Number plate ads illegal: Ombudsman
New regulations make it illegal to print any form of advertising on vehicle number plates, says the motor industry ombudsman.
"This includes the printing of the name and location of the selling dealer, whether it is a new or a used vehicle," said ombudsman Johan van Vreden in a statement.
"No ornamentation, figure or letter that is not a component of the standard equipment or construction of a vehicle, may appear within 150mm of the vehicle's licence number."
Van Vreden said it appeared vehicle owners and dealerships were not aware of the new national regulation which made it illegal to print any form of advertising on number plates or number plate holders.
“Contravention of this ruling makes the vehicle not roadworthy and the vehicle owner liable to prosecution and applicable fines."
He said since the beginning of the year specific requirements regarding the size of vehicle number plates had also come into force and the road-user would be liable if these were not conformed to.
The only legally acceptable sizes of number plates for vehicles registered from January 1, 2010, are 520mm X 113mm, 250mm X 205mm and 205mm X 165mm.
"When buying a new or used vehicle, purchasers should insist that the above legal requirements are implemented by the dealer berfore taking delivery of a vehicle," he said.
