Choice Numbers

In 1995 the MEC for Transport Mr S’bu Ndebele became aware of Personalised Licence Numbers being sold in New Zealand and other countries, and being conscious of their great potential as a revenue earner for South Africa, became excited about the idea of introducing this concept into KwaZulu-Natal. A great deal of research was undertaken on the subject with the Deputy Director initiating and leading a study tour of New Zealand and Australia during May 1996. The Provincial counterparts of Free State and Gauteng accompanied him during the fact-finding mission which resulted in a proposal being put forward to Provincial Cabinet. The Provincial Cabinet approved the concept in November 1996 at a fee of R1500-00, inclusive of the number plates.

The Minister Mr S’bu Ndebele decided on green characters on a white background for Personalised Licence Numbers. The personalised portion of the number plate is restricted to a maximum of 7 alpha and/or numeric characters with the 8th character space providing for a hyphen, followed by the unique Provincial identification, being ZN. The wording "KwaZulu-Natal" is printed on the bottom of the plate. You have the option of choosing the standard lettering style or the broader lettering style.

The administering of Personalised Licence numbers in most other countries is undertaken by the private sector. In KwaZulu-Natal, however, it was felt that the Motor Licensing Bureau was dynamic enough and had the right personality to undertake this enormous task. The Choice Numbers Section of the Bureau, created especially to perform this task, administers the allocation of Personalised Licence Numbers effectively and efficiently with a service that smacks of true professionalism. Within a day of an application for a Personalised Licence Number, the letter of approval is posted to the applicant. Once payment is effected, you will have the plates on your vehicle, expressing your own individuality within 72 hours, anywhere in the province! However, an application may be declined if the number is considered blasphemous, offensive, obscene or derogatory. Should you disagree therewith, an Adjudicating Committee comprising of 5 senior officials, will decide on the numbers desirability. If you are still unhappy with the adjudicating committee decisions, you can appeal in writing, to the Minister of Transport: KwaZulu-Natal Mr S’bu Ndebele.

With regard to the receipt of number plates once payment has been effected you have the option of:

1. collecting the plates from your registering authority;
2. collecting the plates from the manufacturer, and/or
3. having the number plates posted to you.

To ensure against illegal and/or fraudulent Personalised Licence Number Plates, only one manufacturer, by means of a public tender, was awarded the opportunity to manufacture Personalised Licence Number Plates. The plates are only produced upon instruction from the Motor Licensing Bureau: Head Office. Furthermore the materials utilised for the manufacture of the Personalised Licence Number Plates underwent stringent tests and were approved by the SABS. The materials utilised also make for easy identification by camera for law enforcement purposes. The Personalised Licence Number Plates also have a unique watermark thereon as well as a hologram to further eliminate against the use of illegal and/or fraudulent number plates. Members of the public who have legally purchased their Personalised Licence Number at the fee of R1500-00 can be rest assured that, in view of the aforementioned security measures, illegal and/or fraudulent Personalised Licence Number plates, can be, and will be, easily identified by law enforcement officials.

The first Personalised Licence Number was sold on 1 March 1997 and soon thereafter vehicles bearing FUNBOY, LOVER, 4U2NV, TOYBOY, BAFANA, etc could be seen throughout the Province. The Minister of Transport: KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Sbu’ Ndebele personally presented some of the first applicants with their Personalised Licence Number Plates at a presentation held at the Durban Motor Licensing Bureau on 6 March 1997. Companies have also found Personalised Licence numbers to be inexpensive mobile billboards and a number of companies have bought Personalised Licence Numbers for their fleet of vehicles. The Department of Transport: KwaZulu-Natal’s "booze bus’s" also display Personalised Licence Numbers.

The monies generated from the sale of Personalised Licence Numbers were at first used for the provision of rural access roads, the maintenance of our failing roads and road safety projects. To date, in the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, 55 bridges as well as access roads to 14 schools and ± 8 clinics have been built.

A total of 1300 Personalised Licence Number were sold from March 1997 to March 2003 totalling R21 102 883.00, therefore why not be unique, stylish or simply you. Join the club today. Invest in a Personalised Licence Number and feel good about contributing to improving the roads in our beautiful province, KwaZulu-Natal. For further information on Personalised Licence Numbers you can contact the Choice Numbers Section of the Motor Licensing Bureau in Pietermaritzburg at telephone number - (033) 345 3321. The staff of the Section will also assist you with choosing a Personalised Licence Number that is "you."

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