Bahraini.TV

Every vehicle owner in Bahrain will have to fit new number plates within the next two years. They will be available from June 20 and are specially designed to prevent number plate theft and illegal modifications.

The new plates, which are also easier to read, will be fitted for free during the first year as the General Directorate of Traffic introduces them on a voluntary basis.

However, from June 20 next year everyone registering a car will have to pay a nominal fee to get the new number plates fitted.

“It will continue on a voluntary basis for a year as a way to raise awareness about the need to change from the current plates, which lack security basics, to the new protected ones we are planning to introduce,” said traffic director-general Lieutenant Colonel Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Sobah Al Khalifa yesterday.

“All car agencies have been informed about the new plates and they will have them on all new cars they sell from the day we officially introduce them on a voluntary basis.

“On June 20, 2011, we will start forcing them on all cars as their owners get their registration renewed.”

From June next year, private vehicle owners will be charged BD3.500 for each set of new plates, while a set of new number plates for public transport and official vehicles – such as diplomatic cars, police cars and ambulances – will cost BD5.

Lt Col Shaikh Abdulrahman said the new plates were being subsidised to make them as affordable as possible for the public.

“The leadership and Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa have ordered us to have the plates introduced at the lowest rates possible to the public and that’s what we have done,” he added.

The new plates are being brought in to help combat vehicle crime and are described as non-removable, non-replicable and feature a hologram to prove their authenticity.

“The plates are fixed with special screws that tear if removed and any replica screw can be detected through special lasers used by traffic policemen during inspections,” said Lt Col Shaikh Abdulrahman.

“Authentic screws light up green, but replica screws do not light up at all.

“This will help us know if the plate has been stolen or changed from one car to another.

“The numbers are also designed in a way so they can’t be modified, such as changing the number three to eight, with the word “Bahrain” appearing several times in each number.”

The new number plates, which are said to be visible from 150 metres, are made from aluminium and come with a two-year non-breakable guarantee on the front plate and a three-year guarantee on the rear plate.

People will be able to get the new plates fitted at the General Directorate of Traffic, in Isa Town, from Sunday to Thursday, from 7am to 8pm, and 7am to 2pm on Saturdays.

The new number plates are part of a raft of measures designed to tackle car crime, which include the introduction of hi-tech registration badges that will allow police to monitor the movement of every vehicle.

There are also plans to introduce “smart licences” and vehicle ownership cards, also fitted with microchips and holograms to protect them against theft and duplication.

However, Lt Col Shaikh Abdulrahman said this was still in the planning stages and no date had yet been set for their introduction.

“The designs are yet to be finalised, but they will be out soon since the technology is already available,” he added.