News

Apr 20, 2023

New holographic number plates to help stamp out fakes in Tasmania

Tasmania is set to introduce new holographic markings on its number plates,

Tasmania is set to introduce new holographic markings on its number plates, making them more secure and resistant to fraud.

The move will make it ‘nearly impossible’ for fraudulent plates to be made, making identification of illegal plates much easier.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said the markings cannot be physically or chemically removed.

The holographic symbols will resemble the authentication marks found on driver's licenses and will be embedded in the retro-reflective sheeting used to create genuine number plates.

When viewed from about two meters behind a vehicle, the marks will be visible, but they will disappear if the viewer changes their position to the side, Ferguson said.

"Importantly, the marks are verifiable in diffuse daylight and by retro-reflected light at night," he said.

The implementation of this new security measure will begin with regular vehicle and trailer plates, as well as government vehicle and trailer plates.

The State Government is also exploring the possibility of applying these marks to custom and personalised plates.

Vehicle owners will not need to take any action as the new feature will be gradually rolled out on new plates and during the normal renewal or replacement process.