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Digital License Plates Are Now Allowed in Michigan (theverge.com)
Digital license plates are now allowed in Michigan thanks to a new state law. It will join California and Arizona as one of the few states in the US that allow digital license plates, allowing drivers to register their cars electronically and eschew old-school metal plates. From a report: To be clear, digital license plates consist of displays covered in glass that are mounted onto a frame. They come with their own computer chips and wireless communication systems. Some of the benefits of using digital licenses versus old metal ones are the ability to display Amber alerts or stolen vehicle messages when needed, but they could also make it easier to digitally renew license plates over the years. That comes at a price, though. Currently, they cost $499 for a basic version, and $799 for a premium version that features a GPS navigation add-on.
Seems like the ability to always know your location and/or shut off your ability to legally drive if you have unpaid tickets, warrants, or some other infraction is the only real advantage. I am sure banks will use this for people behind in payments too. I see no consumer advantage to this at all, but we get to pay extra for it.
I have yet to see a single coherent argument for digital license plates. They cost a ton, have wireless (means they can be hacked), batteries will die....just so many many reasons. They are totally WORTHLESS for displaying amber alerts. Whichever idiot came up with that should be shitcanned now. You can't read license plates half the time right now because of dirt or covers or - reasons. Now you're what - going to obscur my license plate number and flash different colors? And you think the guy behind me is going to give a shit? Or read it?
I could go on and on. But pretty much everyone agrees this is a horrible idea that has it's roots in yet another way to track people.
Some of the benefits of using digital licenses versus old metal ones are the ability to display Amber alerts or stolen vehicle messages when needed
Not to seem callous but why would I pay (a lot) extra for the ability to display Amber alerts? And there already are pretty good and more affordable solutions for stolen cars.
Currently, they cost $499 for a basic version, and $799 for a premium version that features a GPS navigation add-on.
WTF could these things do that would possibly justify such a price point? I already have GPS in my car and my phone so that's a non-starter, especially given that it wouldn't probably be integrated into the car's infotainment system. If my car gets stolen that's what insurance is for and shockingly my insurance appears cheaper than these things. I'm all for doing things a better way but I don't see any meaningful benefit here.
In Belgium you get your license plate once. You take them with you when you get a new car. When you do not need them, you bring em back i.e. drop them off at the post office.
In the US you keep the plate but have to renew the registration every year. Usually costs about $20-25, plus tack on another $20 for yearly required emissions. So, even at $50 a year for registration the basic plate would take 10 years before the purchase price is paid off. Now, what are the odds that an electronic plate will last 10 years without damage/needing to be replaced/etc?
The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
So all we have to do is get all the kiddie fiddlers to buy $500 plates. Well on second thought, brilliant!
I'm keeping my license plate analog. If my license plate were to have discrete letters and digits, that would just make it easier for cops to identify me.
Did you get vanity plate 88BB8B8 or O0O00O0?
https://xkcd.com/1105/
I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
So all we have to do is get all the kiddie fiddlers to buy $500 plates. Well on second thought, brilliant!
Over half of Amber alerts are not "kiddie fiddlers" but a parent on the wrong side of a custody dispute.