South Africa is slated to receive new number plates by 2017, which would feature a new design which would be renewable every five years.
South Africa is officially set to receive new number plates in 2017, which would feature a number of technological improvements and the added drawback of a renewal fee every five years.
The new number plates sport a number of differences from the incumbent version South African motorists presently make use of. At face value, all plates will now feature the national flag, and will further incorporate the province of registration – for example, GAUTENG for the province of Gauteng – in addition to a sequential number on the left of the plate, and an SABS certification mark.
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Interestingly, the new number plates will make use of a four dimensional barcode with a QR code which contains the registration number of the manufacturer of blank plates. General consumers, however, will most likely not be able to make use of the QR code without specialised equipment, leaving them readably only to the companies who generate them.
The new plates won’t melt as easily in the event of a fire or accident, and will make use of retro-reflective sheeting to ensure greater visibility. Further, the new plates rectify the advent of unique number plates throughout different provinces; the plates will make use of one design as South Africa is a nation and not – like the United States, for instance – a federation of states.
What number plates nationwide are going to look like from next year… Renewable every 5 years… pic.twitter.com/JjYCT3Njie
“” Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) August 2, 2016
However, key issues remain unclarified; it has not yet been disclosed as to whether licensing authorities will be able to charge an additional fee for renewal, while a set of new plates will cost around R250 ZAR.
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Regulations surrounding the new number plates are yet to be revealed.
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Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
