Unified License Plate system for the whole US/CAN

[geek11111]

PASS/COM'L:<$$>[##]-*****(*)

<$$> = two-letter state code, [##] = a DOT district under the given state, * = Alpha-numeric, except I/O, which is entirely excluded
The 6th digit is optional. Only used for large cities.
For example: NY01 \n 123456 is #123456 for NYC. CA88-12345 is #12345 for somewhere in CA.
<$$>[##] and *****(*) are in two different lines

EXEMPT/GOV/Emergency:
X<##>- ***** (X = eXempt) <##> = the FIPS code for each state


TRAILER:
T<##>- *****(*) (T = Trailer) <##> = the FIPS code for each state

[geek11111]

The order of patterns:000-000, then
A00-000, then
AA0-000
000-0AA
AAA-000
000-AAA
AAA-A00
A00-AAA
AAA-00A
00A-AAA

[Scott5114]

#!/usr/bin/perl

PASS/COM'L:<$$>[##] - [size=78%]*****(*)[/size]

[Ted$8roadFan]

Interesting ideas. A few questions. Looking down the (metaphorical) road, how often should plates be replaced; can owners get a new plate with the same number; and when should US states and Canadian provinces adopt seven digit license plates?

[kphoger]

For example: NY01-123456 is #123456 for NYC. CA88-12345 is #12345 for somewhere in CA.

The order of patterns:000-000, then
A00-000, then
AA0-000
000-0AA
AAA-000
000-AAA
AAA-A00
A00-AAA
AAA-00A
00A-AAA

1.  Interesting that you have A00-000 but not 000-00A.  Whatever, we'll go with it.

2.  If my math is correct, that yields approximately 175 million possible combinations.  For reference, there are about 2.2 million vehicle registrations between the five boroughs of NYC.

3.  How are you going to squeeze ten digits into a license plate and make it halfway decent?  I tried with nine and it looked like crap.

I don't think anyone can squeeze 9 symbols in existing layout.

Challenge accepted!  (using Montana's current issue)

[CtrlAltDel]

For example: NY01-123456 is #123456 for NYC. CA88-12345 is #12345 for somewhere in CA.

The order of patterns:000-000, then
A00-000, then
AA0-000
000-0AA
AAA-000
000-AAA
AAA-A00
A00-AAA
AAA-00A
00A-AAA

1.  Interesting that you have A00-000 but not 000-00A.  Whatever, we'll go with it.

2.  If my math is correct, that yields approximately 175 million possible combinations.  For reference, there are about 2.2 million vehicle registrations between the five boroughs of NYC.

3.  How are you going to squeeze ten digits into a license plate and make it halfway decent?  I tried with nine and it looked like crap.

I don't think anyone can squeeze 9 symbols in existing layout.

Challenge accepted!  (using Montana's current issue)

You'd probably have to change the plate to the European size, which the bulk of cars in the US can fit. You wouldn't need the extra height of current US plates, since the state name wouldn't need to be at the top any more, and the extra width of the European plates would help with the extra characters.

That said, I'm not sure this is a good idea due to the length of the numbers. 

[kphoger]

You'd probably have to change the plate to the European size, which the bulk of cars in the US can fit. You wouldn't need the extra height of current US plates, since the state name wouldn't need to be at the top any more, and the extra width of the European plates would help with the extra characters.

That said, I'm not sure this is a good idea due to the length of the numbers. 

For what it's worth, license plates in Chile are roughly 5.1 x 14.2 inches.  That's approximately 18% longer than US plates, and slightly less tall.

[geek11111]

Interesting ideas. A few questions. Looking down the (metaphorical) road, how often should plates be replaced; can owners get a new plate with the same number; and when should US states and Canadian provinces adopt seven digit license plates?

Existing plates still valid.

[geek11111]

%

[kphoger]

§

[geek11111]

#!/usr/bin/perl

PASS/COM'L:<$$>[##] - [size=78%]*****(*)[/size]

sudo rm -rf
(Don't do this. Seriously.)

[Scott5114]

%

By posting in our forum, you automatically agree to the following:

What's not allowed:

• Posts that have no discernible meaning, only random text, or lack sufficient context to form the basis of or contribute to a discussion.

Posts like this aren't acceptable on our forum. Don't make another like it.

[JayhawkCO]

I will delete my own that was in response to the random percentage sign. I had no idea that there was a specific symbol for shekels. Thanks character map!

[Scott5114]

sudo rm -rf
(Don't do this. Seriously.)

It wouldn't actually do anything because it hasn't been passed an argument of what to delete with recursive force.

I've executed this command before to clean out directories I need to delete. Works fine so long as you don't pass /* as the deletion target.

[Road Hog]

The system we have in place for law enforcement today appears to suffice.

[kphoger]

The system we have in place for law enforcement today appears to suffice.

Fixing things that aren't broken is... like... what we do, man!

[hotdogPi]

Some things are "broken", such as toll collection systems or red light cameras misreading I as 1 or vice versa, the infamous A55 [orange] RGY plate, hard-to-read state names for certain special designs, (historically) obvious rental plates that make it easier for thieves to steal from, etc.

[michravera]

Interesting ideas. A few questions. Looking down the (metaphorical) road, how often should plates be replaced; can owners get a new plate with the same number; and when should US states and Canadian provinces adopt seven digit license plates?

California already has 7-character plates. They were originally introduced as personal plates, but we've had 9AAA999  serial non-commercial plates for quite a while (our 2012 has a 6 and 2016 for instance, has an 8 in the first place). We are probably just about to use (or have recently started using) a new format. I would extrapolate (or remember) that the 9AAA999 plates were introduced in 1982 or 3. I know that I was able to get a 7-character personal plate in 1980.

I believe that you can get 8-character personal plates today.

[kphoger]

I would extrapolate (or remember) that the 9AAA999 plates were introduced in 1982 or 3.

1AAA000 started in 1980, before the Golden State base.

[geek11111]

Interesting ideas. A few questions. Looking down the (metaphorical) road, how often should plates be replaced; can owners get a new plate with the same number; and when should US states and Canadian provinces adopt seven digit license plates?

California already has 7-character plates. They were originally introduced as personal plates, but we've had 9AAA999  serial non-commercial plates for quite a while (our 2012 has a 6 and 2016 for instance, has an 8 in the first place). We are probably just about to use (or have recently started using) a new format. I would extrapolate (or remember) that the 9AAA999 plates were introduced in 1982 or 3. I know that I was able to get a 7-character personal plate in 1980.

I believe that you can get 8-character personal plates today.

I'm just curious, when commercial hasn't been reverted to 00000A1, were #####$# format vanity plates acceptable?

[michravera]

I would extrapolate (or remember) that the 9AAA999 plates were introduced in 1982 or 3.

1AAA000 started in 1980, before the Golden State base.

That sounds right. In any case, I'm certain California currently has more than 10 Million registered vehicles (over 14 million last I checked).

[geek11111]

I would extrapolate (or remember) that the 9AAA999 plates were introduced in 1982 or 3.

1AAA000 started in 1980, before the Golden State base.

That sounds right. In any case, I'm certain California currently has more than 10 Million registered vehicles (over 14 million last I checked).

But CA license plate stay with the car, not the owner