Are Hologram Number Plates Really the Solution to Number Plate Theft and Cloning? The Victorian Government will be introducing a new technology, hologram number plates, starting from today (30 December, 2022) in an effort to stop dodgy drivers from cloning plates and clocking up traffic fines and toll fees. But is this new technology really the solution to number plate theft and cloning?
All general-issue and trailer number plates will be produced with the hologram, which features a ‘VIC’ logo within a small circle – similar to those found on Australian banknotes. While barely detectable when looking directly at the plates, the security feature can be seen day or night when viewed from oblique angles.
Number plate thefts and cloning have been on the rise as criminals and dodgy drivers use them to evade police, speed camera fines, and toll-road charges. Unscrupulous drivers have been known to either steal number plates from a similar car to theirs – or make their own crude fake plates out of cardboard or metal – in an attempt to make someone else liable for their traffic infringements and tolls.
The technology, known as directional security markings, will be applied to approximately 430,000 new number plates annually – with the plates to be fitted to approximately 8 per cent of registered vehicles in Victoria each year. But is this enough to combat the problem? It’s important to consider that this technology may not be foolproof and criminals may find ways to bypass it.
Moreover, it’s worth considering the cost of this new technology. Will it be passed onto the consumer through higher registration fees? And what about the cost of implementation for the government? These are important questions to consider before fully embracing this new technology.
Another potential problem with this technology is that it may make it easier for criminals to change their number plate and they wouldn’t even require a number plate flipper anymore. This could lead to an increase in number plate cloning and make it even harder for law enforcement to catch criminals.
Victoria isn’t the first Australian state to add discreet holograms to number plates; Queensland introduced the directional security markings in late 2020. But it’s important to remember that technology is constantly evolving and criminals are always finding new ways to bypass security measures. So, while this new technology may be a step in the right direction, it’s important to keep a critical eye and consider all potential problems before fully embracing it as the solution.