Police Technology Targets Number Plates
Mar 25, 2019 
If you have been caught driving whilst suspended or disqualified, chances are you weren’t committing any other road traffic offence at the time you were detected by police. Our experience tells us that suspended or unlicensed drivers will try to attract as little attention as possible while on the road. So why did the police select your vehicle if you weren’t doing anything visibly wrong? The answer is all in the number plate.
Police are now using automatic number plate recognition technology to rapidly detect vehicles that are registered to suspended or unlicensed drivers. The new system is operated from within an unmarked van, linked to a roadside police camera. The technology uses infrared light to read number plates, which are then scanned into a computer to check registration details of the owner across the Victoria Police database. Police are also alerted to any other related offences or outstanding warrants of the registered owner.
Several hundred metres down the road from the van, a police car is positioned to pounce on any vehicle registered to a disqualified or suspended driver.
In one of the first tests of the new automatic number plate recognition technology in regional Victoria, police nabbed 34 illegal drivers in just one afternoon. The roadside cameras alerted police to 11 unregistered vehicles and seven disqualified and suspended drivers near Shepparton. Three people with outstanding warrants and 13 other various offences were also caught.
Police have now brought this technology to the city with an overwhelming police presence spied recently on Hoddle Street. And, it is not just roadside cameras catching people out in suburban areas.
Police cars have a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) fitted which allows the police officer to manually type in the registration details of any nearby vehicle and bring up the same registration information as the automatic number plate detection cameras.
The majority of the William Archer clients charged with a ‘driving whilst suspended/disqualified’ were caught out using one of these methods.
Remember, if you lend your car to someone while you are disqualified or suspended, you may wish to warn them that they may be pulled over by police that were alerted to the vehicle using the new automatic number plate detection technology.
Other Blogs
-
Vehicle Impoundment, Immobilisation & Forfeiture in Victoria – Know Your RightsHad your car impounded, immobilised, or facing forfeiture in Victoria? Learn how hoon laws work, when police can seize your vehicle, how to appeal, and when to get legal help. Practical guide from William Archer Defence Lawyers.
March 31, 2026Read more
-
Failure to Nominate the Driver of a Motor Vehicle – s60 Road Safety ActIf you’ve been contacted by police and asked, “Who was driving your car?”, you might be thinking you can just say “no comment” and move on. A lot of people think that. This charge exists because, under Victorian law, the registered owner (or the person responsible for the vehicle) can be required to help identify […]
March 30, 2026Read more -
DUI – Driving Under the Influence | s49(1)(a) Road Safety Act VictoriaIf you’ve been charged with DUI, you’re probably scared. Most people are. This charge feels heavier than a normal drink driving charge. It often comes with words like “incapable”, “court”, “criminal record”, and sometimes “jail”. You might also be confused because you did not “blow high”, or you were not even given a breath test […]
March 27, 2026Read more -
Failing in the Duty of a Driver After an Accident – s61 ExplainedIf you’ve been charged with failing in the duty of a driver after an accident, most people are rattled. Many didn’t think what happened even counted as an “accident”. Others panicked at the scene and left, thinking they’d sort it out later. Some genuinely didn’t realise they were required to report it. Now there’s a […]
March 25, 2026Read more -
Dangerous or Negligent Driving Whilst Being Pursued by Police – s319AAIf you’ve been charged with dangerous or negligent driving while being pursued by police, this usually comes with a lot of fear. People worry about jail.They worry about losing their licence.They worry about their car being taken. Most people also say the same thing.“I wasn’t trying to run.”“I panicked.”“I didn’t think it was that bad.” […]
March 20, 2026Read more