Here is more B.S.
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/news/2005/002-2005.htm
State introduces Point of Sale Sticker Printing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, January 24, 2005
A new vehicle registration sticker process is being expanded in additional counties across the state after an initial rollout that began last summer. The new registration stickers, which will be issued at county tax offices and authorized subcontractors, feature several improvements to deter sticker misuse and eliminate the need for state inventory control.
The new process, called Point of Sale Sticker Printing (POSSP), allows registration stickers to be printed at the time of sale. Information specific to the registered vehicle is printed directly on the sticker, which helps deter theft. TxDOT switched from license plate stickers to windshield stickers for most passenger vehicles about a decade ago to cut down on theft, and the new method will enhance these efforts. (Plate stickers are still used for motorcycles, trailers and some other types of vehicles.) Each sticker uniquely identifies the registered vehicle by showing the last eight digits of the vehicle identification number, the license plate number, county of registration, and registration month and year. The new identification features greatly enhance law enforcement efforts to deter sticker abuse. County tax offices also welcome the efficiencies offered by the new system, which uses existing equipment supplied by the state.
POSSP was implemented in 191 counties across the state in August 2004, with this initial phase including counties that do not process transactions through subcontractor stations (e.g., grocery stores) or automobile dealerships. Counties that authorize subcontractor stations to issue the stickers, like Grayson County, are now implementing the new system after it was piloted in McLennan County. The final phase will include pilot programs in Williamson, Angelina and Harris Counties to implement automobile dealership transactions. Full statewide implementation is expected to be completed by spring.
When the POSSP method is completely implemented, the new type of sticker will be issued for all registration renewals, including in-person, mail-in and Internet transactions. POSSP prints the sticker on the customer’s receipt, so stapling stickers and maintaining manual sticker books will no longer be necessary. This also eliminates the manufacturing and storage of 400,000 pre-printed sticker books annually for the previous system.
In the past, yearly windshield stickers were printed in mass quantities based on projections of annual vehicle registrations. POSSP will eliminate the waste of excess stickers resulting from this process each year. As each sticker is printed "on demand" for a specific vehicle rather than pre-printed and later assigned to a vehicle, any internal accounting of the blank forms used for the POSSP is now optional rather than required. Registration transactions will be tracked through the state’s automated Registration and Title System in much the same way as the previous method.
"This new method is a vast improvement in Texas registration processes," said Michael W. Behrens, TxDOT executive director. "Because the system connects each sticker with its registered vehicle, it is now much easier for law enforcement to identify misused stickers. The efficiency allows us to better serve our customers, and we’re always pleased when we can improve the quality of our services."
Another article...
State shifts gears on registration decals
05:30 AM CDT on Wednesday, September 21, 2005
By TONY HARTZEL / The Dallas Morning News
Texas windshields are undergoing a makeover, but not everyone is happy with the results so far.
In the last year, the Texas Department of Transportation unveiled a redesigned vehicle registration sticker for the state's 18.4 million registered cars and trucks. But change, particularly on such a massive scale, has not been easy.
First, the state had to recall 1.2 million blank stickers after thousands of motorists could not peel them from their accompanying sheets. Many motorists also have complained loudly about the application instructions on the sticker form, prompting the state to form focus groups to help write new directions.
Adding further angst for the state: Officials are no longer sticking by their hopes that the new stickers will save money, at least in the short term. The old stickers cost less than 5 cents each to produce, and the new decals probably won't match that in at least the first year.
"The way it's looking, it may be more expensive," said Christina Flores, the interim spokeswoman for the Transportation Department's vehicle titles and registration division.
"There will be savings once we've had this thing going for at least a year."
Tax assessors in rural counties started distributing the new stickers last year. Texas' largest urban areas, which have two-thirds of all registered vehicles, began receiving the new stickers this summer.
Reasons for change
A state audit several years ago suggested the need for a new system, citing fraud, counterfeiting and security concerns.
The new decals are printed on demand, which makes blank stickers less attractive to thieves. When printed, the new stickers include a vehicle's license plate number, county of origin and partial vehicle identification number directly on it.
By far, the most complaints have come from the difficulty in pulling apart the sticker and its accompanying sheet.
The vendor, which contracts with the Texas prison system to produce the stickers, has adjusted the amount of silicone between the sticker and sheet so they can be pulled apart more easily. Most of those problems appear to be resolved, and the state and vendor try to check every box of sticker sheets before they are distributed, Ms. Flores said.
Having problems?
Vehicle owners who experience problems should notify officials immediately so stockpiles of blank sticker sheets can be checked for defects, said Collin County Tax Assessor Kenneth Maun.
"We're going to do whatever we can. We know there have been problems, but we will try to walk people through it," said Mr. Maun, whose office started issuing the stickers in June.
Mr. Maun's office also has taken precautions to help prevent the sheets from sticking, including stacking boxes of sticker sheets no more than two high. The pressure from the weight of the boxes could affect the ability to pull them apart, he said.
The new stickers didn't faze some motorists waiting last week in Richardson.
Frisco resident Shavak Ghadially successfully applied a new registration sticker to one of his vehicles and was ready for a sticker for a second vehicle on Friday.
"It took a little time for me at first, but I have no complaint," he said. "With new things, it takes some time, but you have to learn about it. You've got to learn something new to get something better."
After reading the instructions, Richardson resident Reda Chebaa was ready to make the sticker switch in the tax assessor parking lot.
"It looks weird," he said. "But as long as it sticks on my windshield, I'm fine."
I cut the edge of mine to reduce the size of the foggy tape.
Here is a picture of the stock ugly sticker.
