The Problem of Temporary License Plates in North Carolina

A bit of History Created to mimic original NC plates Decades pass Plates and technology improve Temp tags have stayed the same

The Tag The paper The colors The font The space –Issue date –Make –ID Number –Expiration

The system The Distribution The Records The Useless Tag Number Lack of regulation on display Police Data Collection No Threat of penalty for illegal… –Duplication –Creation –Sales

The Results Ease of illegal creation Ease of dulplication Ease of theft Unregulated distribution Uselessness of number Size of expiration date

Legal Complications SC Supreme Court Case Legal Notice to Charlotte Officers –Must know the tag is expired to stop Inability to go after Parked cars –Must be driving the car to be pulled over

Inviting Financial Abuse No Registration fees No Inspection fees No Car Property Tax No Insurance Fines when/if caught?

Inviting Criminal Abuse Less likely to be pulled over Less likely to have driver identified Less likely to have vehicle identified –Allows more freedom for use of stolen cars –Shields cars used in the commission of a crime

Two neighborhoods

Belmont vs. Plaza-Midwood