The National Traffic Police detained a man on the N1 for driving a vehicle with no registration plates.
Authorities discovered that the driver submitted an affidavit to the police claiming that the plates were stolen. However, the officers found the registration plates hidden in the vehicle’s spare wheel compartment.
They then placed the suspect in custody while they continue their investigation.
The incident has renewed attention on what South African law requires when it comes to displaying registration plates.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS ABOUT REGISTRATION PLATES IN SOUTH AFRICA
The National Road Traffic Act requires all vehicles to display registration plates at the front and rear.
The Act states that plates must comply with SABS 1116 specifications. Each number plate must remain clearly visible, legible, and securely fixed to the vehicle.
The law allows plates to sit upright or within 30 degrees of that position.
Motorists must affix plates using four-millimetre rivets or approved screws. Authorities prohibit loose, removable, obscured, or altered number plates.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF REGISTRATION PLATES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Only registered manufacturers and embossers are allowed to produce or sell number plates in South Africa.
Number plates must display an SABS certification mark, embosser details, and a tamper-proof label.
The law bans advertising, decorative designs, or non-standard fonts on number plates.
Moreover, vehicles must display identical plates at the front and rear.
Drivers may not operate vehicles with plates hidden, removed, or carried inside the car.
Additionally, the possession of plates not linked to your vehicle may also raise criminal intent concerns.
CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORING THE NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACT
Traffic officers may fine, detain, or arrest motorists who fail to comply. False affidavits relating to missing plates can worsen legal consequences.
Authorities often link missing or cloned plates to criminal activity, including vehicle-related crimes.
For that reason, enforcement remains strict, especially on national routes.
