Safer number plates to reduce crime

The State Government is introducing a new in-built security feature in general-issue number plates, which will reduce crime and number plate theft and benefit all Victorians.

Rolling out tomorrow, the Directional Security Markings embedded in the surface of new general issue number plates will provide an extra level of authentication, making it harder for them to be illegally copied.

VicRoads has been working closely with Victoria Police and the Department of Justice and Community Safety on a solution to combat number plate theft and cloning.

With growing number plate theft in Victoria, the new design features a ‘VIC’ logo within a small circle – with the security markings unable to be removed by chemical or physical means from the sheeting or finished sticker without causing irreparable damage to the reflective system.

This new style plate aims to stop criminals creating duplicate number plates and placing them on a vehicle of the same make and model as the original, avoiding apprehension for any crimes they commit while driving that vehicle.

The markings are similar to holograms embedded in the production of Australian banknotes and will ensure that unauthorised reproduction of number plates is impossible.

New security markings will appear on about 430,000 new number plates per year including all general issue standard car number plates, trailer number plates, Commonwealth Government “Z” number plates and Ministerial number plates.

Victorians will see the new number plates released gradually onto our roads from this month as new vehicles are registered, and new number plates are issued.

There will be no extra cost to drivers who order standard-issue plates with new security markings.