The Gauteng Department of Transport (GDoT) plans to launch the prototype for the province’s new number plates in October 2023 in an effort to combat the spread of fraudulent plates in the region.
This follows Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi highlighting the prevalence of falsified number plates in his State of the Province Address in February 2023, and announcing that new plates will be made that will feature tighter security measures that are more difficult to replicate.
According to the GDoT’s statistics, approximately 80% of criminal acts in the province involve the use of a vehicle which is more often than not affixed with falsified number plates.
What you need to know
Responding to questions from TopAuto, the GDoT said while the new Gauteng plates will incorporate enhanced security measures, they will retain the current alphanumeric format (AA 11 AA GP) until the total number of possible combinations is exhausted – which is only expected to happen around 2038.
The department did not reveal what the security enhancements will include, however, stating that it has “established a number plate technical reference group comprising key stakeholders involved in the number plate value chain, law enforcement agencies, and others.”
The technical reference group is advising the provincial government on which upgrades will be the most suitable to crack down on unlawful cloning, with the final details to be revealed when the prototype plate is launched next month, said the GDoT.
“Through the plan, the provincial government will be enabled to account for every vehicle registered in the province. This, it is expected, will bolster crime-fighting efforts, enhance tracking by law-enforcement agencies, and serve as a deterrent,” it said.
“It is also expected to drastically enhance revenue collection that was lost due to ineffective vehicle identification in traffic fine enforcement.”
Number plate manufacturers urged to participate
In July, Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, issued a gazette calling all existing manufacturers of number plates to submit applications for registration as per the requirements of the National Road Traffic Act.
“The registration process is a crucial component in the Gauteng Provincial Government’s plan to launch a secured new number system to combat crime, corruption, vandalism, and lawlessness in the province,” said the MEC.
The application window runs from 1 July to 30 September 2023, and the GDoT appeals to any potential suppliers who have not done so yet to put forward their applications before the deadline expires.
The registration of number plate manufacturers will serve to enable the department to regulate the value chain from manufacturers to end users (vehicle owners), said the GDoT, further bolstering crime-fighting practices.
Since July, the provincial government has also launched an introductory workshop aimed at providing opportunities for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) interested in registering as manufacturers of new vehicle number plates in the province, in order to familiarise them with the requirements and practices needed to participate.
“The department would like to thank the stakeholders who have been engaged and participated in the process since October last year. Their contributions have been invaluable and have enabled the process to reach this stage of near launch,” it concluded.
Keyword: Gauteng is getting new number plates – Dates and details