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Could bar codes eventually be put in Virginia license plates?

Posted at 5:36 PM, Jan 04, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-07 11:00:28-05

Richmond, VA (WTVR) – Your license plate could eventually contain more than just letters and numbers.

Loudoun County Republican Joe May is considering introducing legislation at the General Assembly, that if passed, would embed bar codes and RFID codes into all Virginia license plates.

May says those bar codes will make traffic stops easier for police officers and ease traffic.

But the Virginia ACLU says the new tags raise privacy concerns.

Last year, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles commissioned a study about which examined using bar codes or radio frequency identification, but it did not propose or recommend passing any legislation adding it to license plates.

In a statement to CBS 6, the Department of Motor Vehicles says  any future technology added for plate readability would include only the information visible on the plate surface.

To check out the DMV study for yourself, click here.