Lesotho Officially Launches Personalised Number Plates

The Honourable Minister of Public Works and Transport, Hon. Matjato Moteane, has officially launched personalised number plates in Lesotho. The launch ceremony was held at the Traffic Offices in Ha Foso, marking a major milestone in the country’s transport sector.

In his address, Hon. Moteane highlighted that the initiative has been years in the making. The idea was first introduced in 2014 but faced numerous challenges that delayed implementation. In 2017, Parliament passed regulations to support the project, yet specific payment requirements prevented it from taking off. A new attempt in 2023 also failed due to high costs associated with personalisation.

After these setbacks, the Government has now succeeded in officially rolling out the service in 2025. Motorists can now apply for personalised number plates with a maximum of six characters.

The new plates come with advanced features designed to improve security and efficiency. “The personalised number plate is advantageous because it includes a QR PIN STEP, which can be scanned to reflect both the owner’s and the vehicle’s information,” said Hon. Moteane. This digital feature aims to make verification faster and reduce fraud.

Alongside the launch, Hon. Moteane outlined new strategies to address ongoing service delivery challenges at the Traffic Department. He confirmed that officials will provide weekly presentations to both the Minister and the Principal Secretary to monitor progress. By November, the Ministry plans to improve the turnaround time for issuing number plates, ensuring that the public receives services more efficiently.

The introduction of personalised number plates is expected to modernise the vehicle registration system in Lesotho. It reflects government efforts to balance innovation with accessibility, while also enhancing accountability in the transport sector.