KZN cracks down on motorists still using old number plates
Authorities have warned motorists still using old number plates that they face fines, impoundment and possible criminal charges.
With the November deadline long gone to change over to the new ‘ZN’ number plate, the KZN Department of Transport has vowed to crack down on motorists who continue to ignore the order to migrate their vehicles.
According to Berea Mail, department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said that November 30 was the deadline for the migration of the old-style number plates (eg ND, NP, NPS etc). “To date, around 15 000 have not migrated.”
According to the department, more than 1 731 774 vehicles have migrated to the new number plate system. This includes all government vehicles within the province. Sibiya warned motorists who continue to flout the rules that there are serious consequences.
“RTI and traffic officers across all municipalities are already issuing fines to motorists using old number plates. The deadline was around November and we repeated for almost two years that there won’t be any extension,” said Sibiya.
Why the system changed
The new licence numbering system came into effect on December 1, 2023 with all number plates in the province ending in ZN. At the time the department said the number plates will not depict the towns and demarcation, but will instead have a continuous numbering system.
The changes to the new licence numbering system were prompted by some towns running out of numbers. “KZN has 1 782 839 licensed and around 76 774 that are unlicensed,” said Sibiya.
Crackdown and penalties
With the crackdown now fully underway, Transport MEC Siboniso Duma warned that motorists who fail to comply face fines, possible vehicle impoundment and even criminal charges for repeat offences.
“Repeated offences could lead to a criminal charge and a court appearance. A vehicle may be seized on the spot, and the owner will have to pay for towing and storage to retrieve it,” said Duma.
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