Police list three legal reasons to use dealership number plates

The Ogun State Police Command has outlined three scenarios where motorists can legally utilize dealership number plates, emphasizing that these plates must not be employed for ordinary private purposes. According to DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Police Public Relations Officer, these situations include moving an unregistered vehicle from a port to a dealership, a prospective buyer inspecting or testing a vehicle, and a car being taken to a mechanic or auto shop for repairs.

Babaseyi explained these guidelines in the context of Operation VELVET, a police initiative led by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, aimed at crime prevention via proper vehicle identification. The operation seeks to identify vehicles, detect stolen ones, and address the issue of improperly registered, concealed, or defaced number plates.

Proper identification of vehicles is crucial in combating crimes such as one-chance robbery, abduction, and car theft, Babaseyi emphasized, as identification helps in preventing such criminal activities. He specifically cautioned against the misuse of dealership number plates, stating that there are only three valid reasons for using these plates.

These reasons include bringing an unregistered car from the port to a dealership, allowing a prospective buyer to inspect or test a vehicle, and transporting a car to a mechanic for repairs. Any other reason for using a dealership number plate is deemed invalid. Babaseyi urged the public to comply with the rules governing the use of dealership number plates, asserting that proper vehicle identification aids the police in preventing crime.

He noted that the absence of proper registration makes it harder for the police to track stolen vehicles, but with registration and adherence to laws, it becomes easier to fight crime. The police command emphasized that dealership plates are not a free pass to use unregistered vehicles for everyday activities, stressing that they are issued under a trade licence for authorized dealership purposes.

The plate must be used by an authorized person for an authorized purpose and in accordance with the conditions of the trade licence. The command warned that dealership plates should not be used for routine private use, carrying passengers or goods for reward, or concealing the identity of a vehicle. They further explained that once a vehicle is registered for ordinary use, it should display its assigned registration number, implying that vehicle identification is a valuable source of intelligence for the police.

The statement concluded with a reminder that proper vehicle identification is essential for establishing ownership, tracing vehicle movements, and acting on reports of stolen vehicles or crimes linked to vehicles.