New Gauteng numberplates warning

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has announced that it has developed a prototype number plate recognition system for the province’s new licence plates and will soon start piloting it with government vehicles.

Gauteng MEC for roads and transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the new number plates will roll out publicly within the next six months. However, motorists may have to re-register and pay for the new ones.

“We are pleased to announce that a prototype number plate recognition system has been successfully completed and is now ready for pilot through our fleet management entity: g-Fleet Management,” said Diale-Tlabela.

For the project to launch publicly, the provincial roads and transport department must create a portal incorporating g-Fleet vehicle data, link to the National Traffic Information System (Natis), and perform system testing, among other things.

Assuming the trial is successful, the Gauteng transport department will expand the system to the rest of the province.

In February 2024, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi explained that all Gauteng motorists would need to re-register and get a new registration number with the new system.

He initially wanted to launch the new number plates, which will be “tamper-proof” and feature a QR code as an additional security measure, on 1 April 2024.

However, he later announced that they would roll out to official government vehicles from that date to allow for a trial period.

Following his announcement that motorists would have to re-register and pay to do so, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) warned the province’s transport department not to make its planned new vehicle number plates more expensive or difficult to register.

It said doing so would result in significant revenue losses from fleet operators.

For reference, motorists currently pay R204 to register for a number plate in the province. With more than 4.6 million motorists in Gauteng, the local government stands to pocket more than R938 million.

It remains to be seen whether the registration fee for the new number plates will be any higher than it is currently.

Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage believes the plan could backfire on the provincial government.

“It would appear that the new vehicle license plate scheme is set to force new controls that will come at a price,” Duvenage said.

“This may backfire on the province, as it could cause big fleet operations to license their vehicles at offices registered in other provinces of the country.”

“If it is more costly and does not necessarily improve security and policing, then it will be a waste of time,” he added.

He said the fact that it had missed the initial deadline was indicative that the new system was flawed.

“Why launch only with government vehicles when the system is supposed to be ready for all cars?” Duvenage asked.

Lesufi first announced the plan to launch new licence plates during his 2023 State of the Province address. He said the project would improve safety and security in Gauteng as cars are frequently used in violent crimes.

“The registration of cars because cars are a common denominator in violent crimes. Either as stolen cars or getaway vehicles,” he said.

“Those who are using wrong or duplicate number plates will have no time to drive through our roads.”

The plan took a major step forward in February 2023 when Diale-Tlabela outlined the province’s intentions to publish draft regulations for the new system via government gazette.

She then launched the registration process for manufacturers in July 2023. Diale-Tlabela emphasised the importance of correctly registering manufacturers within the bounds of the law.

“Over the years, we have witnessed numerous challenges arising from non-compliant number plates, such as compromised safety, an increase in vehicle-related crime, and a lack of accountability from manufacturers,” she said.