Sir,

This is with reference to letters published in this column on the use of defective number plates by several vehicle users. Different types of number plates are being noticed on city roads which are against the rules of Indian Motor Vehicles Act. The size of the number plate as well as the letters and numbers are clearly mentioned in the Act.

According to Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, the size of number plates for two and three wheelers is 200 x 100 mm and for light motor vehicles it is 340 x 200 mm. For passenger car it is 500 x 120 mm and for medium and heavy commercial vehicles the number plate should be of 340 x 200 mm size.

Pasting the registration number on mudguard, dome, on the body or on a narrow bar (like in case of some autos), use of ‘Dracula font’, fancy lettering, altering numerals to imitate alphabets (8055 as BOSS for example), folding the number plate to hide the number, use of small and big numerals, plates not conforming to prescribed size, writing text (names) or graphics or photos and display of registration number in single line on the rear side are common offences.

Number plates are not visible in many bikes as they are located much inside, below the headlight. Nowadays, many are turning their front number plate towards the sky making it unreadable by cameras.

In all these violations, fine for first time offence is Rs. 100 and for repeat offence it is Rs. 300. Next repeated offence and disobeying previous warnings attracts a fine of Rs. 500. Not having the number plate also attracts similar fines under Rule 50, Section 177 of the M.V. Act. Public are advised to comply with the said rules to avoid penalisation by traffic Police or RTO officials.

– Dr. S. V. N. Vijayendra, Traffic Warden & Member, City Traffic Advisory Committee, Roopanagar, 23.12.2017

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