You Can Get a Digital License Plate if You Live in California
After a successful pilot program, digital license plates are available for all registered vehicles in California.
Written by Alexandra Maloney
Reviewed by Serena Aburahma
What started off as a successful pilot program has officially turned into the law in
California
. Today, all drivers in California are eligible to get a digital license plate. But, how do California drivers get one? And, why would you even want a digital license plate? We have the answers to these questions and more, right here.
What is a digital license plate?
A digital license plate is a high-tech screen installed on the outside of a car, in place of where a traditional metal license plate is intended to go.
The screen displays the car’s license plate number, obviously, but also allows for short, personalized messages written under the numbers and letters that make up your license plate.
On top of that, the screen will also have registration displayed, which can be updated automatically – meaning, no sticker is necessary.
California is the first state to implement digital license plates. The state has had a pilot program with roughly 175,000 cars (about half a percent of California’s total registered cars) driving on the roads with digital license plates since 2018.
The passing of a recent bill, AB-984, made it officially legal for all 40 million registered cars in California to purchase a digital license plate.
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How do you get a digital license plate?
Currently, only one company, Reviver, is supplying digital license plates, and they’re only available to residents of California. To get a digital license plate from Reviver, you’ll need to subscribe and pay for professional installation.
According to
Autoblog
, there are different subscription options available to drivers. Digital plates will cost $19.95/month for a 48-month contract, or drivers can pay a lump sum of $215.40/year for a four-month contract. On top of that, there will be a one-time installation fee of $150. Prices are slightly higher for commercial customers. Each digital license plate is powered by a battery, which Reviver states have a lifespan of up to five years.
What are the benefits of digital license plates?
Right now, the biggest benefit to digital license plates is the aesthetics, and the fact that registration automatically renews and updates. But, Reviver has bigger plans for their digital license plates, than just looking cool on your car.
Car and Driver
reports that one of Reviver’s selling points is that their license plates can be automatically updated to display Amber Alerts and messages like “I’m Stolen” if necessary. These features make digital license plates not just a more aesthetically pleasing option, but also a safer option than traditional license plates.
Reviver expects more states to begin approving digital license plates soon, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Digital plates have been approved in
Colorado
, Georgia, and Illinois, but have not been implemented yet. Currently, there are no plans to integrate digital license plates with the DMV.
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