good motoring
High-security number plates
H. Kishie Singh

The Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, were amended in 2011. According to the rules, all cars would carry the high security registration plates (HSRP), which would be made of a special aluminium material, 10 mm thick. The letters would be embossed by carving and chemically etched and heat treated. In addition, the number plates would have chips embedded in them so that the vehicles could be traced by GPS

It would have a chromium hologram, a retro-reflective film bearing a verification number. The letters 'IND' must also be inscribed preceding the number allotted by the RLA.

The new single-line horizontal number plate must be 500 mm long and 120 mm wide

The single line horizontal plate must be 500 mm long and 120 mm wide. In case the number has to be in two lines, the number plate must be 320 mm x 200 mm. The font can be Helvetica Bold, Tobiana or Universal. The thickness of the lettering must be 10 mm.

Obviously, the writing must be in English, both alpha and numeric. For private vehicles, the lettering has to be black on a white background. Commercial vehicles must have a yellow background; the letters stay black. Temporary registration plates should have red letters on a yellow background.

It should be clear from the specifications mentioned above that a very special machine and material are required to make these plates. No one in the area seems to have one. The machine is expected to cost Rs 7 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. The procedure is complicated, and this means that the H.S.R.P. would be expensive. The plus points are extensive and entirely in favour of the car owner.

It is recommended that the HSRP should be riveted to the car body. It will in all probability be easier to steal the car than to remove the HSR plates that have been riveted on. Any other material like steel, plastic or brass for the number plates will not be acceptable. Hand-painted number plates or with plastic stickers will also not be acceptable. They are all illegal.

The recommended material will not be affected by fire. Keep in mind that the registration plate is your car’s pedigree. If your car is lost, stolen, misplaced or destroyed by fire, the only way it can be traced or identified is by the registration number plate.

Since the HSRP as per government specifications is not available at the moment, an "authorised" number plate can be fitted. There is only one "authorised" number plate maker who has the correct material and specifications. It is Utch Prodyogiki Plates in Mani Majra. Any number of plate makers in the motor market are making these "look-alike" plates. They will save you from being challaned but they will not have the material and longevity of the authorised plate.

In addition to the two plates on the car, a third plate could be made mandatory in the near future. It is a brass plate 10cm x 6cm and has the phone number of the Chandigarh Police Control Room, the helpline number, and, of course, the vehicle registration number, engine number, chassis number. In addition, it has the registered owner's name, address and phone number. In the absence of all pertinent documents, this will allow the police to trace the car owner in case of theft or accident.

There must be around a thousand impounded vehicles lying with the police in Chandigarh alone. The police is unable to trace the owners. The third ID plate will be a great help to the police and owner. It will be a unique identification just like the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Before a vehicle leaves the manufacturer, it is given a VIN for the rest of its life. This number will help you source spares, service and identify the vehicle.

Happy motoring.