Some motorists have been asking what the big deal is with stickers they are supposed to pick up according a schedule recently announced on the Government Info Page in the newspaper. They say this cannot be required of those who already paid their road tax, also because there is no provision for such in the traffic ordinance.
Perhaps not, but these stickers replace the new 2020 number plates that were never produced this year, as a way for law enforcement to easily see whether a vehicle is compliant. In other words, cars with stickers are far less likely to be stopped during road controls.
The latter is no big problem either if they have the proof of payment, because the most police will probably do is suggest getting the sticker to avoid being stopped again. The point is that having one may prevent unnecessary loss of time.
Contrary to the generic stickers ordered last year because certain people objected to driving with licence plates that said “50 years of carnival” the current version has the specific vehicle plate number. This also means it is not attractive to – for example – sell them to others trying to evade the tax.
These kinds of stickers could also be permanently used instead of plates as a more environment-friendly and cheaper solution. That would still require another set of plates that do not mention 2019 – or any other date – in 2021, which can then be used for several years with a different sticker annually.
So no, collecting this sticker might not be mandatory, but it certainly make sense if one prefers not being checked all the time. Consider it a matter of convenience.
