June 18th, 2019 by WCBC Radio
Metal license plates may become a thing of the past as Maryland tests technology of the future in the digital age. The Motor Vehicle Administration is testing 22 digital license plates on its fleet vehicles as part of a two-year pilot program.
The plates automatically show registration updates, so no physical sticker is needed.
"You renew your registration, and you now have two more years. You've got to go out and physically put a sticker on that plate. This has the ability to update and provide that information on the display," MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer said.
The plate is similar in size to traditional plates but features an electronic display, that can tell law enforcement if the vehicle is stolen
"The [plate can tell law enforcement if the] vehicle is stolen. When it comes to public safety issues, whether it's an Amber Alert, a Silver Alert, or just a weather incident, it also has the ability to display that information," Nizer said. "It's good for law enforcement. It's also good for our residents because they're aware of different incidents that are going on."
Maryland is one of a handful of states to give the plates a test drive.
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June 18, 2019 at 6:05 pm, John P said:
Unnecessary and going to be way to expensive
June 18, 2019 at 6:45 pm, Ken said:
Too expensive? We just put another car on the road and paid $135.00 for two pieces of metal, a paper registration, and a sticker.
A waterproof 10″ tablet, suitable for this use, can be bought for roughly the same price, given the large quantities.
June 19, 2019 at 1:23 pm, Kay said:
Rumor has it the plates cost $349. My question is will we be required to have 2 of the tablets? That’s going to be pretty expensive, I’d rather have the sticker if given a choice.
June 20, 2019 at 5:17 am, Ken said:
If the rumors are true, I completely agree with you.
Of course, if a business is sticking it to us as badly as that, maybe the problem is who we are buying this technology from.