The Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, in collaboration with multiple departments, is cracking down on counterfeit license plates, leading to a 68% decrease in reported cases.
Starting from last year, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Directorate General of Highways has collaborated with multiple agencies, including the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, to initiate a cross-agency collaboration to combat counterfeit license plates. Actions have been implemented across various areas such as legal regulations, anti-counterfeiting measures in the supply chain, management of online platforms, and investigations. The number of counterfeit license plate cases reported decreased from 263 in August 2023 to 83 in April 2024, a reduction of 68%. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has been promoting legal amendments to increase fines and impose harsher penalties, demonstrating the government's commitment to cracking down on counterfeit license plate activities.
Key Updates
05/09 05:02
The Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, in collaboration with multiple departments, is cracking down on counterfeit license plates, leading to a 68% decrease in reported cases.
Starting from last year, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Directorate General of Highways has collaborated with multiple agencies, including the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, to initiate a cross-agency collaboration to combat counterfeit license plates. Actions have been implemented across various areas such as legal regulations, anti-counterfeiting measures in the supply chain, management of online platforms, and investigations. The number of counterfeit license plate cases reported decreased from 263 in August 2023 to 83 in April 2024, a reduction of 68%. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has been promoting legal amendments to increase fines and impose harsher penalties, demonstrating the government's commitment to cracking down on counterfeit license plate activities.
Peak of Fake License Plate Cases Reaches 263; Interagency Cooperation Proves Effective
In the second half of 2023, the number of fake license plate cases surged, drawing public attention. The Highway Bureau reported that in August 2023, the number of reported fake plate cases reached 263, marking a peak in recent years. Fake license plates not only disrupt vehicle management order but may also be used to evade traffic violations and engage in illegal activities, posing a threat to traffic safety and public security.
In response, the Highway Bureau collaborated with multiple agencies to establish a joint defense mechanism. By April 2024, the number of reported fake plate cases had dropped to 83, a 68% decrease from the peak. The Highway Bureau stated that this outcome indicates the initial success of various improvement measures.
Comprehensive Prevention Across Four Key Areas: From Source to Investigation
This action covers four key areas: legal measures, anti-counterfeiting measures in the supply chain, management of online platforms, and enforcement actions.
Regarding legal measures, the Ministry of Transportation has drafted amendments to Article 12 of the "Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act," increasing fines for those using fake, altered, or fraudulently obtained plates, and adding provisions for immediate vehicle impoundment and confiscation, as well as penalties for drivers. The Ministry of Justice is also considering adjustments to the penalties related to document forgery in the "Criminal Code" to align with the principles of proportionality and appropriate punishment.
Regarding anti-counterfeiting measures in the supply chain, the Ministry of Economic Affairs' International Trade Administration announced on December 27, 2023, that starting January 1, 2024, new restrictions on the import of license plate-related goods will be implemented. Coordination with the Ministry of Finance's Customs Administration and the Ministry of the Interior's National Police Agency is required to ensure customs, supervision, and police agencies cooperate in inspection and reporting to block the import of fake plates from abroad.
Management of online platforms is assisted by the Ministry of Digital Development, which has established reporting and takedown channels with e-commerce and social media platform operators, utilizing internet monitoring tools to actively search for fake plate information. So far, 741 instances of fake license plate information have been reported and removed.
In terms of enforcement actions, highway regulatory agencies have established a database of suspected fake plates, combining information on vehicles not allowed on the road and abnormal traffic data, providing police agencies with data for AI surveillance systems to enhance investigation efficiency. Parking management agencies also cooperate by reporting suspicious vehicles during fee collection operations.
Varied Sources of Fake Plates: Emphasis on Foreign Imports and Online Sales
According to statistics from the Highway Bureau, in addition to domestic manufacturing, fake license plates also have two major sources: foreign imports and online sales. As of April 2024, three instances of foreign-imported fake plates have been seized, and 741 pieces of fake plate sales information have been removed through online platform patrols.
The Highway Bureau emphasizes that license plates serve as proof of driving authorization, with their format, color, and number uniformly regulated by the Ministry of Transportation. They can only be applied for registration by vehicle owners through supervision agencies. Any plates not legally obtained are invalid, and manufacturing, selling, importing, or using fake plates is illegal.
Ongoing Legal Revisions: Enhancing Fines and Penalties
To enhance deterrence, the Ministry of Transportation has completed a draft amendment to Article 12 of the "Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act," which includes:
- Increasing fines for using fake, altered, or fraudulently obtained plates;
- Adding provisions for immediate impoundment and confiscation of violating vehicles;
- Penalizing drivers of vehicles using fake plates.
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice is considering adjustments to the penalties related to document forgery in the "Criminal Code," aiming to increase penalties for fake license plate activities to ensure punishment matches the severity of the behavior.
Highway Bureau Urges the Public Not to Break the Law
The Highway Bureau reiterates that the act of forging license plates violates multiple laws, and the government will continue to strengthen investigation and prevention through interagency cooperation. If the public discovers suspicious vehicles or fake plate sales information, they should proactively report to relevant authorities to jointly maintain traffic order and public safety.
