RTA warns motorists against changing ‘TS’ to ‘TG’ registration prefix

Some motorists were found to be tampering the number plates of their old vehicles from TS to TG, causing concern for RTA officials.

Hyderabad: The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials have come across instances of more than one vehicle with the same registration number plying on the roads – thanks to some enthusiastic motorists changing the prefix code ‘TS’ to ‘TG’ on their own.

After the formation of Telangana, the State code for vehicle registration changed from AP to TS. It continued for about ten years till the Congress government which came to power recently, changed it to TG.

---

It was clarified that the TS code for old vehicles will continue with motorists not needing to change it and that the new prefix will be applicable only to newly registered vehicles. However, out of enthusiasm, some motorists were found to be tampering the number plates of their old vehicles from TS to TG, causing concern for RTA officials.

With the new TG code coming into effect, the Transport department officials are reassigning registration numbers to new vehicles in order starting from ‘A’ alphabet. Currently ‘C’ series is ongoing. When the TS code was introduced at the time of the emergence of the new state, it was started in the ‘E’ series. Now soon ‘E’ series will start in TG code also.

Usually, numbering starts from 0001. Gradually the number previously allotted under TS will now also be allotted in TG series as well. But if a motorist with a TS number plate sets up a TG on his own, his number will clash with a vehicle with the same number as the official TG code.

Explaining this, an official said that if an old vehicle owner with TS A 0001 number changes it to TG A 0001 on his own, it will clash with the number being allotted now to a new vehicle.

“When there are road accidents and crimes, if the numbers clash, the investigation of the case will get complicated. Apart from this, even the motorist who has the correct official number will face difficulties,” said a senior police official.

Meanwhile, Transport Department officials said that some motorists with TS number plates also approach them requesting changing their prefix code to TG. But that is not possible.

“If anyone changes the state code on the number plate by himself, it is tampering and should be considered a crime. Action under MV Act will also be taken against such people. Motorists should be aware of this,” cautioned a senior official.