Toll Dodger Employed a 007 Device to Outsmart Police, Until He Was Caught | Carscoops

      Police confiscated a device designed to conceal license plates from a modified blue Lexus GS after identifying the unlawful toll-evading apparatus.

      21 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      Lexus caught utilizing a remote-controlled stealth plate curtain device.

      Authorities confiscated the illegal device and issued nine demerit points.

      The viral stunt to avoid tolls concludes with a fine and the confiscation of the gadget.

      Some drivers will go to surprising lengths to avoid tolls, but one particularly sophisticated attempt has now put its creator in trouble. In August, an Australian motorist recorded something suspicious on his dashcam.

      As he passed under a toll gantry beside a vivid blue Lexus GS, he noticed that something seemed off. The license plate on the Lexus appeared to be blank.

      As he was commenting on how 'dodgy' it looked, the actual number plate became visible as though it had never been obscured. Now, law enforcement has intervened and enforced the rules.

      Cloaking Devices on the Road

      New South Wales police reported that the driver—a 22-year-old—used a "stealth plate curtain" to evade tolls. The viral video shared by Dash Cam Owners Australia was allegedly just one instance of the James Bond-like device being used.

      The striking, heavily modified blue GS was not difficult to spot or recognize.

      Authorities stopped the vehicle in Stanmore after noticing the same setup on both the front and rear plates. The arrangement included a motorized blackout curtain operated via the vehicle's electronics and controlled from a module located in the center console.

      With the press of a button, the driver could completely cover his plates, successfully bypassing standard surveillance. Police promptly seized the equipment during the stop.

      What’s the Excuse This Time?

      From that point, excuses began to emerge. According to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, the driver asserted that the system was installed because he had "no other way" to mount the plates and needed to conceal "flaws" in his vibrant blue vinyl wrap. Unsurprisingly, officers were not convinced.

      They issued the driver an infringement notice along with a substantial fine. Additionally, the violation resulted in nine demerit points on his license. As reported by Carexpert, the maximum number of points one can accrue in Australia before losing a license is 15.

      Depending on the type of license this driver possesses, it’s possible he has hit the limit with just this single offense. While fancy spy-like gadgets may seem appealing, recognizing when and where to employ them can differentiate between a bit of enjoyment and incurring fines.

      Credit: NSW Police