The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has clarified that while the government will begin implementing the embossed number plate system from September 17, vehicle owners will not face immediate fines or penalties if they fail to install the plates by that date.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the department said that confusion had risen due to misleading information in the media and on social platforms.

It confirmed that no punitive action will be taken immediately, but vehicle owners are encouraged to visit their respective transport offices and have the new plates installed at their convenience.

Officials said the decision to enforce embossed number plates was made by a committee meeting chaired by the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport under the 2020 Coordination and Interrelation Act.

Earlier, on August 19, the department had announced that number plate installation would be mandatory during vehicle registration, ownership transfer, and renewal from mid-September.

According to the department, embossed number plates will enable authorities to maintain accurate national vehicle records, support AI-based traffic management, curb theft and crime, prevent revenue leakage, and help in disaster response.

The department also stressed that the plates meet quality standards and that all data will be stored securely on domestic servers. It urged the public not to fall prey to misinformation over national security or data leaks.

While the rollout is set to begin gradually, the government has maintained that the move is part of a larger plan to digitalise transport management across the country.