Big Brother-style digital license plates that let police track your EVERY move are being rolled out in California

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The police may soon know your every move with the help of Big Brother-style digital licence plates.  

California is currently testing the licence plates which are capable of renewing vehicle registration instantaneously and displaying custom messages. 

GPS location data from the licence plate can also be shared with police to help track a vehicle.

According to the manufacturers of the digital plate, this could be used to find a stolen car - but it has raised privacy concerns. 

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Drivers can auto-renew their vehicle registration instantaneously via a companion app, which then updates the licence plate to display digital decals 

The city of Sacramento this month kick started trials of the new smart licence plates, which were approved for use in the state by the California Department of Motor Vehicles back in 2013. 

Sacramento, the state capital of California, has already fitted digital plates to 24 in-house vehicles, the USA Herald reported.

However, the privacy concerns around the GPS capabilities of the digital plates has purportedly already caused issues for the city.

According to the Sacramento Bee, the city will have to speak with union representatives after some drivers questioned whether the system could allow the state, police or private companies to access location data revealing drivers' movements.

The futuristic licence plates, built by Reviver Auto, are powered by a similar display technology to Amazon's Kindle e-readers.

This allows the plate to be customised, with drivers able to pick between a light or dark theme.

Drivers can also add a brief DMV-approved message beneath the number on the plate.

The customisable digital licence plates are powered by the same display technology that Amazon uses in its Kindle e-reader devices 

According to Reviver Auto, this can be used to voice support for a chosen charity, or a slogan like 'Don't Drink and Drive' as well as more comical bumper sticker-style messages like 'My Child is an Honor Student'.

A future update will allow the licence plates to display targeted advertising on parked vehicles, however, this feature is still pending approval from the California DMV.

Reviver Auto CEO Neville Boston claims the digital licence plates offer strong security to prevent any threat from hackers.

Boston says the plates offer the 'same level of security as online banking', thanks to its 'thee-key encryption protocols.'

DMV-approved messages supporting charitable organisations can be added beneath the licence plate number via the Reviver Auto companion smartphone app 

A future software update could allow drivers to use their licence plate display to show targeted advertising, based on the current location of the vehicle

California drivers who want to get their hands on the digital plates will have to spend $699 (£528) plus installation fee.

On top of that, the Reviver Auto digital plates carry a subscription fee of around $8 (£6) a month.

The Sacramento trial comes one month after Dubai announced similar plans. 

Unlike those in the US, Dubai's new plates will be synced up to a user's account so that parking fees and road fines will be remotely taken from drivers by the cops.

Local police claim the technology will be primarily used to help emergency services locate accidents.

It is claimed authorities could change the licence plate to display a special alert or warning when a vehicle is stolen.

Police will be able to track people's cars by GPS and fine them for traffic offences remotely

However, concerns are growing that the plates will cause privacy issues as they could be used to catch speeding drivers.

Sultan Abdullah al-Marzouqi, the head of the Vehicle Licensing Department at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) dispelled the rumours, claiming the introduction of the plates will make life 'easier for drivers'.

'The digital plate, called Tag to Connect, is a smart screen that will replace the current metal plate,' Sultan Abdullah Al Marzouqi told Khaleej Times.

'With the digital plate installed in your car, you need not come to any RTA service centre every year in order to renew your vehicle plate - your car registration will be automatically renewed after passing the vehicle test.'

According to the city's transport minister - all information will be monitored by a nerve centre

'The digital plate will also allow vehicles to connect with each other. That's why it's 'Tag to Connect' - meaning, motorists can exchange information on traffic condition or if there is an accident on the road.

'All this information will be connected to the central command system of the RTA.' 

Upon their release, the plates will use cutting edge GPS transmitters mounted on the car to communicate information back to the police.

It's not clear how much the plates will cost, but according to Sultan Abdullah, they are currently being tested.

The trial is set to run until November and will find out how the technology works with Dubai's desert climate. 

HOW DO DIGITAL LICENCE PLATES WORK?

Digital licence plates are here, with trials of the futuristic number plates already taking place in Dubai and Sacramento, California.

These technology-laden licence plates are capable of renewing vehicle registration instantaneously online, displaying custom messages, and alerting nearby drivers if the vehicle has been stolen.

Digital plates also include GPS location tracking.

This would allow employers with a fleet of cars to keep track of the movements of each vehicle.

Location data can also be passed onto police to help trace a stolen car.

In Dubai, the digital plates' location data will be synced up to an account registered to the driver, so that speeding fines, parking fees and road fines will be remotely taken by the cops.

Dubai police claim the technology will be used to help emergency services locate accidents.

Digital licence plates can be customised in a variety of ways – from light and dark themes, to personalised messages in support of a chosen charity 

The licence plates are powered by a similar display technology to Kindle e-readers.

Unlike traditional backlit displays, e-ink remains easy to read — even in direct sunlight.

The digital display also allows the plate to be customised, with drivers able to pick between a light or dark theme.

Drivers can also add a brief DMV-approved message beneath the number on the plate.

According to Reviver Auto, this can be used to voice support for a chosen charity, or a slogan like 'Don't Drink and Drive' as well as more comical bumper sticker-style messages like 'My Child is an Honor Student'.

A future update will allow the licence plates to display targeted advertising on parked vehicles, however, this feature is still pending approval from the California DMV.

Reviver Auto CEO Neville Boston claims the digital licence plates offer strong security to prevent any threat from hackers.

Boston says the plates offer the 'same level of security as online banking', thanks to its 'thee-key encryption protocols.'