Number plates prevented from crossing EU borders; cute puffin plates for drivers in Oregon; a deluge of fake number plate tags in the USA and Egypt gets serious about number plate tampering.
More number plate politics in Europe
Earlier this year, Russian number plates were banned in all Baltic countries and, more widely, throughout much of Europe. Due to its alignment with Russia, Belarusian plates have also now been widely banned.
As of mid-July, Latvia and Lithuania have introduced rules excluding Belarus-registered vehicles from their territories, thus blocking primary access routes into the EU. The measures will support sanctions introduced by the EU against Russia and Belarus.
Until August, Lithuania operated an exemption that did allow some privately owned Belarusian cars into the country, but that has now expired and a blanket ban is in force.
The Lithuanian Customs Department said that passenger cars with Belarusian number plates already in the EU were obliged to leave by January 18, 2025. After January 18, 2025, drivers of Belarus-registered vehicles found in Lithuanian territory will be considered in breach of the law. Offenders will be fined and their cars will be confiscated.
The ban does not apply to Belarusian vehicles with diplomatic licence plates, if the vehicle is engaged in diplomatic or consular business.
Oregon drivers may soon be able to display puffin license plates
Supporters of an aquarium in the State of Oregon, north west USA, will soon have the chance to display colourful license plates featuring the cute seabird, which is native to the state's coast. The puffin is not Oregon's official state bird - that is the western meadowlark - but it is still very popular, especially in coastal communities.
To qualify for manufacture of the new plates, Oregon Coast Aquarium needs to sell 3,000 vouchers for the plates to demonstrate demand. Oregon, like many American states, permits eligible charities, causes and organisations to design novelty plates.
Louisiana's fake-plate plague
Law enforcement officers in the city of Kenner, Louisiana, have been cracking down on a proliferation of fake license plates in the area. The city's police chief said that officers had made over 100 arrest since the beginning of June.
An investigation by the news outlet Fox 8 Live indicated that Louisiana's fake plate issues run much deeper than the 100 arrests in Kenner. Fox 8 claims that there are likely to be thousands of bogus plates on Louisiana's roads, and highlight temporary license tags as being a particular problem. Known as 'temp tags', these are temporary 'plates' printed on paper for use while the driver waits for the vehicle's proper license plates to arrive. Temp tags are usually displayed inside the rear window and windshield.
The problem of fakes is not specific to any state, it is a nationwide nuisance. While law enforcement officers have become quite adept at spotting fake tags, the problem persists as drivers seek to evade tolls, traffic offences and speeding fines. Counterfeit tags also enable people to get away with driving without proper documents and insurance.
Egypt tackles plate tampering with fines and jail terms
Just as it is in the UK, altering or obscuring a vehicle's number plates is against the law in Egypt. The country's Council of Ministers has approved draft legislation that will increase penalties for tampering with number plates.
The amendment to Egypt's Traffic Law No. 66 of 1973, threatens offenders with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. Fines will range from 2000 Egyptian pounds (EGP) to 5000 EGP - approximately £30 to £80 GBP. The level of fines may seem modest, but average wages in Egypt are much lower than in the UK. There is also the possibility of being sent to prison for up to 12 months. Repeat offenders will face doubled penalties.
As well as defacing, altering or obscuring the plates, the penalties will apply in cases where plates have been removed.
