Rs. 10 lakh collected as fines from vehicle owners using fancy number plates

Thiruvananthapuram: The Motor Vehicles Department collected more than Rs. 10 lakhs in fines from 3058 vehicles during State-wide checking of number plates of motor vehicles on Thursday.

Many vehicles were found to have displayed number plates that were not according to specifications.

The highest amounts of fines were imposed in Kollam and Alappuzha districts (total of Rs. 1.53 lakhs and Rs. 1.58 lakhs respectively). The largest numbers of vehicles were also booked in these districts.

Transport Commissioner Tomin J. Thachankari said in a press release that ‘Operation Number’ was organised in view of public complaints including those received through social media about people displaying numbers according to their fancies. The special drive was aimed at creating awareness among the vehicle owners.

He noted that failure to display number plates as specified in the law would attract a fine of Rs. 2000 in the case of two wheelers. For light motor vehicles and medium vehicles, the fine would be Rs. 3000 and Rs. 4000 respectively. Heavy vehicles would attract fine of Rs. 5000.

The number plates should carry no other inscriptions other than the number as per specifications.