Consumer body flags incorrect arrangement of series letters in vehicle registration plates

Vehicle registration plates supplied by manufacturers and dealers are reportedly violating the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR), according to Coimbatore Consumer Cause. The issue concerns the way the series alphabets in registration numbers are split across two lines on High Security Registration Plates (HSRP).

Under CMVR 50(3), two-line registration plates must display the State code, registering authority code, and the entire series alphabets together on the first line, with the numbers appearing on the second line.

For example, a registration number with a two-letter series should have both letters together on the first line, followed by the numbers on the second line.

However, the HSRPs currently supplied separate the two alphabets in the series, placing one on the first line and the other on the second line before the numbers. This “series breakage” is not in accordance with the rules and can create confusion.

Consumers have no option but to use the plates provided by manufacturers or dealers, even though the plates do not comply with CMVR. Coimbatore Consumer Cause secretary K. Kathirmathiyon said vehicle owners could technically be penalised by authorities for not displaying the registration number as per rules, despite not being responsible for the incorrect plates.

The organisation had submitted a representation to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, urging immediate corrective action to ensure that HSRPs conform to CMVR standards.

The issue affects all two-line registration plates across the country where the series contains more than one alphabet. Registration plates displayed in a single line are not affected.

“The issue has been acknowledged at the government level, but no one is being penalised. At the local level, we ensure that the font and format of HSRPs remain consistent. Since 2019, no new vehicle is registered unless the plates fitted by manufacturers or dealers are linked to the ‘Vahan’ database,” said a Transport Department official.