A Washington state lawmaker is worried digital license plates would allow the government to track motorists and invade their privacy. The digital plates show license information but also could provide messages that a car was stalled, stolen, or involved in an AMBER or Silver Alert. California and Arizona have pilot programs for similar digital plates.

California is currently testing the functionality on its new ‘Reviver’ digital license plates to allow the plates to display information about the car being stolen or involved in an AMBER Alert. The ‘Reviver Plate’ is now on thousands of cars and can also be used to update registration sticker information and other requirements. As of 2018 the digital plate cost $699 and had a $7 monthly fee.