How to manage and store dealer plates safely | KEYper Systems

How to manage and store dealer plates safely 

You'll drive yourself mad if you only try to protect the cars in your business and not your dealer plates. That's because thieves are just as attracted to the latter. And any thefts or losses could leave businesses facing costly consequences. Every state in the country has strict laws about the use of dealer plates, or “D-tags”.  They can only be used by a dealership owner, officer, or employee, or a customer on a test drive, in the majority. And a joy-rider swiping your D-tags could rack up costs in your name by running red lights and ignoring speed cameras or engaging in other road or parking violations. Remember, if your plates are lost or stolen, you must report it to the authorities immediately. To help you avoid the headache of legal woes or huge costs, we will guide you through the core ways to manage and store your plates securely, and the rewards you can reap if you do.

5 ways for dealerships to manage and store plates safely

1. Lock them away at night. Never leave dealer plates attached to a vehicle overnight as thieves will pluck them off like pearls from an oyster. The KEYper Dealer Plate Extension Cabinet keeps them hidden away from untrustworthy eyes. Each tag is securely attached and locked in place using our metal Lock-In iFob.
2. Implement strict control over access. It's important for business owners to decide who can access dealer plates so as to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Our clever design, which employs multiple access methods like a unique employee pincode, only allows authorized users to access assets.
3. License plate tracking for increased accountability. Employees are more likely to take greater care of items if their boss can trace exactly who used them and when. Our product offers administrative features that allow you to hold workers more accountable for losses. To help you manage your plates’ usage and minimize the risk of misplacement, you can set checkout time limits and enable notifications.
4. Sync it up with your key management system. When a customer wants to test drive a vehicle, you need quick and easy access to both the key and a dealer plate. Discovering either, or both, are missing can grind the sale to a halt. For this reason, choose a plate management system that works alongside and with your key storage solution. Our cabinet provides a simple way to add LOCK-IN control over dealer plates to an existing MX system. Authorized users can check out a plate in the same transaction as a vehicle key, offering a fast and seamless experience.
5. Install intelligent security cameras. For added protection, consider investing in modern video surveillance so you can keep your eyes on would-be criminals at all times. Floodlights, strobes, and piercing sirens can strike fear into the hearts of thieves. The iDter Security Camera, Niō, uses guardian nodes and audio communications to do just that. You benefit from instant notification, visibility and control through your phone, while iDter personnel can report any incidents to the authorities thanks to a video-verified alert through redundant 5 Diamond TMA Certified & UL listed central alarm stations.

What are the benefits of proper deal plate management? 

Be warned, out of all types of license plates, criminals most commonly target D-tags.  But it isn't just the thief who could face the wrath of the law. It could be a deal-breaker for you, the business owner. That's because if someone steals one of your plates and puts it on a car that is not part of your inventory, you could have your dealer license suspended or revoked. Either way, the financial losses could be disastrous. Also bear in mind that you would need to account for all the plates in your possession or face hefty fines in the case of an unexpected inspection from the dealer license bureau in your state. That's why it's so important to be able to quickly and easily access all your tags at any time. Another thing about efficiency: the sale process can soon get caught in a traffic jam if a dealer plate is missing. A customer might not wait around too long if they're keen to get on the road, and may be tempted by another dealership who’s able to make a quicker sale. That's why it's no good having an organized key system if your plate management is stuck in reverse.

Stay on the right track with KEYper

No-one wants to set up a test drive in the hopes of making a sale only to find their plate tracking system is full of potholes. Keep yourself on the right track to a smooth sale by installing a system that complements your existing key storage. But it's not just about efficiency and making profit: you're also in danger of losing money if you find yourself on the wrong side of the law or you fall victim to tag theft. When it comes to plate management, the message is clear: don't let it fall by the wayside.