High Security Number Plates mandatory in UT from Aug 1

In pursuant to Central Motor Vehicle Rules,as notified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to introduce High Security Registration Plate System in India,the UT Transport Department,today notified “the implementation of the High Security Registration Plates in the Union Territory of Chandigarh Scheme,2011”.

According to norms,the high security registration plate shall be required to be fastened on the front and rear of the vehicle. In case of three- and four-wheel vehicles,a third registration plate,in the form of a self-destructive sticker shall be affixed on the windshield of the vehicle. The sticker,carrying the engine and chasis number of the vehicle,shall be self-destructive,in case of any tampering.

The vendors,for the job,have already been notified and approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. All such vendors eligible under the “Motor Vehicles (New High Security Registration Plates) Order,2001” and under “Rule 50 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules,1989” shall be able to sell these number plates to the vehicles registered with Registering and Licensing Authority,Chandigarh. The vendors shall be required to possess a valid “Type Approval Certificate” issued by any of the testing agencies,authorised by the Centre.

It shall be the responsibility of the vehicle owner to procure the High Security Number Plate and the self-destructive sticker from the authorised vendors. The vehicle owners shall also be required to bring a person to fasten or affix HSRNP on the vehicle.

It is also made mandatory that the fastening or affixing of the HSRNP,on the vehicle,shall be done within the premises of the Registering authority Sector 17; or at the office of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (East) Industrial Area,Phase-I; or SDM (South),Sector 42,in the presence of the Registering and Licensing Authority or his authorised representative.

The Number Plate

The HSRNP concept dates back to 1997 when the Standing Technical Committee of Central Motor Vehicles Rules recommended that they be instated by 1999. Before doing so,the Committee studied the prevalent security features on number plates in different countries. The Ministry also engaged several agencies to shortlist vendors to manufacture these number plates and notified the scheme in 2001. The tamper-proof number plates are estimated to cost about Rs 2,500 per vehicle. There shall be multiple vendors authorised to issue HSRNP. The vendors are yet to be identified by the Chandigarh Administration. “There are as such 18 companies,which are doing the job throughout the country. Those companies are being contacted,who shall be setting up their outlets in Chandigarh soon and start the process from August 1,” said UT Secretary (Home-cum-Transport) Ram Niwas.

Unique Features

* Unique laser numbering containing the alphanumeric identification of testing agencies and manufacturers

* Embossed registration numbers as well as chromium hologram on the aluminium plates

* Rear registration plates fitted with non-reusable snap locks to make them tamper-proof

* A third chromium-based registration plate in the form of sticker to be attached to the windshield. It will contain the registration number of the vehicle,engine and chasis numbers,laser branded permanent identification number of the vehicle,along with the name of the registering authority. If tampered with,it self-destructs

* In front and rear registration plates,the letters ‘IND’ and a Chakra ,in blue hot to be stamped to the plates

* A retro-reflective film,bearing a verification inscription ‘India’ at an inclination of 45 degrees.

The Process

The new vehicle owner will first approach the RLA with all the requisite documents and apply for a registration number.

A number shall be allotted to the vehicle,following which the vehicle owner will have to approach the HSRNP vendor for getting the registration number plate. Once the plate is ready,the HSRNP vendor’s representative will have to fasten the number plate on the vehicle in presence of the RLA’s representatives. A unique 9-digit alphanumeric code shall be allotted to the vehicle by the HSRNP vendor,which shall be recorded in the database maintained by the RLA. After the code is issued and the plate is fastened,only then the vehicle owner shall be given the Registration Certificate.\ For old vehicles,the owner shall approach the HSRNP vendor with the Registration Certificate; get the plate and then bring the vehicle to the RLA,where the new plate shall be fastened and a unique 9-digit alphanumeric code shall be issued,which shall be recorded in the RLA’s database.