CHENNAI: A two-wheeler can become a lorry... at the cost of a brand new licence plate bought off the street for less than Rs. 100, with the old registration number painted on it. In fact, the regional transport office (West) is now in the process of handing over to the police a case of a lorry with a two-wheeler registration plate.

Misuse of registration plates is rampant, according to Transport Department officials. It is either to evade the registration process or prevent detection of stolen vehicles being used for criminal purposes.

The State Government is now trying to prevent counterfeiting and duplication of registration plates by introducing `high security registration plates' before the end of this year. They will be manufactured, supplied and affixed on vehicles by an authorised vendor.

"The manufacturer will be selected soon. The plates will have to be fitted at places earmarked by the RTO," said a senior official. Existing vehicles will also carry the new plates after ensuring that the old ones have been surrendered and destroyed, added the official.

Bids invited

The Government has already invited bids for selecting manufacturers who would supply registration plates with a chromium-based hologram that has the Ashoka emblem hot stamped on them. All the letters and numerals, in sizes as specified in the Motor Vehicles (New High Security Registration Plates) Order (2001), would be embossed and hot stamped.

Third plate planne

The Government has also proposed to have a third registration plate in "the form of a self-destructive type chromium based hologram sticker" to be affixed on the windshield of the vehicle.

It will have the name of the registering authority, the registration number, laser branded permanent identification number and the engine and chassis numbers.

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