Improving Effectiveness of License Plate Readers

Q&A/FURTHER CLARIFICATION TO REQUIREMENT: This requirement does not require LPR capabilities but rather access and membership to Motor Vehicle Administrators across the United States and Canada. The question isn't whether LPRs can read stacked letters. The question is whether individual states and provinces should include the stacked letters as part of the 'official' license number or not. For CBP this is an enforcement issue. If an LPR reads the number to include stacked letters but a lookout was entered by a state enforcement agency without the stacked letters, then there will not be a match (and vice-versa). One of the services provided for this requirement will be a published report that recommends standard practices - such as including stacked letters or not. The report will also make recommendations on excessive graphics and unusual fonts (making the plate harder to read), and any other issues regarding license plate readability. This effort started because CBP does not have a policy on stacked letters. Some officers will correct a plate which has stacked letters to show the number without the stacked letters, and vice-versa - adding the stacked letters to a read that does not include them. As such, there is no consistency. Again, this requirement is not about the ability of LPRs to read stacked letters, as CBP recognizes that capability. AAMVA can provide direct access to Motor Vehicle departments in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces to answer questions on license plate issuance, etc. They also have established contacts in law enforcement agencies - users of LPRs.