Get one with the macro feature, so you can take pictures close up of text (data plates). A $150 camera will do everything you need to do.
You dont even need the software and I would advise againt using the cameras software; plug the camera into your PC using a USB cable or better yet, take the memory card and plug that into your PC using a memory card reader. Windows will recogize it and Windows Camera Wizard will assit you in transfering the pics to the PC.
(I have a BS in computer science...let me know if you need more info.)