Enforcement Blitz Targets Unregistered Bike Taxis Operating Across Kochi

Regulatory Standards and Public Risk

The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) is actively penalizing private motorcycle owners who utilize ride-hailing applications to offer taxi services without the mandatory commercial registration. Enforcement RTO Biju Isaac confirmed that legitimate operators must secure yellow number plates to signify their professional status. While the registration transition typically requires only 48 hours, many riders continue to bypass these legal frameworks.

Tactical Stings and Growing Penalties

To identify offenders, enforcement squads have adopted a strategy of posing as customers. Officers use mobile applications to schedule rides, apprehended the violators upon arrival. Although several riders have attempted to blacklist MVD contact numbers, the department maintains the initiative by rotating phone lines. A recent concentrated inspection by five specialized squads resulted in 36 citations and the collection of ₹1.18 lakh in fines. Notable infractions discovered during these stops included:

• Operating vehicles without valid insurance policies.
• Lack of mandatory Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.
• Riders operating without standard driving licenses.

Concerns Over Youth Participation and Insurance Liability

MVD officials noted that a high percentage of those flagged are young individuals seeking supplemental revenue. In one instance, authorities intercepted a rider operating solely with a learner’s permit. Beyond the immediate fines, the department warns that passengers face severe risks. Transport officials stressed that if an accident occurs on a bike with private white plates instead of commercial yellow ones, insurance providers possess the right to deny coverage claims. While Kerala has not yet recorded such an insurance rejection, the MVD views the surge in illegal operations as a significant liability threat to the traveling public.

Source: The Hindu — National