteries and can communicate with the vehicle's onboard computer. [4]

Components

Features

Information

Information such as the vehicle identification number (VIN), registration expiration date, proof of insurance, and legal ownership records are displayed digitally on the plate's screen or viewed using a remote device.[ citation needed ]

Prepaid services

Electronic license plates allow certain transportation-related fees and services to be prepaid digitally and updated automatically. Possible fees that could be automatically paid include vehicle registration renewal, tolls, and parking permits.[ citation needed ]

Security

In situations such as a police chase or car accident, the plate could emit a signal of collision or crime, directly identifying the vehicle's involvement.[ citation needed ] If not identified at the scene, the license plate holds the information in memory and displays a digital alert.[ citation needed ]

Privacy

Privacy concerns are a major reason electronic license plates are not yet in public use.[ citation needed ] By consumer privacy laws, information from the electronic license plate will be sent out only when the vehicle is involved with any violations or illegal activities.[ citation needed ]

Criticisms of Electronic License Plates

Price and practicality

One common criticism of Electronic License Plates is the high price of such devices, with Tom Nardi of Hackaday stating that "[t]he question of whether or not the average car owner is willing to pay $800 to avoid the DMV is one we can't really answer". [5] [6]

Security and privacy

Another criticism of electronic license plates is the ability for third parties to disable their vehicle or display messages on their license plate without their permission, and the device constantly uploading GPS data.[ citation needed ]

Technical issues and legality

One criticism of electronic license plates is that they are computer systems and inherently prone to technical glitches and issues. An example would be popular car YouTuber Doug DeMuro commenting on how a license plate was downloading a software update. [7] Another issue is that the primary manufacturer RPlate prevents their customer from opening it, preventing any repairs such as a broken screen from being performed by the user. [5]

The practicality of installing such plates is also debated. As of 2023, only a select few states have allowed these devices.[ citation needed ]

Adoption in the U.S.

Three states in the US are exploring improvements over traditional license plates. The governor of California has set up California's Electronic License Plate Pilot Program, [8] which will test such alternatives. In 2017, California expected to issue electronic license plates to a limited number of volunteers to test this new technology. The main reason for California's interest in electronic license plates is to reduce taxpayers' expenses and are projected to reduce the $20 million spent by the Department of Motor Vehicles.[ citation needed ]

After a successful rollout in California and Arizona, Michigan has legalized digital license plates. [9] Legislation in Florida regarding allowing digital license plates has been considered but ultimately was not passed. [10]

As of 2023,[ citation needed ] there is currently one vendor of electronic license plates in the United States. California-based Reviver [11] is the sole supplier of electronic license plates for the states of Arizona, [6] California, [12] Michigan, [13] [14] and Texas (commercial fleet vehicles only). [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plate</span> Devices displaying a character string that uniquely identifies a particular vehicle.

A vehicle registration plate, also known as a number plate or license plate or licence plate, is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. All countries require registration plates for road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Whether they are required for other vehicles, such as bicycles, boats, or tractors, may vary by jurisdiction. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric ID that uniquely identifies the vehicle or vehicle owner within the issuing region's vehicle register. In some countries, the identifier is unique within the entire country, while in others it is unique within a state or province. Whether the identifier is associated with a vehicle or a person also varies by issuing agency. There are also electronic license plates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International vehicle registration code</span> Codes used to identify where a vehicle is registered

The country in which a motor vehicle's vehicle registration plate was issued may be indicated by an international vehicle registration code, also called Vehicle Registration Identification code or VRI code, formerly known as an International Registration Letter or International Circulation Mark. It is referred to as the Distinguishing sign of the State of registration in the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 1949 and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968.

Motorized vehicles in Indonesia are required to have registration plates, which must be displayed both at the front and back of the vehicles. The issuing of number plates is regulated and administered by SAMSAT, which is a collaboration between the Indonesian National Police, provincial offices of regional revenue, and the national mandatory vehicle insurance operator Jasa Raharja.

A vanity plate or personalized plate ; prestige plate, private number plate, cherished plate or personalised registration ; personalised plate or custom plate is a special type of vehicle registration plate on an automobile or other vehicle. The owner of the vehicle pays extra money to have their own choice of numbers or letters, usually portraying a recognizable phrase, slogan, or abbreviation, on their plate. Sales of vanity plates are often a significant source of revenue for North American provincial and state licensing agencies. In some jurisdictions, such as British Columbia, vanity plates have a different color scheme and design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automatic number-plate recognition</span> Optical character recognition technology

Automatic number-plate recognition is a technology that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates to create vehicle location data. It can use existing closed-circuit television, road-rule enforcement cameras, or cameras specifically designed for the task. ANPR is used by police forces around the world for law enforcement purposes, including checking if a vehicle is registered or licensed. It is also used for electronic toll collection on pay-per-use roads and as a method of cataloguing the movements of traffic, for example by highways agencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle license plates of the United States</span> American vehicle license plates

In the United States, vehicle registration plates, known as license plates, are issued by a department of motor vehicles, an agency of the state or territorial government, or in the case of the District of Columbia, the district government. Some Native American tribes also issue plates. The U.S. federal government issues plates only for its own vehicle fleet and for vehicles owned by foreign diplomats. Until the 1980s, diplomatic plates were issued by the state in which the consulate or embassy was located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European vehicle registration plate</span>

A vehicle registration plate, also known as a number plate, license plate or licence plate, is a metal or plastic plate or plates attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing authority's database. In Europe most countries have adopted a format for registration plates that satisfies the requirements in the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which states that cross-border vehicles must display a distinguishing code for the country of registration on the rear of the vehicle. This sign may be an oval sticker placed separately from the registration plate, or may be incorporated into the plate. When the distinguishing sign is incorporated into the registration plate, it must also appear on the front plate of the vehicle, and may be supplemented with the flag or emblem of the national state, or the emblem of the regional economic integration organisation to which the country belongs. An example of such format is the common EU format, with the EU flag above the country code issued in EU member states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motor vehicle registration</span> An authority to register motor vehicles

Motor vehicle registration is the registration of a motor vehicle with a government authority, either compulsory or otherwise. The purpose of motor vehicle registration is to establish a link between a vehicle and an owner or user of the vehicle. While almost all motor vehicles are uniquely identified by a vehicle identification number, only registered vehicles display a vehicle registration plate and carry a vehicle registration certificate. Motor vehicle registration is different from motor vehicle licensing and roadworthiness certification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video tolling</span> Form of electronic toll collection

Video tolling is a form of electronic toll collection that uses video or still images of a vehicle's license plate to identify a vehicle liable to pay a road toll. The system dispenses with collection of road tolls using road-side cash or payment card methods, and may be used in conjunction with "all electronic" open road tolling, to permit drivers without an RFID device to use the toll road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Department of Motor Vehicles</span> State agency in the United States

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the state agency that registers motor vehicles and boats and issues driver licenses in the U.S. state of California. It regulates new car dealers, commercial cargo carriers, private driving schools, and private traffic schools. The DMV works with the superior courts of California to promptly record convictions against driver licenses, and initiates administrative proceedings before its own administrative law judges to suspend or revoke licenses when drivers accumulate excessive convictions. It issues California license plates and driver's licenses. The DMV also issues identification cards to people who request one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Thailand</span> Thailand vehicle license plates

Thailand's vehicle registration plates are issued by the Department of Land Transport (DLT) of the Ministry of Transport. They must be displayed on all motorized road vehicles, as required by the Motor Vehicle Act, B.E. 2522 and the Land Transport Act, B.E. 2522. The plates vary in design, colors and dimensions according to the type of vehicle, but usually display a registration number and the vehicle's province of registration. Specifications are given in Ministry of Transport regulations. Current style started in 1975 for most vehicle types, but with small changes in 1997, and 1997 for motorcycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driver licences in Australia</span>

Driver licences in Australia refer to the official permit required for a person to legally drive a motor vehicle in Australia. The issue of driver licences, alongside the regulation and enforcement of road use, are all managed by state and territory governments.

In the United States, the appearance of license plates is frequently chosen to contain symbols, colors, or slogans associated with the issuing jurisdiction, which are the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the five inhabited U.S. territories, and Native American tribes, each of which independently registers motor vehicles. Regular-issue license plates for passenger vehicles typically have six or seven characters, with vanity plates having up to eight characters in a few states.

The U.S. state of Pennsylvania first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1906, when the state began to issue plates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Texas</span> Texas vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Texas first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own license plates for display, with serial numbers assigned by their county of residence, until the state began to issue plates in 1917.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of California</span> California vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of California first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates. Plates are currently issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Vehicle registration plates are the alphanumeric plates used to display the registration mark of a vehicle, and have existed in the United Kingdom since 1904. It is compulsory for motor vehicles used on public roads to display vehicle registration plates, with the exception of vehicles of the reigning monarch used on official business.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Wallet</span> Digital wallet platform by Apple

Apple Wallet is a digital wallet developed by Apple Inc. and included with iOS and watchOS that allows users to store Wallet passes such as coupons, boarding passes, student ID cards, government ID cards, business credentials, resort passes, car keys, home keys, event tickets, public transportation passes, store cards, and – starting with iOS 8.1 – credit cards, and debit cards for use via Apple Pay.

All of the 50 constituent states of the United States of America plus several of its territories and the District of Columbia issued individual passenger license plates for the year 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung Wallet</span> Digital wallet platform by Samsung

Samsung Wallet is a digital wallet platform developed by Samsung. It is available for the Samsung Galaxy-exclusive One UI Android operating system, and was announced on February 9, 2022, at the February 2022 Samsung Unpacked event. It combines both Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass.

References

  1. ↑ Andes, Elijah (January 25, 2023). "How Do Digital License Plates Work? Your Guide to Digital Plates". Carvana Blog | The New Way to Buy a Car. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  2. ↑ US 2002021210A1,Naddeo, Dean,"Electronic license plate",published February 21, 2002
  3. ↑ Arthur, Jason L. (June 1, 2023). "U.S. License Plate Sizes and Dimensions Guide". LookupAPlate. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  4. ↑ "What Are Digital License Plates". Infotracer.com. May 5, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Nardi, Tom (February 1, 2019). "Digital License Plates Are Here, But Do We Need Them?". Hackaday . Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Lapastora, Charlie (February 5, 2019). "Digital license plates that cost whopping $499 now an option for Arizona drivers". Fox News . Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  7. ↑ DeMuro, Doug [@dougdemuro] (October 3, 2022). "Several states now offer electronic license plates. Here's a sentence I never thought I'd say: This license plate is downloading an update" (Tweet). Retrieved January 2, 2023– via Twitter.
  8. ↑ "Senate Bill No. 806 - Chapter 569". California Legislature . October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  9. ↑ "License plates and tabs". Michigan Department of State . Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ "CS/SB 1178: License Plates". Florida Senate . March 14, 2022. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  11. ↑ Kamps, Haje Jan (August 31, 2022). "Reviver is building a company one licence plate at a time". TechCrunch . Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  12. ↑ Hernandez, Joe (October 15, 2022), "California drivers can now sport digital license plates on their cars", NPR , archived from the original on November 15, 2022, retrieved November 15, 2022
  13. ↑ Javed, Faraz (June 13, 2022). "Digital license plates go on sale in Michigan but are they the future?". WXYZ-TV . Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  14. ↑ Khalid, A. (June 13, 2022). "Michigan approves digital license plates by startup Reviver". Engadget . Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  15. ↑ Thompson, Kelsey (June 16, 2022). "Texas DMV launches digital license plates". KXAN-TV . Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  16. ↑ Farivar, Cyrus (September 6, 2013). "California poised to implement first electronic license plates". Ars Technica . Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
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