Maharashtra enforces high-security plates for pre-2019 vehicles

Maharashtra has announced that all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, will be required to have HSRP (high-security number plates) before March 31, 2025. This directive could affect more than twenty million vehicles in the state.

High security registration plate (HSRP) installation process
The State Transport Department said vehicle owners will have to bear the cost of replacing their old number plates with the new tamper-proof HSRP units. Owners who fail to do so within the deadline will face penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act. The Motor Vehicle Department will also deny services such as vehicle transfer and address change if it does not have an HSRP plate.

Vehicle owners can get the new HSRP at their respective RTO offices at official rates that are set at Rs 745 for passenger vehicles, Rs 500 for three-wheelers and Rs 450 for two-wheelers and tractors. The state department has assigned three agencies to provide HSRP based on RTO location.

In order to get their plates changed, vehicle owners will have to book their installation appointments online through portals managed by government-appointed agencies. Walk-ins are not allowed. The installation appointments can be rescheduled within 90 days after the first date of the appointment. The agency will verify vehicle details on the official VAHAN portal before installing these plates.

Benefits of HSRP 
According to the government, usage of HSRPs will help improve the security of the vehicles, especially when it comes to tracking stolen vehicles. 

A chromium-based hologram is hot-stamped on the top-left corner of both front and rear HSRPs to discourage counterfeiting. This stamp contains the Ashoka Chakra in blue. The 10-digit permanent identification number (PIN) is laser-branded into the bottom-left corner of the HSRPs, and the hot-stamping film to be applied on the letters and numerals of the registration number has ‘India’ inscribed on it. These HSRPs are fastened with “at least two” non-removable/non-reusable snap locks.