Road safety-related concerns were always a point to talk about in India. And two-wheelers come down to one of those unsafe means of transportation. To address these concerns, the government of India has imposed compulsion on the pillion rider helmet. Meanwhile, to enhance security and prevent fraud, the Indian government has made High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) mandatory for all vehicles.
What is HSRP?
High Security Registration Plate also known as HSRP is a certain type of registration plate where it differentiates from the normal registration plate in terms of fitting, design, and details included in it.
MoRTH has mandated this for vehicles registered before 2019, setting the deadline for 31 March 2025. To mainstream it, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has declared challans ranging from ₹5000 to ₹10,000 for the same. You can order HSRP online from the official MoRTH site or visit the nearest RTO to get it immediately.
Overall charges to Install:
Two-wheelers: ₹1,230–₹1,640
Cars: ₹1,975–₹2,050
HMV/Bus/LGV: ₹1,345–₹1,975
*GST and other charges excluded.
This plate fits with a special Snap-On lock which requires a special tool to snap it on. This not only enhances safety, as no other tool can remove it, but also reduces the chance of vehicle theft.
Regarding the design, authorities prohibit fancy-looking characters on HSRP registration plates, enforcing fines for violations. It includes a hot-stamped chromium-based Ashoka Chakra symbol and an international registration code (“IND”) for India.
The plate also features a unique laser-etched serial number for added security. The embossed alphanumeric registration code denotes the state and the specific RTO or SRTO where the vehicle is registered. The plate’s borders feature rounded edges to prevent severe injuries, unlike sharp squared edges.
The Need For HSRP
With the increasing cases of vehicle theft in India. The government of India found it necessary to mandate the use of HSRP. As mentioned above it is locked with a snap lock that makes it impossible to be changed or removed.
It also standardizes vehicle number plates across all states, reducing the use of non-standard fonts and designs that are easily altered or misused. Authorities have linked the plates with the national vehicle database, VAHAN, enabling seamless digital tracking. Moreover, the aluminum with reflective sheeting helps in enhancing visibility at night.
The Need For Helmet Compulsion
There surely is a need for this rule, under section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, both the rider and the pillion passenger must wear BIS-certified helmets. This BIS certification acts as an approval of helmet safety. The objective is to enhance road safety by minimizing the severity of injuries and promoting responsible riding habits.
The enforcement of this rule has led to increased compliance, with strict penalties ranging from ₹500 to ₹1,000. Few states are also imposing a three-month license suspension for repeated violations. This will make sure that the rules are followed correctly and there is streamlining of certain rules leading to increasing in overall road safety.
What Could Be People’s Perspective?
The decision comes with the development in betterment of people’s safety. Theft vehicles are often used for illegal activities putting the original owner of the vehicle at risk. With this implementation the risk of theft or any illegal activities should come down.
The use of High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) will significantly enhance vehicle security, road safety, and law enforcement efficiency. Designed with tamper-proof features such as a unique laser-etched serial number, a hologram, and a snap-lock mechanism, HSRPs help prevent vehicle identity fraud and theft.
Integrating HSRPs with automated enforcement systems, such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), aids in detecting violations, ensuring compliance with traffic laws, and facilitating better traffic management.
The MoRTH aims to achieve higher number of people opting for the HSRP, thanks to the features covered by the number plate. While penalties ensure enforcement, long-term adherence to the rule requires awareness campaigns and a change in public mindset to priorities safety.
Pillion rider safety is a questionable factor in India, with the high imposition of challans, MoRTH has somehow managed to streamline the helmet for rider’s helmet. Now it looks like the government is putting lights on the pillion rider’s safety as well.
In 2023, the traffic police issued 9.42 lakh challans against motorcyclists for riding without helmets. The fine amount levied was ₹46.99 crore. Between January and November 2024, the traffic police issued 8.27 lakh challans for the same offence. The fine amounts levied were ₹60.93 crore.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both of these compulsion play a crucial role in developing road safety. With the implementation of helmets for pillion riders, one can expect a percentage of severe injuries and unfortunate deaths due to the lack of use of a helmet to drop. HSRP number plate shall result in lower theft cases with its unique features. However, the charges for the same are certainly high which leads to the question— Is there a need to spend more than ₹1200 just for a registration plate?
