KP to replace vehicle number plates with RFID-enabled smart plates

Peshawar  (Web Desk): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to replace the number plates of all public and private vehicles across the province as part of efforts to modernize the vehicle identification and security system.

According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Excise Department, the new number plates will incorporate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, enabling faster vehicle identification and more effective tracking.

The smart number plates will feature special RFID stickers linked to a centralized digital database.

Through this system, law enforcement agencies will be able to instantly access a vehicle's registration details, ownership information, and other relevant records by scanning the plate, making it easier to detect stolen, suspicious, or unregistered vehicles.

Officials said the new system will be implemented for all government and privately owned vehicles throughout the province.

At present, the existing number plates issued by the provincial government cost Rs1,200, while the new RFID-enabled smart number plates have been priced at Rs4,000.

The Excise Department said the initiative is aimed at maintaining a secure and transparent vehicle registration system, improving traffic management, and assisting law enforcement agencies in preventing crime.

The new technology will also make vehicle verification and monitoring faster and more efficient.

The development follows a similar move by the Punjab government, which has already announced the introduction of modern number plates equipped with enhanced security features and RFID technology.

In Punjab, the official issuance of number plates was temporarily suspended in April 2024, allowing vehicle owners to obtain plates from the open market.

The provincial government later announced that newly issued plates would carry RFID chips, enabling authorities to instantly retrieve complete details of a vehicle and its registered owner.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's latest initiative is being seen as a major step toward digitizing vehicle registration, strengthening security, and enhancing digital surveillance across the province.