Starting next year, you’ll be able to put your vehicle registration on your smart phone.
PennDOT thinks it’s a good idea, but local police have some serious concerns.
“Being able to download this information on a cell phone and keep it there sounds great, but what if number one: their phone is dead or they don’t have it with them,” said Logan Township Police Chief Tim Mercer. “They have no way to prove that they have valid registration or insurance on the vehicle.”
Drivers have been able to pay for their registration online or on a mobile device for three years. Now, PennDOT is doing away with registration stickers.
“I can see a lot of older folks finding it confusing,” said Kim Curtis, Hollidaysburg. “Our demographic here is… we’re an aging population in this region.”
“Realistically, it’s not practical,” Duncansville Police Chief James Ott said.
PennDOT said eliminating the sticker will make things easier. You can print out a permanent card or pull it up on your smart phone. It’s not easier for everyone, though.
“My next door neighbor’s 97,” Curtis said. “She doesn’t have a smart phone, doesn’t have a computer. We will get the phone call. We will get the phone call to help her.”
“Now we’re virtually gonna have to run every plate we would get behind versus trying to seek out by visual aid the validation sticker we currently have,” Chief Ott said.
Police use expired stickers as probable cause to make a traffic stop. Sometimes those stops lead to much more.
“Not having insurance, driving a vehicle while under suspension, and we won’t have that anymore,” Chief Mercer said.
Both Mercer and Ott said it’s more hassle than helpful.
“I don’t want to hold it, potentially drop it on the ground, and then be liable for the repairs for that phone,” Chief Mercer said. “I’m also uncomfortable with taking that back to the patrol car and then have allegations that we looked at other things within that phone.”
The last registration sticker will be issued December 30th at the end of this year.