INTRODUCTION OF REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR NUMBER PLATE MANUFACTURING AND REGISTRATION MARK EMBOSSING ACTIVITIES2

This initiative seeks to regulate the activity of manufacturing blank number plates and embosing of regisration marks on blank plates in Zambia. For a long time, the nation has not had a regulatory framework for the two activties which has posed a significant challenge to the Road Transport and Safety Agency. Section 28 of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 (hereqfter the ‘Act’), makes it mandatory for a person who manafuctures registration marks and numbers to obtian a pernit from RTSA. However there are currently no regulations on the procedure for applying for permits, how the permits should be issued, the conditions for issuance, and the fees payable.

Section 28 of the Act, referred to above, was introducd in 2002. Prior to 2002, there was no requirement for a person who manufactures registration marks and number, to obtain a permit. The Regstration and Licencing Regulations under the repealed Roads and Road Traffic Act Cap 464 of the Laws of Zambia provided specificatons for embossing of registration marks on blank plates but did not go so far as to provide a regulatory framework for the manufacture of blank plates and embossing of registration marks.