A reality in the USA, but still a thing of the future in Germany – digital license plates like the E-Ink from Sacramento are not yet permitted in this country. The reason: bureaucratic and financial hurdlesBut now there is an update from the Ministry of Transport that the possible introduction highlights.
While digital license plates have been permitted in various states in the USA for several years, Germany is lagging behind.
The digital license plate
A prime example is the US manufacturer Reviver, who first sold the so-called RPlates to private customers, for 599 US dollars (the equivalent of around 540 EUR). And then in 2023 the breakthrough came: Ford added the E-license plates as an accessory to its range. Since then, the smart license plates have been available at hundreds of Ford dealers. Now a spokesman for the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) across from Inside digital on the topic and reveals what the future holds.
Why is this not yet possible in Germany?
In Germany, the license plates strictly regulated. Texture and design are laid down in the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV) and DIN 74069. The introduction of digital license plates would require a Change in the legal situation necessary. However, the idea was already discussed in the digital vehicle registration (i-Kfz) discussed at political level.
The concept: A digital license plate, which is activated after approval and can be automatically deactivated when logging out. A big catch: high costs for the citizens. Therefore, the proposal Abgelehnt.
The way food is technical hurdles should not be underestimated. In order for digital license plates to work, they would have to be linked to the electronics of the vehicles. However, this requires a unified technology in all cars – and this is precisely what falls under the jurisdiction of EU law.
Is there still hope?
So do German drivers have to say goodbye to the idea of soon having digital license plates on their vehicles? Not entirely. There is a small glimmer of hope: Alternative market solutions that work independently of government regulations have not yet been discussed. This means that there is still an opportunity, even if the likelihood of an early introduction is rather low.
What can digital license plates do?
The advantages are apparent: Location tracking, app registration, real-time motion alerts and anti-theft protection are among the highlights. They can also be personalized to a certain extent. Many of the features are currently available as part of a paid subscription. However, experts assume that as competition in the market increases, the additional costs could fall.
