MINISTRY of Transport has appealed to all motorists who are using vehicle number plates bearing the coat arms to return them to the ministry by the end of October for re-registration.

According to the ministry’s Chief Information Officer, Ntumeleng Ntšekhe – Moloinyane, the registration of vehicles will be free of charge.

The ministry, she said will provide registration services even over the weekends, between 9am and 2pm to speed up the process.

Mrs Ntšekhe-Moloinyane said effective from November 1; it will be illegal to use number plates bearing the coat of arms.

“During this process, the Ministry of Transport will be producing number plates with Basotho hat (mokorotlo) for those who will be using temporary number plates,” a statement from the ministry showed, adding that it will be following COVID-19 regulations in order to ensure Basotho’s safety during the period.

The ministry introduced the new vehicle number plates about a year ago with new features that include the coat of arms and six digits after phasing out the old ones.

In addition, vehicles for Members of Parliament (MPs) were also provided with new registration number plates.
The ministry also launched an electronic National Traffic Information System (e-NaTIS) in 2018.