The Central Government has made HSRP mandatory for all vehicles registered after 2019, citing security concerns. The State Government has also implemented this order, and new vehicles have been affixed with HSRP at showrooms since 2019. However, owners of vehicles purchased before 2019 are facing difficulties in obtaining HSRP, especially if their vehicle’s manufacturing company has closed down.
Pradeep Nair, owner of a vintage car, said, “The government’s move to make High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) mandatory aims to improve vehicle security and prevent the counterfeiting of number plates. However, the closure of several vehicle manufacturing companies has created a challenge for owners of older vehicles, who are now struggling to obtain the required HSRP. To address this issue, the government has provided an online portal where owners of older vehicles can apply for HSRP and pay the required fee. The portal allows owners to select their vehicle’s company and apply for HSRP, but it does not include the names of all the closed companies, causing confusion among vehicle owners.”
Sources said that the government has authorised certain agencies to manufacture and supply HSRP, but these agencies are not producing HSRP for vehicles from closed companies. This has left owners of such vehicles in a difficult situation, as they are required to affix HSRP within the specified deadline to avoid penalties. The challenges faced by owners of older vehicles in obtaining HSRP due to the closure of vehicle manufacturing companies and the lack of clarity in the government’s guidelines have been raised multiple times.
When contacted, Additional Commissioner of the Transport Department (Enforcement) C. Mallikarjun said, “This issue continues to cause significant inconvenience, highlighting the need for clear and inclusive guidelines to assist vehicle owners in complying with the new regulations.”
So far, out of the over 2 crore vehicles in the state, only 36 lakh vehicles have complied. Guidelines from the Transport Department state that certain transactions at RTOs, such as change of ownership, address modification, duplicate RC issuance, insurance updates, fitness approvals, etc., cannot proceed without HSRP affixation in the state. The department warns against counterfeit HSRP plates lacking unique laser codes and security features like high visibility in low light.
HSRP serves as a security measure with embossed unique numbers, holograms, and other elements to enhance vehicle identification and security. It became mandatory for all new vehicle registrations from April 1, 2019, to deter theft and misuse.
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