Vehicle identification and registration: alternative devices.
The proposed legislation seeks to modernize vehicle identification methods by potentially integrating electronic systems that serve the same purpose as traditional license plates. The bill stipulates that the DMV will oversee the necessary processes, including the submission of business plans by entities wishing to use these alternative devices. This oversight aims to ensure that the devices meet specific criteria for visibility, legibility, and compliance with existing vehicle code requirements, while also addressing privacy concerns related to data collection and transmission of information regarding vehicle use.
Assembly Bill 2770, introduced by Assembly Member Gipson, proposes amendments to the Vehicle Code concerning vehicle registration and the display of license plates. The bill aims to establish a program that authorizes the use of alternative devices instead of conventional license plates, stickers, and registration cards. This program would require the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Highway Patrol to approve any alternative devices before they can be used in lieu of traditional registration methods. The initiative is part of a pilot program that seeks to explore various alternative identification methods within California's vehicle registration framework.
While the bill aims to facilitate innovation in vehicle registration, it may raise concerns among stakeholders about data privacy and security. The legislation mandates that the DMV will neither retain nor receive personal data related to vehicle movement or usage connected to these devices. However, critics may argue that even with such provisions in place, electronic monitoring poses risks to personal privacy. Additionally, there might be concerns regarding the costs involved in implementing these alternatives and whether they could disproportionately affect lower-income vehicle owners not able to afford new technology.