Cool LED Plate Frame: How it Works, and IS IT LEGAL?

In this episode, I show off a custom laser-engraved acrylic license plate cover I modified with an ESP32 microcontroller to create dynamic lighting effects. You’ll see how I integrated it with LEDs for colors, wipes, fades, and even a flame effect. We dive into the science behind linear fiber optics and total internal reflection, plus explore how the etched design channels the light just where it’s needed.

Finally, we tackle the big question: is this legal for the road? We review both federal and state laws and examine the nuances that determine what’s street-legal.

If you enjoy tech, optics, or unique car mods, stick around for today’s deep dive in Dave’s Garage!

(Currently offered at $239 after you check the coupon box, so don't miss that!)

Follow me for updates!
Twitter: @davepl1968 davepl1968

[DataIsBeautifulOfficial]

That's one sweet-looking restored Pontiac 2+2!

[josefmazzeo]

The reason clear covers over license plates are illegal in many states is because many of them were optically designed to "wash out" the license plate details when a red light camera flash was incident on the plate/cover, so people could evade red light tickets, and also possibly plate scanners at toll crossings. Also many of those covers are plastic and craze over time, which makes the plate harder to read from a distance. They used to make a glossy spray which when sprayed over the plate would do the same effect as the clear plastic frames, but not sure if that still works or if it ever worked. It's almost like a cat-mouse game with people always trying to beat the system.

[alextravine]

This is an interesting observation.

Normally I have knowledge but no experience in the subject matter in your videos. However I happen to make rgb led art objects with microcontrollers so I have experience as well knowledge about the subject at hand. My observation is this,
Hearing you talk about something I consider as trivial and not really at all technical, and hearing you describe it in a way that gives me the same impressions of your guru ninja skills that other videos provide, I now see you have a fantastic way of sparking imagination with words.

Before I just thought you were a very seasoned professional in computers, and the subjects you talk about seemed so epic because you talked about actual epic things you did. Now I have 100% certainty that you likely can turn any topic into interesting and inspirational dialogue.

[jamiethomas]

I finally got into programming with an esp32. I ordered some back in april but only just now found time to learn everything. Since the recent claude update, I decided to pay for a month and have been using it to write code. Within two evenings, I had a canbus sniffer going for my polaris rzr. After figuring all that out, I made a neat way to visualize rpm’s. The logic applies to any vehicle. Display a spinning gear like animation. The number of teeth are equal to each 1000 rpm the vehicle is capable of. So 6500rpm for my rzr equals 6 teeth. Then for every 1000rpm one of the teeth extends out, and the gear spins slightly faster each 1000rpm. Its a pretty cool effect on a tiny oled display. Im planning to get a 4” round display and make a custom cluster that gets all data over the canbus. Im still looking at options to drive it.

I love seeing your automotive projects. They are different than most and inspire me to think outside the box more. AI is a perfect match for me with some programming experience but never got into any full projects. I can do in days with AI what would take me weeks or a month to do alone.

[MichaelEhling]

Of course the coding explanation was great, Dave. But I feel we got a bonus today with the physics lesson. I could even say that it was enlightening.

[larryblount]

Always being innovative. A credit to. Keeping the mind busy keeps the body healthy.

[Darkk]

Years ago I had a blue neon tube around my license plate and it looked really cool. From the distance the plate looks mostly white but I got pulled over and the cop said it has to be white. Ah well. This new plate looks friggin cool but can only be used while parked and off the public road. Would be cool to see the Knight Rider scanner effect instead of the "fire" led in the display. lol.

[smitm]

I had a plain (no onboard illumination of any kind) clear license plate cover on my vehicle for years until pulled over by an observant Seminole County (FL) Deputy who advised me of the statute prohibiting such. Cordial conversation, not ticketed by admonished to remove it promptly …

[treynolen]

I'm getting into LEDs, and the programming is not an issue. I've got that experience, and there is tons of documentation everywhere on it. The one thing I have trouble with and I don't find much information on is the installation. I don't see any good info on how people affix them to their walls, cabinets, signs, etc. How do they hide the wires, controllers, power supplies, etc I'd love to see you do something on that since you've got a lot of great fixtures around the shop!

[pufthemajicdragon]

This is awesome and I want one.
Side note: not an ad but the Seeed Studio Xiao SAMD21 has 5v pass-thru to its 5v rail, giving you as much power to your LEDs as your power supply can provide. The data sheet shows a diode on the rail that would limit you to 500ma, but Seeed has confirmed the diode isn't installed in manufacturing and I've confirmed this myself with physical inspection. This makes it a super tiny form factor with bulit-in USB-c power/data that can power a LOT of LEDs. I do like your little display, though, not that I need it for anything I'm making.
Now I just needa figure out how to make my own acrylic cover...

[pbhrbb]

There was a Toyota concept car, probably about 15 years ago, that had LCD license plates. It also had built in social media, to keep in touch with the rest of your convoy, because it was futuristic!

[officialfanofrichiebricker]

Very cool. You would think They would make an exception for this kind as it makes it easier to read the plate. But maybe it makes a distraction as well

[jadamsnz]

Great video. Made me think that the software could be expanded so that it is off when vehicle moving, red when brakes applied, white when moving at night and full disco mode when vehicle is parked. You could even add left to right or right to left animation when indicating and have it match the color of your car's turn signals.

[josefmazzeo]

BTW even if you can't use that lighted plate on your car, it makes a cool addition to your set background!

[AhmedAndrew]

*Making money is an action. Keeping money is a behavior, but "Growing money is wisdom" I just saw this quote🔥*

[rdyer]

How about eliminating all the acrylic except what's under the frame? With a diffused edge you could still illuminate the plate w/o any kind of cover. And if I remember correctly, plate illumination is mandatory in Washington. Plus you could always have a full, multi-color display running while you're parked at Burgermaster.

[gpTeacher]

One of my first laser projects was a laser etched house number sign. Worked perfectly. New homeowners took it down.. too bad.

[MikeHarris]

In Arizona, that is illigal for on road use.... You can use it at car shows and stuff, but in Arizona, ANY covering of a plate, even clear, is illigal. They passed this law a few years ago, along with any plate surrounts that cover the state name too.

[slycordinator]

According to the wording of the law, you'd need to change the lighting pattern to make the registration tabs visible. In the "white" mode, the letters are visible but the registration tab portion is black.

"License plate frames may be used on license plates only if the frames do not obscure license tabs or identifying letters or numbers on the plates and the license plates can be plainly seen and read at all times"

[redneckcoder]

Dude... you get pulled over as often as me. Must be one of our super powers!