Emojis Car Plates: Australian state of Queensland allows people to use personalised plate

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Fans of emojis might want to consider moving to the Australian state of Queensland. The Queensland government has rolled out a world-first program allowing people to add an emoji to their license plates. Greg Navarro explains.

For some people, the plate on the front of their vehicles has become more than a random sequence of numbers and letters. It's a way to "max" their chances of being noticed, by adding a personal touch to a normally impersonal piece of metal.

"It's just something that we wanted so that when we are driving around town everyone knows who we are."

Now the state of Queensland is giving personalised plate proponents a chance to go where no driver has gone before - with an emoji.

"I think emojis - it's the way of the future and a lot of the young ones love that sort of thing."

There are 5 choices which Personalised Plate Queensland describes as smiley face, heart eyes, sunglasses face, laugh out loud and winking face.

"Yeah, I did wonder if there were going to be any inappropriate options."

The department stresses that they won't be used for identification - but rather as a way to quote "brighten up the roads".

"It does sound like a lot of fun."

Whether an emoji helps to defuse a tense experience for some remains to be seen.

"The worst case of road rage we've come across, all of it caught on camera."

"No I don't think it would work, probably make it a bit worse - probably make fun of you."

And not everyone we talked to thought putting a big round face on the front of their car was a good idea.

"Not for me, definitely not for me."

"No."

GREG NAVARRO BRISBANE "The chance to stand out in a crowd while behind the wheel here in Queensland comes at a cost - starting at about $475 AUD."

That price tag has only strengthened the resolve of skeptics.

"You are kidding, wow, what a waste of money."

Supporters say you're "never too old" to add a bit of flair as a way of "thriving" in traffic. Others simply don't see the benefit.

"What for? We smile a lot anyway we've just been married 40 years."

Proving that happiness can be found just about anywhere and now in Queensland, you can put a smile on the front of your car. Greg Navarro, CGTN, Brisbane.