Authentication of vehicles in preparation for V2V communication includes vehicle A taking a picture of vehicle B (VA) and vehicle B taking a picture of vehicle A (VB). These pictures are then shared. Vehicle A determines the relative location of vehicle B indicated in VA and VB. If they agree, then vehicle A and B authenticate one another, such as using Diffie-Hellman key exchange. Identifying vehicle A and vehicle B in the pictures may include identifying the license plates of vehicle A and vehicle B in the pictures. Vehicles A and B may exchange license plate numbers prior to taking of the pictures. Image spoofing may be prevented by taking both forward and rearward facing pictures by both vehicles. Objects in pictures facing the same direction may be identified to verify that the pictures were taken nearly simultaneously.