The issue of illegal number plates has become a persistent problem in our country, with numerous instances of individuals driving or riding vehicles without proper registration plates. Shockingly, some even replace the actual number with their caste name on the plates. While law enforcement agencies nationwide have been taking action against such offenders and imposing fines, the practice continues to persist.

Recently, the Kerala Motor Vehicle Department highlighted this issue by sharing a video on their official Facebook page. The video showcased a BMW luxury sedan with an illegal number plate, which was promptly pulled over by the police, and the driver was issued a fine. This incident occurred in Kerala’s Kollam district.

According to reports, the driver had affixed an unlawful registration plate that read “Y-PIT CUSTOMZ,” concealing the car’s actual registration details. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the vehicle was registered in Delhi. The Motor Vehicle Department thoroughly examined all the necessary documents and took appropriate action, issuing a challan for the use of an illegal number plate on public roads. The exact amount of the fine remains undisclosed.

Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department has earned a reputation for its resolute stance against such violations. Notably, the state government invested over 200 crores in the installation of AI cameras in various locations across the state. However, this system faced challenges, leading the department to deploy Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors (AMVIs) to control rooms for manual inspection of images before issuing fines. In addition to the AI camera installation, the department has also introduced comprehensive plans to curb reckless driving among young drivers.

Regarding vehicle registration plates, a pivotal change was made in 2015 when the Motor Vehicle Act’s Section 50 was amended to ensure uniformity in number plates for all vehicles in India. According to these regulations, private vehicles must display black letters on a white background, while commercial vehicles should have yellow backgrounds with black lettering. Additionally, all characters on the plates must be in English, adhering to prescribed font and size standards, which unfortunately, many fail to comply with.

Newer vehicles are now equipped with High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), featuring tamper-proof bolts and holograms for authenticity verification. The importance of adhering to these rules is underscored by instances like the aforementioned BMW with the concealed number plate. In such cases, authorities would be left without the means to track the vehicle in the event of an accident or any illegal activity. It is crucial that registration plates remain unobstructed, free from stickers or other names.