SECTION 217.59. Digital License Plate Testing

Before the initial deployment of a digital license plate model and for each subsequent hardware upgrade, which includes all physical aspects of the digital license plate except for the mounting bracket, a digital license plate provider must provide the department with documentation sufficient for the department to be assured that the digital license plate model for which approval is sought was tested in a manner set forth by the department. The documentation must include a description of the testing protocols and methods. Digital license plate testing must be conducted by governmental entities, universities, or independent nonprofit research and development organizations. Testing must include:

(1) reflectivity testing with results demonstrating that the digital license plates are manufactured utilizing reflectorized material as required by Transportation Code, §504.005, and are reflective in daytime, as defined in Transportation Code, §541.401 and nighttime, as defined in Transportation Code, §541.401 with the use of low beam headlights, at a distance of no less than 75 feet. Reflectivity testing with results demonstrating that the digital license plates perform consistently with the International Organization for Standardization ISO 7591, clauses 6 and 7 is preferred;

(2) legibility and readability testing with results demonstrating that digital license plates are legible in daytime, as defined in Transportation Code, §541.401 and nighttime, as defined in Transportation Code, §541.401, using low beam headlights, under optimal conditions at a distance of no less than 75 feet; and are readable with commercially-available automated license plate readers and in a variety of weather conditions; and

(3) commercially-available penetration testing, as approved by the department, for the protection of the digital license plate, the electronic display information, and the digital license plate provider's systems. In addition to testing before initial approval and each subsequent hardware upgrade, testing described in this paragraph must be completed for each software or firmware upgrade.

Source Note: The provisions of this §217.59 adopted to be effective July 12, 2020, 45 TexReg 4358