Number Plate Norms Updated Under Central Motor Vehicles Rules

Skoda-Rapid-TSI-4 — Number plate norms have been updated by the Road Transport MInistry

Number plate norms have been updated under Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) with the addition of two new inclusions.

The new norms state that it is now illegal to drive a new vehicle with a temporary registration number that is printed on paper and pasted on the vehicle.

The Ministry of Road Transport made the changes under CMVR rules, notifiying a comprehensive norm for colour code for alphanumeric details and for the background portion used for displaying the registration number of 11 categories of vehicles.

Two new inclusions have been made to the list – vehicles with temporary number plates and those in possession of dealers.

The Ministry states that the changes have been brought to bring clarity in respect of an amendment notified in June 1989 on “the assignment of registration mark on vehicles for various States and Union Territories at a glimpse”.

Thus, the new norms state that a vehicle’s number plate can only display capital letters in English and Arabic numerals.

Nothing else must be written on it and even displaying registration details in various other languages or in small letters is outlawed.

What’s more, the notification even specifies the dimensions of numbers and alphabets on a number plate. The height, thickness and space should be exactly 65 mm, 10 mm and 10 mm, respectively. However, 2- and 3-wheelers are exempted.

Authorities reckon this would help cameras with automated number plate recognition clearly capture the plates, thus aiding law enforcement.

Another thing that would help law enforcement officers throughout the country is the implementation of High Security Registration Plate (HSRP). But many States are yet to implement it.