The department said in the new system, the number plates will not depict the towns and demarcation, but will instead have a continuous numbering system, and all registration numbers issued in the province will be depicted as “ZN”.
The department said the changes to the new license numbering system are prompted by the fact that some of the towns have run out of numbers.
“The operationalisation and commencement of the new numbering system also follows a number of consultations with various stakeholders, including the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), and manufacturers of blank number plates.
The security features will also assist in the fight against crime.
“The department has tested the ENaTIS (Electronic National Administration Traffic Information System) system and can confirm that the system is now able to activate the new numbering system, supported by RTMC,” the department said.
As part of the process, the department said the final gazette is expected to be published on 30 November 2023.
The gazette has incorporated inputs and views from various stakeholders and the public since the issuing of the first gazette early in November 2023.
The provincial Motor Licensing Bureaus (MLBs) and Road Traffic Information (RTI) will from Tuesday, attend a workshop on changes brought about by the system and its requirements.
The department said registering authorities in the province will also be provided with ongoing support to ensure that the implementation is with limited challenges if any at all.
“The first phase of the new numbering will cater for the registration of new motor vehicles, re-registration of vehicles to new owners, stolen vehicles that are recovered and re-licenced onto the owner’s name and government vehicles. The first phase will commence from 1 December 2023 to 28 February 2024.
“The second phase will commence on 1 March 2024 catering for all vehicle owners to migrate from the current system to a new system. Throughout the 24-month implementation period, motorists will be given 21 months, starting from 1 March 2024, to voluntary migrate to the new system, after which it will be mandatory,” the department explained.
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