Jakarta, Eyewitness – The Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas Polri) continues to strengthen its digital transformation in traffic law enforcement. A key policy currently being prioritized is the implementation of Facial Recognition (FR) technology—integrated with the Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE) system and the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) database—to identify violators using fake license plates or those failing to display official vehicle registration plates (TNKB).
This policy, directed by the Head of the Traffic Corps, Inspector General Wibowo, was implemented in response to the persistently high number of violations regarding vehicle registration plates. Data from Korlantas Polri for the first semester of 2026 shows that the ETLE system recorded 16,812 violations related to license plates. These violations involved vehicles either lacking registration plates or displaying fake ones, with 77.24 percent of the infractions committed by motorcyclists.
Brigadier General I Made Agus Prasatya, Director of Law Enforcement at Korlantas Polri, stated that the official vehicle registration plate serves as the vehicle’s official identity issued by the police and is a crucial component of the vehicle registration and identification system, as well as law enforcement.
“Based on data from the first semester—January to July 2026—there were 16,812 violations captured by ETLE involving vehicles without license plates or with fake ones. A total of 77.24 percent were committed by motorcyclists,” said Brigadier General I Made Agus on Tuesday (August 4, 2026).
He explained that these violations are generally committed to evade ETLE enforcement, circumvent the odd-even traffic policy, or conceal traces of criminal acts or hit-and-run incidents.
“This reflects a tendency to evade ETLE electronic law enforcement and odd-even policy restrictions, as well as to cover tracks in criminal cases and hit-and-run incidents,” he explained. To address this challenge, the National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas Polri) has implemented facial recognition technology capable of identifying drivers via ETLE cameras and matching the data with the Civil Registry (Dukcapil) database. With this technology, a driver’s identity can be determined even if the vehicle uses a fake license plate, has the plate obscured, or lacks a plate entirely.
The implementation of facial recognition not only enhances the accuracy of traffic law enforcement but also aids in solving roadside crimes, ensures violation notices reach the correct individuals, and prevents the misuse of vehicle identities.
“Vehicles where ETLE capture data does not match registration records will be flagged for potentially using fake plates. Verification results from back-office staff are then forwarded to field officers for enforcement action,” stated Brigadier General I Made Agus.
In addition to optimizing static, mobile, and portable ETLE systems, Korlantas Polri is stepping up patrols by Highway Patrol (PJR) units and the Law Enforcement Sub-directorate (Subdit Gakkum) in areas prone to license plate violations. Enforcement is conducted humanely, prioritizing electronic systems, while punitive measures serve as a last resort for non-compliant offenders.
Korlantas Polri reminds the public that displaying vehicle license plates is mandatory under Article 68, Paragraph (1) of Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Traffic and Road Transportation. Drivers failing to display plates may be charged under Article 280 of the same Law, facing a maximum of two months in jail or a fine of up to IDR 500,000. Meanwhile, the use of fake license plates can lead to charges under Article 391 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), carrying a maximum prison sentence of six years.
“We take no pride in taking enforcement action; law enforcement is a last resort. Our priority is public compliance through the ETLE system and the use of technology to ensure safety, order, and legal certainty on the roads,” emphasized Brigadier General I Made Agus Prasatya.
