Thousands of motorists queued up at Road Transport Department (RTD) offices yesterday to get their hands on their favourite personalised registration numbers with the WWW prefix.
Road Transport Department director Mohd Nadzri Osman said the department opened up additional counters to accommodate the last-minute bidders.
“We do not want the public to be disappointed,” he said, adding that the results of the bids would be displayed at the RTD headquarters notice board on May 24.
At press time, the number of bids received at each RTD branch was still not available.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha is expected to announce the number of bids at a press conference.
A marketing executive, Tan Sie Yie, 40, of Klang, took the day off to try to get three registration numbers. He would not reveal the numbers, but said one of the bids was RM3,000.
A 54-year-old businessman from Bukit Jalil was confident of winning the bid for the WWW 4 plate.
“The number four is my lucky number and I am sure I will get it as not many will go for the number ‘four’, especially the Chinese, as it is not an auspicious number for them,” said the man, who did not want to be named.
Norraini Nordin, 37, who owns an IT company, turned up at 8am to bid for a number. “I think I should not miss the chance to get it since I run an IT (information technology) business and WWW means World Wide Web.”
The plates will be tamper-proof, secured by a snap lock, virtually impossible to duplicate by roadside vendors, with a unique identity number printed by a laser technique. They promise to provide vehicle-owners with security against theft or misuse by terrorists.
All this translates into an attractive business, with competition between half a dozen active players getting fierce. Players such as Rosmerta, Real Mazon, Celex, Schimnit and Promukh Hoffman, run by small businessmen, are gearing up for a kill.Huge potentialA 100 million vehicles run on Indian roads and need to be fitted with new number plates, translating into a Rs 1,500 crore business in the next two years. With 18-20 million new vehicles being registered every year across the country, the annual business potential is Rs 300 crore. U R Kapoor, deputy director (operations) in Rosmerta Technologies, which is implementing the registration plate’s project in five states including Delhi is upbeat about the potential in number plates.“We are targeting at least 30 per cent market share of the Indian business. With a margin of Rs 5 per plate it could be an interesting business. Also the numbers of players bidding have also reduced now,” said Kapoor.The fierce competition between the players has affected price. The price that consumers have to pay for the plates has dropped like ninepins from as high as Rs 1,800 just two years ago to below Rs 150.Sandeep Aggarwal managing director of Celex Technologies which has won the contract for giving the registration plates in West Bengal, feels margins in the business are low. “The margin in the business has become low. And competition is fierce. As a result some players are working on negative margins”, said Aggarwal.The attempt to modernise number plates started in 2001 when the central government came out with a notification that all vehicles have to shift to the new security registration plates in a year. The implementation got delayed due to a plethora of court cases. The Supreme Court resolved the various contentious issues and is monitoring its implementation across the country.
Not even a high fees has deterred vehicle owners in the city from applying for personalised registration number plates, as evident by the number of applications in this regard.
Two years ago, the rate of private numbers was increased manifold, but their demand has remained intact. An official working with Regional Transport Office (RTO), Bangalore, said the demand for personalised number plates had decreased only for a short while after the rates were increased. The official said now they were flooded with applications for these numbers, notwithstanding the high cost.
The transport commissioner’s office is receiving a big rush of applications from general public seeking fancy numbers of their choice for their vehicles. There is more demand for single digit number from 1 to 9 and repetitive numbers like 1111, 2222, 3434, 6767 and so on.
When the rate of fancy numbers was revised two years ago, the transport department was earning Rs10 crore by selling them. It was estimated that once the revised cost came into effect, the department would earn about Rs30 crore by selling fancy numbers.
A new call from Irelands Motor Chiefs to put a ban on personalised number plates that carry 13.
Irish number plates carry the year of the car’s registration as well as the country in which it was registered.
Keen to head off a dip in sales next year, 2013, the industry wants to replace the “13″ on the plate.
Fear of the number 13 is called Triskaidekaphobia. On some housing estates, there is no number 13 and high-storey buildings sometimes go from a 12th to a 14th floor, skipping out the 13th.
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) points to estimates that 7% to 8% of the population dislike the unlucky number.
A press officer for SIMI said this might sound small but it meant a lot to the Irish car industry.
“Even if it is a small percentage, that means another 5,000 people who may not purchase next year and this will have a significant impact,” she said.
“In a normal year, new car sales would be about 130,000, but that figure has fallen to 76,000. New car sales have a direct impact on jobs.”
If people decide not to buy a new car, then the industry which is already under pressure in the Irish recession, could suffer even more.
SIMI is keen to stop a dip in car sales in Ireland. They said 80% of new cars were sold in the first half of the year, with a spike in January and then a slow decline.
The group wants the Irish government to introduce a second registration plate mid-year on 1 July. They said this would create a second sales peak and would maintain and stabilise jobs.
In what may spell more trouble for the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), the implementing agency for the multi-crore High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) project, one of the four bidders for the previous tender, Celex Technologies Private Limited, has filed a writ petition in the AP High Court challenging the calling of fresh tenders for the project. The writ petition is scheduled to come up for hearing on May 2, 2012.
Celex Technologies filed a writ petition (No. 13288 of 2012) on Monday requesting the High Court to declare the request for fresh tenders issued on April 25 as arbitrary. The petitioner said that with two companies disqualified on grounds of suspected irregularities, and the third company having submitted self-certified documents during the previous tender process, Celex Technologies remains the only qualified bidder and that the corporation should go ahead with the process.
Celex’s petition said that APSRTC, without even analysing the financial bid of Celex, on the simple ground that it was directed by the government of Andhra Pradesh to do so, cancelled the tender notification. “Though the petitioner was the sole successful bidder, no notice was given to him prior to cancellation of the said process. It normally would have ended with the awarding of the said tender in favour of the petitioner,” read the petition.
The next personalised number plate auction to be held will have a special selection of 2012 olympic themed number plates to celebrate the games coming to London this year.
Some examples include:
EN61 AND – For ENGLAND
BU11 DOG – For BULLDOG
WON 601D – For WON GOLD
There are many other number plate lots coming up in this auction with reserves set from just £400.
As usual the regplates.com team will be on hand to offer advice to buyers and help you secure your ideal personalised number plate to celebrate the olympics or any occasion!
Call us now on 01482 627 628 to find out more or visit our auctions section for a full listing of number plates offered in this auction.
When looking for the right car insurance policy, you’re likely to wonder what that policy covers. It may surprise you, but number plates are something which is seen as quite valuable. If you own a personalised number plate, it may have cost you hundreds or perhaps thousands. Even if you don’t own a personalised one, it can be worth a lot as the number can be used for criminal purposes. Consulting a price comparison website such as Money supermarket will give you a fair idea of what insurers cover.
An important part of any vehicle, a number plate is covered by some insurers, and getting a replacement in the event of theft will minimise the risk of fraud arising from it being stolen. Aside from number plates, what other often forgotten but still important parts of your car are covered by insurance policies?
Some car insurance policies cover items inside your car. Most people’s car interiors contain valuable items which can be stolen or damaged after electrical failure. Chief among them are car stereos: they can cost as much as £300 brand new, and are seen by thieves as being of great value. Most insurance policies cover stereo theft.
Any valuable items kept in the boot such as golf clubs, gifts for a special ceremony or any clothes kept in case of an emergency during the winter are usually covered. As for the exterior, any damage to windows, wing mirrors, the alarm system, wheels or even the paintwork is covered if you have proof that they were damaged by criminality or accident by another party.
So you have purchased your dream personalised number plate (from Regplates.com of course!) and you have your new plates sitting looking at you and ready to fit. But how do you get them on without damaging them or your prized vehicle? Simple, follow our step by step guide and you will have them on in no time.
Private number pate acrylic plates are simple to fit on one of two ways.
1. Drill and Use self tapping screws.
2. Use adhesive pads.
We will look at the first method to start with, this is the most commonly used method of fitting number plates however you will need some tools to get the job done. You will need a drill and a sharp drill bit, a screwdriver and some self tapping screws and covers. You can of course use the screws that held your old number plates on but chances are that these are rusty and will spoil the look of your new plates.
Firstly, remove the covers and screws from your existing number plates and put them to one side as we will use these as a template.
Secondly, take your new number plate and place it face down on a flat surface (a piece of wood is perfect).
Then take the old plate and place it face down on top of your new number plate.
Carefully drill through the new plate from the rear using the hole in the old plate as a guide. Drill the second hols and then repeat for the other plate.
A full video showing this method is available by clicking below.
Method 2 uses self adhesive double sided pads to stick the number plates onto your vehicle. This has a couple of advantages in that you do not need to drill holes in your new plates which prolongs their life and makes yours easier, and it leaves the number plates looking smooth without nasty holes.
The method is simple, as above remove the old caps and screws with a screwdriver and keep the old plates to one side.
Secondly you will need to clean the area directly underneath where the old plates sat. A damp cloth usually does the trick for this.
Next give the reverse of the new plates a clean with a dry cloth to remove any dirt or grease.
Now apply your pads starting 1″ from each end and then use your remaining pads spaced equally in between.
Lastly line up the plate about 5cm away from the vehicle to make sure is is horizontal and press firmly into place. Hold for a few seconds to make sure the pads have made good contact.
The pads will securely hold your number plates on without any visible signs of screws or nuts.
Regplates.com have recently added to their personalised number plates stock with another superb addittion.
The private number plates ROX 6N are now available for immediate purchase through our trained team.
Regplates personalised number plates team are on hand every day from 9am to 6pm by email through the website or by telephoning 01482 627 628.
The ROX 6N number plate is available to purchase now and can be transferred through our local DVLA office using a fast transfer and can be on your vehicle within 48 hours!
Priced at £2995 it represents great value and surely a sound investment.
The Senate has invited the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru; and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka, to a public hearing on how to resolve the controversy surrounding the new driver’s licence and personalised number plates scheme.
Other stakeholders invited to the public hearing are the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Luxurious Bus Owners Associa-tion of Nigeria (LUBAN), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Amalga-mated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Directors of Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIO) in the 36 States and the FCT, security agencies, and civil society groups. The public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs is scheduled to hold tomorrow.
Announcing this in Abuja, at the weekend, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, dismissed insinuations that the proposed public hearing is a witch-hunt.
Kuta said: “The public hearing on the new scheme is to get first-hand information from the public and stakeholders in the sector after which the National Assembly will now chart a way forward. Whoever is talking about a witch-hunt on this matter is, to me, simply uninformed.”
Kuta further explained that the extant FRSC “empowers the FRSC to primarily, prevent and minimise accidents on the highways and clear obstructions on any part of the highways and educate drivers, motorists and other members of the public generally on the proper use of highways.”
He said: “The Commission was not established principally as a revenue-generating agency for the states and Federal Government. In recent times, the FRSC embarked on frequent and arbitrary introduction and re-introduction of vehicles number plates and drivers’ licences and the Commission will ultimately be generating a whooping N2 billion annually as its own share of the new scheme.”
The Senate and the House of Representatives had earlier directed the FRSC to stop the scheme until a resolution is reached on the matter.
Last month, the Senate directed the Kuta-led committee to interface with the public on the new vehicle number plate and drivers’ licence scheme over complaints that the FRSC stepped outside its mandate of protecting lives on Nigerian roads and is being motivated primarily by profit.
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