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-MidwoodStudy Area Results

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Belmont 12 255 99 339

Plaza-Midwood 0 40 17 61

Temporary Tags Violent Offenses Violent Offense

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