An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Kwarteng Amaning, has enlightened the public on the appropriate use of Defective from Port (DP) and Defective Vehicle (DV) plates by drivers in the country.
Over the years, owners of new and unregistered vehicles have used the cars with the plates in question to convey people and materials at different points, but according to the Police officer, such use is an illegality which many drivers have overlooked and have warranted confrontations from the Police.
He noted that the “DP” plated vehicles which connotes their documentations have not been completed from the Port, are supposed to be parked in garages or workshops after their clearance from the port.
ACP Kwarteng added in his statement: “the plate expires two weeks after its issuance, but if you want to continue using the car, then you must go for a DV plate.”
The DV plate on the other hand, though may be used for a longer period but not more than a year, must be occupied by the owner only, but where it is on sale, he stressed must be occupied by the seller, buyer and their mechanics only for purposes of testing.
Quoting the law regulating the use of these plates, he said, “No person shall use a trade licence for a purpose not authorised by this regulation and also under any of the following circumstances, that is for funerals, weddings, carrying children to school, carrying family relatives, friends or other persons.”
“Any person who commits any of the above offences shall be charged under section 5.0, Section B of the Road Traffic Act, Act 683 of 2004,” Mr. Kwarteng added.
