Number plate violations: Over 1,500 cases registered in Hyd in 2 days, Rs. 26K collected in fines

Hyderabad: More than 1,500 cases of illegal number plates have been registered in Hyderabad in the last two days, according to the data provided by the Hyderabad traffic police. A fine of Rs. 26,600 has been collected for the same.

On 20 March, the Hyderabad traffic police had started a special drive to catch vehicles with illegal number plates in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The Sulthan Bazar traffic police station registered the highest number of number plate violation cases, 126. The Trimulgherry traffic police station booked 113 cases whereas the Jubilee Hills traffic police station booked 98 cases.

Hyderabad joint commissioner of police (traffic) A.V Ranganath said, "Many of the number plates had something inscribed on it mentioning name, rank, status, etc." Further, he said that many celebrities and MLAs were also caught and asked to remove stickers and other inscriptions.

Mr. Ranganath also said that black films on windows, stickers on windshields, inscriptions, modified horns, and lights were the other major kinds of violations identified among vehicle users in the city.

RTA guidelines on number plates

According to the Motor Vehicle Act (Rule 50 and 51), one should only use a unique number plate that is issued by the Road Transport Authority (RTA).

The registration letters and numbers should be black on a white background for two-wheelers, light motor vehicles, and cars. For commercial vehicles, the letters should be black on a yellow background.

Additionally, fancy, fiber, and plastic lettering are not permitted. Other names, pictures, and art should not be displayed on the number plate.

The size of the number plates should be 200x100 mm for two- and three-wheelers. For light motor vehicles and passenger cars, the size of the number plate should be 340x200 mm or 500x120 mm. For medium/heavy commercial vehicles, the size of the number plate should be 340 x 200 mm.

The registration number should be displayed both at the front and rear of all motor vehicles, clearly and legibly. In the case of motorcycles, registration numbers in the front should be displayed parallel to the handlebar on any part of the vehicle such as a mudguard or a plate. The registration mark on light motor vehicles may be in the center with illumination.

Registration numbers exhibited at the rear of the transport vehicles should be on the right-hand side at a height not exceeding one meter from the ground level as may be reasonably possible. For transport vehicles, the registration number should also be painted on both the left and right sides of the body of the vehicle.

In the case of stage carriages and contract carriages, registration numbers should also be painted on a partition provided between the driver and passengers or on the front left side interior near the roof facing the passengers' seats. For motor cabs or taxi cabs, the number can be painted on the dashboard.

The letters of the registration mark should be in English and the figures in Arabic numerals. The registration number should be exhibited in two lines – the state code (AP) and registering authority code forming the first line and the remaining number in the second line. The registration mark of all motor vehicles in the front and two-wheelers having no sufficient provision at the rear may be exhibited in a single line.