Digital license plates are no longer dreams of the future. Electronic license plates are now freely available in the first US state.
The company Reviver is now allowed to offer its digital plate – “RPlate” – for sale to all car owners in the US state of California. TECHBOOK explains what RPlate can do and whether it would also make sense for Germany.
Integrated display and wireless connection
The digital license plate comes with an integrated monochrome display that has a light and a dark mode. It can therefore display the registration number and other information in black on white or white on black. The display enables individual lettering to be displayed on the license plate, which is widespread in the USA as “vanity plates”. But even in the event of theft, the license plate can display the warning “I’m Stolen” (Eng. “I was stolen”). So-called “AMBER” warnings when a child has been kidnapped are also a useful upgrade over classic license plates.
The digital license plates also have integrated radio technologies that can help locate a stolen vehicle. Things like license renewal and customization can be done by users through the dedicated Reviver app for iOS and Android.
RPlates should be able to withstand extreme weather conditions. They are certified for use in temperatures between -40 and +85 degrees Celsius. They are also protected against splash water and dust according to the IP66 standard.
Digital license plate only with a monthly subscription
The company offers its RPlates in two versions. Since a mobile phone connection is required for use, the license plates are available in connection with a monthly subscription. A battery-powered version is available for private use, which costs $19.95 per month. This version has to do without GPS and additional functions such as journey tracking, parking service and vehicle location. Instead, there is integrated Bluetooth for connecting to the smartphone. The wired version is for commercial use only and comes with built-in GPS. It is connected directly to the vehicle’s electrical circuit. In addition to an illuminated display, the functions mentioned above are also enabled here. With it, companies can manage their vehicle fleet more easily and not only track the positions, but also automate the registration renewal. The wired version may only be installed by professional installers.
Increasingly common in the US
The USA is far ahead of Germany and Europe when it comes to implementing the digital license plate. Ten years ago, California first considered digital license plates. It is the first US state that has now legalized the new technology by law. The law comes after a pilot test that allowed 175,000 car owners to participate.
The digital license plate can also be used in Arizona and Michigan. Texas allows it for commercial use only. Other US states could soon follow. Colorado, Georgia and Illinois have also passed laws, but the implementation details have not yet been agreed with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV; corresponds to the German vehicle registration office).
Reviver is the only company to date offering digital license plates in the United States. However, the new law does not rule out possible competitors. As long as the digital license plates meet the legal requirements and are approved by the DMV, they can be sold. According to Reviver, 10,000 car owners in California are already using RPlate.
Digital license plate in Germany too?
One of the biggest advantages of the digital license plate is of little importance for car owners in Europe and Germany. Because in the USA drivers have to renew their approval annually at the DMV. A sticker on the license plate confirms that you paid for the registration. RPlate makes this superfluous, the confirmation appears automatically on the display after payment to the DMV. This requirement does not exist in Germany and other European countries.
However, the digital license plate could also have advantages in this country. For example, to indicate that the vehicle has passed the main inspection. Changing the number plate when moving would also be significantly simplified. This could eliminate the need to go to the admissions office.