High Security Registration Plates
History of High Security Registration Plate Project
A new era in the implementation of HSRP in the country began on December 6, 2018, when the notification made it the responsibility of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (Automobile manufacturers) to supply the vehicles to their owners fitted with High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP). All vehicles manufactured on or after April 01, 2019, are “New Vehicles” which are to be supplied with pre-fitted HSRP. With the help of HSRP vendors namely Shimnit India, the OEMs have been successfully implementing the HSRP project through their dealer network by affixing HSRP on to each new vehicle being sold.
We, at Shimnit, would like to credit the union ministry of Road Transport and Highways for its proactive efforts to improve and develop the registration system which includes the implementation of a nation-wide Vehicle database-VAHAN, effective implementation of the HSRP project, and the project’s comprehensive integration with Vahan among other features.
The State Transport Department still has the authority to decide the process of conversion of Old Vehicles (Vehicles manufactured before 01.04.2019) to HSRP.
Why High Security Registration Plates?
It started with the intention to standardize the display of registration numbers on a vehicle. The continual developments and innovation in the project have taken it to newer heights. The data integration with Vahan is the newest addition to the project’s progress. Vahan integration makes it practically impossible to get a vehicle’s RC issued without the verification of the included information like the Engine Number, Chassis Number and Registration Number combination. No more counterfeit papers. One registration Number shall be used by only one vehicle now, saving the exchequer a substantial amount of money. High Security Registration Plate also helps law enforcement agencies keep track of vehicles while providing added security to vehicle owners since it becomes incrementally easy to track a lost vehicle that has a High Security Registration Plate.
Sizes of the plates
Size Specification
285 x 45
Vehicle Use
Motorcycles
Size Specification
200 x 100
Vehicle Use
Motorcycles
Scooters
3 Wheelers
Size Specification
500 x 120
Vehicle Use
LMV
LCV
Size Specification
340 x 200
Vehicle Use
HMV
Security Features of HSRP
As per laws in force, the license plates shall be a solid unit made of 1.0 mm aluminum conforming to AIS 159 norms. Border edges and corners of the plate shall be rounded to avoid injuries to the extent of approximately 10 mm and the plates must have an embossed border. The plate shall be suitable for hot stamping and the reflective sheet has to be guaranteed for imperishable nature for a minimum of five years.
Reflective Features
HSRP license plates provide a high degree of light reflectivity, which helps in a safe driving experience. The high-quality retroreflective sheeting that is laminated and embossed in HSRP provides excellent clarity during day time and offers high reflectivity at night. It has been proven that the application and usage of Retro-Reflective sheeting on vehicle license plates reduce accidents and loss of life significantly across the globe based on the data available over the last 40 years.
This feature is particularly essential in India, given the fact that lack of visibility is one of the highest causes of fatal accidents.
Chromium based hologram
Holograms are one of the most commonly used security features that we see in our daily life. Hot-stamping of chromium-based hologram makes it possible for a license plate to withstand the vagaries of weather for a long time. The holograms carry the image of ‘CHAKRA’ as notified by the Government of India.
Since the holograms are stamped at a very temperature of 220° Celsius, tampering, removal, or replacement of the hologram is not possible. Holograms on number plates are easily visible with naked eyes so that they give a direct hint about possible fraud if they are missing or destroyed/ tampered with. Holograms are also duplication-proof, which makes it impossible to replicate them.
Security Inscript
The security inscription shall incorporate the following features:
The type of colour or ink which is used for the inscription is based on a Pearl Pigment Colour.
Verification of the use of this kind of colour can be made as follows:
By changing the visual direction between the license plate and the viewer (under day light) change in intensity of the colour can be seen. This change is also related to the intensity of the external illumination of the license plate. This property shall avoid copying such kind of product by using a simple print.
Snap Lock
The snap lock is the external fastening device used as normal bolting procedure for the License Plate to the vehicle body. This device prevents removal and reusability of the License Plate from the vehicle. Also any tampering with the snap lock is easily detectable by naked eye, making it easy for the law enforcing agencies to detect any abnormality in the License Plate. This snap lock system is used in many countries worldwide including Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia etc.
Third License Plate sticker on the windscreen
A self-destructive self-adhesive sticker is also pasted on the windscreens of the vehicles which contain all information pertaining to the vehicles’ registration. Details including the laser numbers on the front and rear plates of the vehicle, the registration date, the RTO where it was registered and of course the Registration Number can be retrieved from this sticker. The sticker acts as an added security feature of HSRP license plates.
Laser-etched 12-digit alphanumeric code
A laser-etched alphanumeric code is inscribed below the ‘IND’ on the license plates. This is a unique identification mark for all license plates across the country and no two codes are the same. Using a laser to engrave the code makes it impossible to be erased. The complete details of the vehicle can be easily obtained from the records of the HSRP supplier/RTO with this laser code.