electronic license plate

Dean L. Naddeo invented a patent on June 11, 2002,{{cite patent|title=Electronic license plate|pubdate=February 21, 2002|inventor-last=Naddeo|inventor-first=Dean|country=US|number=2002021210A1}} 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 Two examples are given; 1) in the situation where the vehicle is involved in a crime, or 2) where the registration is no longer valid.

Similar in size to traditional license plates, an electronic license plate often has a digital display measuring {{convert|12|by|6|inch|cm}} which is set into a rectangular housing.{{Cite web |last=Arthur |first=Jason L. |date=2023-06-01 |title=U.S. License Plate Sizes and Dimensions Guide |url=https://www.lookupaplate.com/blog/license-plate-sizes/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=LookupAPlate |language=en-US}} The display is powered either directly from the vehicle's power system or by batteries and can communicate with the vehicle's onboard computer.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-05 |title=What Are Digital License Plates |url=https://infotracer.com/plate-lookup/what-are-digital-license-plates/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Infotracer.com |language=en-US}}

• Central processing unit - Gathers and sends out information to external sources; sends information for display on the license plate's screen.
• Storage and Identifying key - The integrated circuit that stores information (e.g., vehicle registration, identification numbers, state of issue, expiration date) and restrictions, as well as a corresponding key to prevent electronic tampering.
• Disabling units - sensor; If tampering is detected, it sends a signal to the central computer system and ignition disrupter to disable the vehicle's electronic component.
• Display - backlit screen

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|date=January 2023}}

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|date=August 2017}}

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|date=August 2017}} If not identified at the scene, the license plate holds the information in memory and displays a digital alert.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

Privacy concerns are a major reason electronic license plates are not yet in public use.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} 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|date=August 2017}}

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".{{Cite web |first=Tom |last=Nardi |date=2019-02-01 |title=Digital License Plates Are Here, But Do We Need Them? |url=https://hackaday.com/2019/02/01/digital-license-plates-are-here-but-do-we-need-them/ |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Hackaday |language=en-US |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102073320/https://hackaday.com/2019/02/01/digital-license-plates-are-here-but-do-we-need-them/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/auto/digital-license-plates-being-offered-as-option-for-arizona-drivers |title=Digital license plates that cost whopping $499 now an option for Arizona drivers |first=Charlie |last=Lapastora |work=Fox News |date=February 5, 2019 |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115072027/https://www.foxnews.com/auto/digital-license-plates-being-offered-as-option-for-arizona-drivers |url-status=live }}

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|date=August 2017}}

In 2022, a security expert demonstrated how a hacker could access electronic license plate company Reviver's backend web-based database to track or change license plates at will, including changing a vehicle's status to "STOLEN" and informing authorities.{{cite web|url=https://samcurry.net/web-hackers-vs-the-auto-industry |title=Web Hackers vs. The Auto Industry: Critical Vulnerabilities in Ferrari, BMW, Rolls Royce, Porsche, and More |last=Curry |first=Sam |date=January 3, 2023 |website=samcurry.net}} In 2024, another security firm researcher demonstrated how a hacker could physically "jailbreak" an electronic license plate by modifying its firmware, which would allow them to control what the plate displays, including changing the license plate number to evade toll fees, camera surveillance, and/or law enforcement.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/digital-license-plate-jailbreak-hack/ |title=Hackers Can Jailbreak Digital License Plates to Make Others Pay Their Tolls and Tickets |first=Andy |last=Greenberg |date=December 16, 2024 |magazine=Wired}}

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.{{Cite tweet |title=Several states now offer electronic license plates. Here's a sentence I never thought I'd say: This license plate is downloading an update. |user=dougdemuro |number=1576981788672421888 |access-date=2023-01-02 |first=Doug |last=DeMuro}} 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.

The practicality of installing such plates is also debated. As of 2023, only a select few states have allowed these devices.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

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,{{cite web|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB806|title=Senate Bill No. 806 - Chapter 569|date=4 October 2013|website=California Legislature|access-date=1 November 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003131/https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB806|url-status=live}} 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|date=August 2017}}

After a successful rollout in California and Arizona, Michigan has legalized digital license plates.{{Cite web |title=License plates and tabs |url=https://www.michigan.gov/sos/vehicle/license-plates |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Michigan Department of State |language=en |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102074239/https://www.michigan.gov/sos/vehicle/license-plates |url-status=live }} Legislation in Florida regarding allowing digital license plates has been considered but ultimately was not passed.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-14 |title=CS/SB 1178: License Plates |work=Florida Senate |url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1178 |url-status=live |accessdate=2023-01-02 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102064459/https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1178 }}

As of 2023,{{citation needed|date=June 2023|reason=Newer citations are needed to confirm changes in date since all existing citations are from 2022 and things could have radically changed since date of publication of the latest cited publication.}} there is currently one vendor of electronic license plates in the United States. California-based Reviver{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/31/reviver-r-plate/ |title=Reviver is building a company one licence plate at a time |first=Haje Jan |last=Kamps |work=TechCrunch |date=August 31, 2022 |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115020320/https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/31/reviver-r-plate/ |url-status=live }} is the sole supplier of electronic license plates for the states of Arizona, California,{{citation |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/10/15/1129305660/digital-license-plates-california |title=California drivers can now sport digital license plates on their cars |date=October 15, 2022 |first=Joe |last=Hernandez |work=NPR |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115020322/https://www.npr.org/2022/10/15/1129305660/digital-license-plates-california |url-status=live }} Michigan,{{cite news |url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/digital-license-plates-go-on-sale-in-michigan-but-are-they-the-future |title=Digital license plates go on sale in Michigan but are they the future? |work=WXYZ-TV |first=Faraz |last=Javed |date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115020335/https://www.wxyz.com/news/digital-license-plates-go-on-sale-in-michigan-but-are-they-the-future |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/michigan-approves-digital-license-plates-by-startup-reviver-225122937.html |title=Michigan approves digital license plates by startup Reviver |first=A. |last=Khalid |work=Engadget |date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115020321/https://www.engadget.com/michigan-approves-digital-license-plates-by-startup-reviver-225122937.html |url-status=live }} and Texas (commercial fleet vehicles only).{{cite news |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/texas-dmv-launches-digital-license-plates/ |title=Texas DMV launches digital license plates |first=Kelsey |last=Thompson |date=June 16, 2022 |work=KXAN-TV |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115072020/https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/texas-dmv-launches-digital-license-plates/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/09/california-poised-to-implement-nations-first-electronic-license-plate-program/ |title=California poised to implement first electronic license plates |first=Cyrus |last=Farivar |date=September 6, 2013 |work=Ars Technica |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115020323/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/09/california-poised-to-implement-nations-first-electronic-license-plate-program/ |url-status=live }}

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Category:Vehicle registration plates