Why Shouldn't You Use a Fancy Number Plate On Your Bike?

When you buy a new and costly bike, the urge to make customisations comes to mind. Similarly, the number plate can also be customised as per your choice. As per the law, every vehicle is bound to have a clear and visible number plate, both at the front and at the back. The use of any fancy design or pattern on licence plates makes it difficult for the police or other authorities to identify your vehicle. As a result, you might get in trouble.

Why Shouldn’t You Use A Fancy Number Plate?

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, you need to register your newly bought bike to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to give you a number plate to put on both sides of your bike. The RTO makes sure that you are provided with a proper number plate which abides by the legal rules and regulations. You might want to put your name, a fancy design or LED lights on the number plates but those are strictly prohibited by the law.

The font and size of the number on the plate have equal significance in maintaining vehicle law and order in India. You are required to put up a number plate that has your vehicle number clear and easily visible from a distance. According to Indian law, dishonest people involved in criminal acts might opt for a fancy number plate to hide their identity. So, even if you are innocent and just wanted to look cool with a fancy number plate, you might get into serious legal problems if you are caught on the road.

Under Sections 51 and 177 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, you are likely to be heavily penalised from  ₹2000-₹5000 if caught having a fancy number plate on your bike which does not adhere to the legal format. The legal format comprises the following:

• A hot stamped chromium-based Ashoka Chakra Symbol for government authentication.
• An international registration code for India (IND)
• A unique laser-etched serial number which might not be visible to the naked eye.
• Two letters, in the beginning, denote the state of registration, the following two numbers are for the district code, followed by a 6-digit alphanumeric code for a unique ID.

Endnotes

A private vehicle should have a white background with the number plate etched with the black number, while commercial vehicles should have a yellow background. Following the strict number plate rules are essential in effective vehicle identification while investigating criminal acts or accident cases. As a responsible Indian citizen, it is important that you abide by the vehicle rules to ensure easy management of traffic administration.

Also read - Things to Consider When Purchasing A Used Bike from Another State