The Karnataka government has announced an extension for the installation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) for all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. The new deadline has been set for March 31, 2025, providing vehicle owners additional time to comply with this mandatory requirement.
The Transport Department of Karnataka issued a notification regarding the extension, citing the need to accommodate vehicle owners who have yet to install the tamper-proof, secure license plates. The HSRP is designed to prevent vehicle theft and improve road safety by featuring non-reusable locks and a unique 10-digit number linked to the vehicle's chassis and engine details, stored in a central database.
The decision to extend the deadline comes as a relief to many vehicle owners across the state, allowing them more time to secure the necessary plates. The HSRP installation has been made mandatory for vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, and the plates follow a uniform design and font, with a blue 'chakra' symbol on the left. The background colors vary based on vehicle type—white for private vehicles with black numbers and yellow for commercial vehicles.
For cars, two plates are installed, one on the front and another on the rear, accompanied by a windshield sticker displaying the registration details and HSRP number. Two-wheelers, however, have a single engraved plate on the rear without any additional sticker.
The Transport Department has urged vehicle owners to take advantage of this extended period to comply with the HSRP requirement, which enhances security and aligns with national standards for vehicle registration plates. The extension aims to ensure that all vehicles on the road are equipped with these secure plates, contributing to overall road safety and reducing the risk of vehicle theft.