High-security number plates to be mandatory in Karnataka

Motorists who registered their vehicles more than two years ago will have to change the number plates as Karnataka is making the installation of High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) mandatory for all vehicles.

As per the Transport Department’s data, 2.10 crore vehicles were registered till March 2019, of which 80.49 lakh were registered in Bengaluru alone. The owners will have to pay to replace the number plates.

The rule for installing HSRPs is already applicable for vehicles registered after April 1, 2019. The State government had initiated the implementation of HSRP in 2010-11. However, the tender process was embroiled in various controversies and the matter also reached the courts.

HSRP:

• A high security registration plate is made up of aluminium and is fixed on the vehicle using two non-reusable locks.
• The registration plate comes with a hot-stamped chromium-based hologram of Ashoka Chakra on the top left corner which is blue in colour and precisely measures 20mm x 20mm.
• At the bottom left corner of the plate is a 10-digit PIN (permanent identification number) that is laser-engraved on the reflective sheet.
• Similarly, the HSRP also comes with a hot-stamped film applied on the registration numerals and letters bearing the inscription ‘India’ at a 45-degree angle. Once the unique registration is fixed, it is then electronically linked to the vehicle.
• The central govt has not capped the price of HSRP which means the cost could differ in various states.
• On average, the HSRP costs around Rs 400 for two-wheelers, up to Rs 1,100 for four-wheelers depending on the category. The colour-coded stickers can be fitted for Rs 100 for vehicles with an HSRP.

Benefits:

The primary reason behind this mandate is that the old number plates are quite easy to tamper with and can be taken out or switched easily.

A stolen vehicle always ends up with a replaced registration plate, making it difficult for the authorities to track it down, but the HSRPs come with a non-removable snap-on lock and are quite difficult to replace.

The HSRPs are also beneficial because essential details of a car including engine number and chassis number are stored in a centralized database.  The stored data along with the 10-digit PIN becomes crucial in identifying a stolen car.