Using TypeScript to Obtain One of the Rarest License Plates
a day ago
- #automation
- #vanity-plates
- #web-scraping
- The author discusses their pursuit of a distinctive digital identity, extending to vanity license plates.
- Explains the rarity hierarchy of license plates, from single numbers to two-letter combinations.
- Details the limitations of PlateRadar, a service for checking plate availability, and its paywall for rare plates.
- Describes the process of automating plate availability checks using Florida's DMV website, including bypassing ASP.NET security measures.
- Highlights the lack of rate-limiting on the DMV's website, allowing for mass automated requests.
- Shares the creation of a microservice and Next.js frontend to track and visualize plate availability.
- Recounts the near-miss and eventual success in securing a rare two-letter plate ('HY') through persistence and automation.