Sindh enforces CNIC-based number plates, owners can retain registration marks

Sindh’s Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department on Monday enforced the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2024, introducing CNIC-linked vehicle number plates across the province. Under the new system, vehicle owners will retain ownership of their registration marks linked to their CNIC, allowing them to transfer their number plate to another vehicle after selling the original one.

The amendment abolishes the categories of commercial and private vehicles and introduces two new classifications: motorcycles and rickshaws, and all types of four-wheel vehicles. No additional fee will be charged for obtaining a CNIC-based number plate, while the fee for Ajrak-themed plates will be treated as a transfer fee.

The Act defines a registration mark as a personalised registration mark, number plate, or any other identifying document assigned to a vehicle owner containing alphanumeric characters allotted by the registering authority. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) will be based on the chassis number of each vehicle.

Under the substituted provisions of Rule 32, registration marks will be allotted during registration and retained by the owner upon the sale of the vehicle. Separate personalised marks will be issued for multiple vehicles owned by the same individual. Owners may retain deactivated marks for up to one year. Existing number plates issued before the amendment will be considered personalised registration marks in the name of the current owner. Number plates may be retained or changed with the mutual consent of buyer and seller. CNIC records will be updated in real time, and no fee will be charged for transferring number plates. Existing fee schedules for vehicle ownership transfers will apply where relevant.

The Sindh cabinet approved the CNIC-based registration system and personalised registration marks last year, under which number plates remain with the owner even after the vehicle is sold.