Vehicles with blank registration plates: Will RTO, Traffic Cops act?

Sir,

I wish to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned for corrective action at RTO and/ or Traffic Police to prevent cases of vehicles, especially the new two-wheelers,  being freely used on the roads without the registration number.

The basic purpose of the registration number with its specification of size, colour and format meant to be visible for the public and also the traffic management personnel is defeated during the period the vehicle is plying on the road with blank plates.

Recently, I happened to discuss this matter with a gentleman who was riding one such vehicle to understand the basic reason. I was told that the RTO personnel issue a receipt of registration and ask the owner to approach them after two weeks to collect registration number. In the meantime, the owner is told to use the vehicle and whenever asked by the Traffic Police, to show the receipt to avoid any penalty.

I do not know why a situation like this should arise in the first place. Is it because of shortage of numbers? Most unlikely. Is it alright for the vehicle to be used with blank plates and show the receipt whenever asked? What happens if the rider commits a traffic offence and runs away?

I request the authorities to please clarify and if necessary, issue a public notification for all such cases which are bound to increase in the days to come.

Incidentally, I am told by my son in Germany, that the system of registration there requires the owner to get the number plates made first and then only the process of registration is taken up.

In Germany, the owner has to first get the number plates made and then only registration process is taken up but in India the owner is first told to use the vehicle sans number plate and when caught show the receipt to Traffic Police to avoid any penalty. That is our Mahaan Bharat!?

Even in the case of change of ownership of the vehicle, the number plates are required to be changed because number plates are ownership dependent as against vehicle chassis/engine dependent in India.

– Prof. B.S. Shankara (retd.), Ramakrishnanagar, 8.8.2017

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