Rise in cases of duplicate number plates on vehicles

Former Managing Director of Public Service Media (PSM) Zeena Zahir says she was shocked after being informed that her motorcycle had been towed for a violation—while she was on the vehicle at the time.

Zeena, who noted that she has never had a vehicle towed in her six years of driving, described the call as both surprising and concerning.

When the Police looked into it, it appeared that the motorcycle that was towed had the same plate number as hers.

This has become a common issue as of late in Male'.

As per Zeena's Facebook post, the motorcycle with her plate number that had been towed was the same brand and color as her own.

Zeena said that it is like that the motorcycle was  stolen and sold to a foreigner after a fake plate number plate had been installed.

"I would like to know how many motorcycles are being driven in my name," she said in her post.

The issue of cars being driven with fake plate numbers has always been prevalent. However, as it is quite easy to register motorcycles, this issue is not as common for motorcycles.

Head of Traffic Police and Road Management Chief Inspector of Police Ibrahim Imran told Mihaaru News that the issue of fake number plates being used by motorcycles and cars comes to light once in a while.

Imran said that fake plate numbers are usually attached to stolen vehicles.

With this issue being more prevalent in cars than in motorcycles, the Police have been informed about a car having the same plate number as another one in the past.

"The problem of two cars having one plate number has been occurring. It happens more to cars than to motorcycles. It only happens once in a while in the case of motorcycles," said Imran.

It is assumed that there is a higher number of fake plates being used on cars due to difficulties in registration via the Ministry of Transport. Cars cannot be registered unless there is a garage for it to be put into. These cars are driven in such a manner due to the acquisition of a garage letter being costly and the difficulties that come with it.

Under the regulation that governs the registration of land vehicles, if a car is being registered, it needs to have a garage it can be parked in. Some people spend around one hundred thousand Rufiyaa in order to get the garage letter.

Unless Police stop a vehicle for whatever reason, the plate issue doesn't come to light.

As per Imran, there is no way for the Police to know unless someone reports it or unless the vehicle is towed. The only other way would be to stop every vehicle and check its engine chassis number.

Imran said that a complaint can be filed if a member of the public recognizes a fake plate. He also said that individuals found guilty of this issue have been penalized with the vehicles having been towed as well.

"The issue of vehicles being driven with stolen boards will be investigated."

Imran has also stated that information of the owner and motorcycle number can be found out through the vehicles engine number and chassis number. He went on to say that the individual that drove with the stolen plate number can be penalized, along with the actual owner as well.

There was a recent related case in Male' where the car of a youth was towed along with them receiving a fine of MVR 10,000.

The youth said that he had brought the car from Addu. He ended up using a friend's car plate number as a way of "convenience" due to zone change procedures taking too long.

While the youth was fined, the owner of the plate didn't want to pursue the case, so the charges were dropped.

"I proceeded to drive the car because I lost patience due to the zone changes not going through. The car is registered in Addu and I attempted to change its zone. If someone's plate is being used by another, ask them if they want to press charges. But I used a friend's plate and they didn't want to press charges so I was only fined and had my car towed," said the youth.

The registered owners of their numbers are only made aware of the stolen number plate when vehicles are stopped for being in violation of the law. There is no way to know how many motorcycles have stolen number plates.

Action can only be taken when the owners are called and told that someone else is using their plate number, just like in Zeena's situation. As per the Police, if an individual were to recognize and report a fake plate, the authorities will step in to investigate and take action.