Number plate fell off on the Highway! Anything to worry about?

StrangeWizard · 29th July 2013, 18:19

Ok so my car has those embossed number plates with the black plastic holders. The plates were not held by screws.

Now some days back someone had banged my car slightly in the front while it was parked and the number plate holder broke from one side. No other damage.
Then today I was returning home via the Western Express highway and after parking my car in my bldg I saw the number plate was missing ! The broken holder was still there and it was in the open position. So I'm guessing it fell off on the highway, maybe while passing through some pothole.

Now my query is, do I need to worry that I've lost the plate? Is there any chance of someone picking it up and misusing it? Any other issues?

I've already got a new plate.

Do help, thanks.

blackasta · 29th July 2013, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeWizard

Now my query is, do I need to worry that I've lost the plate? Is there any chance of someone picking it up and misusing it? Any other issues?

I've already got a new plate.

Do help, thanks.

Well, if anyone has the intention of specifically targeting you, they have many more options. To be on the safer side and for a good night's sleep, I would say go put in a general diary in your local PS, and keep a stamped/received copy of the same in your possession.

yogibear007 · 29th July 2013, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeWizard

Now my query is, do I need to worry that I've lost the plate? Is there any chance of someone picking it up and misusing it? Any other issues?

There is hardly anything you can do actually.
On the second front, I do not think it's an offence on your part in case somebody is held up misusing your number plate. In situations of some accident or wrongful act of being recorded with a vehicle using your number plate, the query will come to you but the vehicle similarities will not be there so no effect for you. But just in case, It would be a good idea to have the General Diary entry mentioned by blackasta in the local police station for such eventuality. You need not do any explaining in case there is a copy of such entry with you.

Lalvaz · 29th July 2013, 19:04

Dont think any purpose will be served by a General diary entry, because its so easy to get a numberplate made. I mean, whats the big deal? Old numberplate fell, new one made, old one probably picked by some scrap merchant, and melted for the metal.

Chetan_Rao · 29th July 2013, 19:12

Blackasta's advice makes sense. Though the chances of someone using your number-plate for criminal activities on a vehicle of similar make/model maybe minimal, it's always safe to have an acknowledged copy of your police report, just in case. Won't take more than a half hour, and gives you peace of mind more than anything else.

carzone · 29th July 2013, 20:16

I would also suggest to just get the local PS informed. Rag pickers would mostly pick it up if fallen somewhere and and would deal it with the scrap dealers.
Just for the peace of mind, get it registered at the PS.

StrangeWizard · 29th July 2013, 20:47

Thanks for the replies guys. I feel no one will stop in the middle of the highway just to pick up a number plate, and most likely it would be completely damaged by cars passing over it.

I was just slightly worried hence started the thread.

phamilyman · 29th July 2013, 21:21

I would advise nothing of the above. Atleast gurgaon PS'es are a complete waste of time - I invested 4 hours to get FIR for my car's lost RC. A number plate can be made by anyone anywhere. Its not something whose misuse you can anyways prevent, no? chillax man. Its fine - don't invest more time after one loss already!

JohnyBoy · 30th July 2013, 05:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeWizard

Thanks for the replies guys. I feel no one will stop in the middle of the highway just to pick up a number plate, and most likely it would be completely damaged by cars passing over it.

I was just slightly worried hence started the thread.

Wizard, don't worry. Agree with the opinion of other members.
One more point - you lost only one number plate. Even if someone is going to use / abuse it, he has to make one more, right? Whoever is going to take that much trouble would rather make a set of 2 number plates instead of waiting for one to fall in the highway and pick and use.

29th July 2013, 18:19	#1
StrangeWizard BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bombay Posts: 760 Thanked: 314 Times	Number plate fell off on the Highway! Anything to worry about? Ok so my car has those embossed number plates with the black plastic holders. The plates were not held by screws. Now some days back someone had banged my car slightly in the front while it was parked and the number plate holder broke from one side. No other damage. Then today I was returning home via the Western Express highway and after parking my car in my bldg I saw the number plate was missing ! The broken holder was still there and it was in the open position. So I'm guessing it fell off on the highway, maybe while passing through some pothole. Now my query is, do I need to worry that I've lost the plate? Is there any chance of someone picking it up and misusing it? Any other issues? I've already got a new plate. Do help, thanks.
	() Thanks

29th July 2013, 19:04	#4
Lalvaz Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,458 Thanked: 2,418 Times	re: Number plate fell off on the Highway! Anything to worry about? Dont think any purpose will be served by a General diary entry, because its so easy to get a numberplate made. I mean, whats the big deal? Old numberplate fell, new one made, old one probably picked by some scrap merchant, and melted for the metal.
	(1) Thanks

29th July 2013, 19:12	#5
Chetan_Rao Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,800 Thanked: 28,339 Times	re: Number plate fell off on the Highway! Anything to worry about? Blackasta's advice makes sense. Though the chances of someone using your number-plate for criminal activities on a vehicle of similar make/model maybe minimal, it's always safe to have an acknowledged copy of your police report, just in case. Won't take more than a half hour, and gives you peace of mind more than anything else.
	(1) Thanks

29th July 2013, 20:16	#6
carzone BHPian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mumbai Posts: 581 Thanked: 297 Times	re: Number plate fell off on the Highway! Anything to worry about? I would also suggest to just get the local PS informed. Rag pickers would mostly pick it up if fallen somewhere and and would deal it with the scrap dealers. Just for the peace of mind, get it registered at the PS.
	(1) Thanks

29th July 2013, 20:47	#7
StrangeWizard BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bombay Posts: 760 Thanked: 314 Times	Thanks for the replies guys. I feel no one will stop in the middle of the highway just to pick up a number plate, and most likely it would be completely damaged by cars passing over it. I was just slightly worried hence started the thread.
	() Thanks

29th July 2013, 21:21	#8
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,975 Thanked: 4,675 Times	re: Number plate fell off on the Highway! Anything to worry about? I would advise nothing of the above. Atleast gurgaon PS'es are a complete waste of time - I invested 4 hours to get FIR for my car's lost RC. A number plate can be made by anyone anywhere. Its not something whose misuse you can anyways prevent, no? chillax man. Its fine - don't invest more time after one loss already!
	(2) Thanks