Transport department improve security features on number plate

THE Department of Transport has started a process to standardise, as well as improve the security features of South African motor vehicle number plates.

On 28 January 2015, the Department of Transport published in the government gazette draft regulation amendments to effect changes to motorvehicle number plates.

Through the notice, the South African public was invited to make objections, inputs and comments as part of the public consultation process.

Department of Transport assistant media liaison officer, Thabane Nhlengethwa, said the Department, through Ministers and members of executive council (MinMec), was considering inputs gained from the public consultation process as well as research and expert submissions to the Department. ”The Department’s internal discussions and consultation process on the matter are ongoing. At the end of the Departmental consultation process, the matter will be presented to cabinet,” he said.

The current South African number plate is prone to abuse by unregistered number plate manufacturers and the system in its current form is also used by criminals who clone vehicles and commit other forms of crime.

Nhlengethwa said improvements to the number plates will ensure that manufacturers, through coding, account for every motor vehicle number plate that is issued.

“On the issue of standardisation, MinMec is currently considering various options including the use of the national flag as well as provincial coats of arms.

“The security features of the numbers plates are also part of the broad road safety strategy,” said Nhlengethwa.