Rs 800 is the cost of new license plates

New cars that are being sold are now equipped with the new number plates. And from July 1, all cars must have the new number plates. This rule was originally going to be applied in August, 2010. The authorities then postponed it to February this year.

Now the plates have white numbers and letters drawn on a black background. Nevertheless, the new plates will be standardised with the white colour at the front and yellow at the rear. This will allow the police to read the plate numbers at night. It will also allow speed cameras to better capture the plate number of vehicles.

Motorists could not buy their number plates in shops or have them custom made. Under the new regulations, the driver must first produce his identity card and his vehicle’s horse power for the purchase of a new number plate.

But, according to a spokesperson of the Motor Vehicles Dealers Association (MVDA), police officials are fining motorists who already have the new plates. “Initially, all vehicles were required to display the new number plates from February 1 but the National Transport Authority (NTA) asked for the new rule to be postponed,” said the spokesperson.

The latter added, “Motorists have until July 1. Those purchased new vehicles have already placed their order with the new plates. But police has fined several drivers with the new plates.” The ministry intends to suspend the law that says all motorcycles and mopeds are required to have a speedometer.