The Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has instructed traffic police across the province not to fine motorists for using privately manufactured vehicle number plates, provided they conform strictly to the government-approved Punjab format.
In a letter issued on 19 February 2026, the office of the Director General Excise and Taxation Punjab informed the Punjab Traffic Police that during routine road checks, some officers had been demanding “original” government-issued number plates from motorcycle and vehicle owners and, in certain cases, issuing fines on that basis.
The department clarified that no fee is currently being charged for government-produced number plates and that the centralised production of licensed plates has been discontinued. Citizens are now permitted to obtain number plates from any private vendor, as long as the plates strictly adhere to the approved Punjab design and specifications.
The letter directs traffic police officials to verify only whether a number plate matches the prescribed Punjab format during road inspections. It further states that motorists cannot be required to present an original government-manufactured plate, as central issuance has ceased.
Authorities have also been instructed not to impose fines on vehicle owners using number plates produced by private vendors, provided the design complies with official standards. Officials have been urged to ensure strict implementation of these instructions to prevent unnecessary inconvenience to the public.
