[imagesource:worldlicenseplates.com]

What sounds like a James Bond movie is becoming a reality as Gauteng pilots a cutting-edge system to combat tampering and fraud with new high-tech number plates that come with self-destructing security features.

The ambitious project was first teased during Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) last year, where he outlined plans to overhaul the region’s number plate system. Now, the initiative is kicking off, with the new plates already gazetted for use on vehicles owned by the Gauteng Provincial Administration (G-Fleet).

A key reason for the change is that Gauteng’s number plates are easy to clone and that criminals can use fake plates.

But the need for this tech-savvy upgrade isn’t just about security. Gauteng has officially run out of new letter and number combinations, forcing a shift to this innovative solution.

The Citizen reports that the new number plate system is intended to clamp down on various criminal activities, according to the premier, who explained that the new plates would be “very difficult to copy and would be tamper-proof”.

Initially slated for an April 2024 rollout, Gauteng’s high-tech number plates have hit the brakes, with the new launch date now set for late 2025. The Gauteng Department of Transport (GDoT) confirmed the delay, leaving motorists waiting a little longer for this bold innovation.

Despite the hold-up, there’s no immediate rush to replace the current system. The GDoT reassured TopAuto that the existing number plate series (AA 11 AA GP) has enough combinations to last until around 2038. For now, Gauteng drivers will have to keep their eyes on the road and their ears open for updates on this futuristic project.

According to BusinessTech, the new plates are going to look incredibly similar to the Red Government Vehicle National Number plate seen below:

Image: Government Gazette

The new aluminium number plates come with some unique features to step up security and standardisation. They’ll need a South Bureau of Standards (SABS) certification mark on the bottom right, just below Gauteng’s provincial licence mark.

In the top left corner, the South African flag will make an appearance, while a small 1cm by 1cm barcode security feature will sit just under the “ZA” country sign.

But the real game-changer? A special decal below the barcode that self-destructs if anyone tries to tamper with it. This decal will include a mix of nine numbers and letters to identify the vehicle, along with figures showing the number plate’s expiry year.

This smart and secure move could rewrite the future of motoring in the province.

[source:businesstech&thecitizen]