New License Plate System Introduced in KwaZulu-Natal: A Step Towards National Uniformity
Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal - In a bid to update and streamline their vehicle license plate system, KwaZulu-Natal province has unveiled a new numbering format. Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube recently launched the program, marking an important milestone in the province's efforts to align with the rest of the country's license numbering system.
Previously, KwaZulu-Natal, alongside the Western Cape, was one of the only provinces in South Africa with its own unique numbering system. However, the outdated system found itself unable to keep up with the high demand of registering over 500,000 cars annually, leading some towns to replace their license plates.
Under the new format, the Department of Transport will produce over 15 million license numbers over the next 70 years. The implementation will be done in phases, allowing motorists a two-year window to transition to the new system.
Starting from December 1, 2023, new vehicles, change of ownerships, and government vehicles will be registered under the new standard. The second phase, which will begin in March next year, will see all vehicle owners voluntarily migrating to the new system.
Premier Dube-Ncube emphasized the need for compliance with national laws, stating, "We have run out of numbers in KwaZulu-Natal. We have been the only province, alongside the Western Cape, at some stage that had not complied with the national laws that regulate that holders of number plates that are registered must be identified as to where those cars are registered for, also have a unique registration figure and a unique security feature that determines who does that car belongs to."
However, the transition does come at a cost for motorists, who will have to bear the financial burden of migrating to the new system. KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka assured vehicle owners that they will be given ample time to make the necessary changes, saying, "Those who might think that they don't want to change now because they have renewed their license, now we are still giving them 21 months to change. That means they can change after a year, which will give them an opportunity to fundraise whatever monies that may be needed to change to a new system."
The introduction of the new license plate system has elicited mixed reactions from motorists in the province. Nonetheless, any new registrations in KwaZulu-Natal, including personalized plates, will now display the letters ZN, aligning with the national format and ensuring uniformity across the country. With this significant step forward, KwaZulu-Natal aims to modernize its vehicle licensing system and promote efficiency within its transportation sector.
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