Accurate license plate verification helps ensure valid vehicles are not issued citations and prevents potential complaints from residents and/or property managers.
Situation
A vehicle was cited even though it was properly safelisted. The issue occurred because only part of the dealer plate number was entered into the system. Dealer plates and temporary tags often contain additional letters or numbers that may not follow standard license plate formats.
Before issuing a citation, guards must ensure they have captured and entered the complete license plate exactly as it appears.
What You Should Do
1. Check Carefully
Always read the entire license plate.
Dealer plates and temporary tags may include:
Additional letters
Prefixes or suffixes
Small characters located on the side of the plate
Non-standard plate layouts
Do not assume the largest numbers on the plate are the complete plate number.
2. Verify in the System
Enter the complete license plate exactly as it appears.
Make sure:
All letters are included
All numbers are included
Prefixes and suffixes are entered correctly
The plate is checked carefully before issuing a citation
3. Ask for Assistance
If a plate does not return as safelisted and you are unsure whether you have entered it correctly:
Contact your supervisor or dispatcher
Verify the plate before taking enforcement action
Never guess or assume a vehicle is not authorized
Common Dealer Plate Examples
Dealer and temporary plates can vary significantly in appearance and format.
Examples include:
D8282
7D4192
ID80501
281751A
2835013
Remember that dealer plates often contain letters and numbers in unusual locations or formats.
Example From the Field
A plate was entered as:
45257
The complete dealer plate was:
4545730Q
Because the full plate was not entered, the vehicle appeared to be unauthorized even though it was safelisted.
This type of mistake can result in unnecessary citations, resident complaints, and additional administrative work.
Key Takeaway
When dealing with dealer plates, temporary tags, or any plate format that appears unusual:
Slow down, verify the complete plate, and ask for assistance if needed.
Taking an extra moment to confirm the plate information can prevent incorrect citations and maintain a professional level of service.
