Tourists hiring taxi bikes or scooters in Nainital district will not be permitted to ride yellow-number-plate vehicles themselves under a rule being enforced by the police. The vehicle owner or a driver officially appointed by the owner must operate the vehicle.

This means a tourist booking a yellow-number-plate 2-wheeler must travel with its authorised driver. The restriction follows complaints that vehicle owners were renting out taxi bikes and scooters directly to visitors in violation of permit conditions.

72 vehicles seized during checks

Police began a special checking campaign on Wednesday evening after receiving complaints about the alleged misuse of commercial 2-wheelers. By Thursday, 72 taxi bikes and scooters had been seized.

Action was also taken against 258 vehicle drivers. Police issued cash challans totalling about 47,000 rupees during the campaign.

According to the police, many owners had been ignoring the rules governing yellow-number-plate vehicles. Investigators found cases in which 4 to 5 vehicles were registered in a single person’s name and then rented to tourists at high prices.

Police said their inquiry found widespread violations of permit rules. The enforcement drive is intended to check the unauthorised rental and operation of these vehicles in the district.

What tourists can use instead

SP Traffic Dr Jagdish Chandra said a yellow-number-plate 2-wheeler can be driven only by its owner or a driver officially appointed by the owner. Tourists who want to rent a 2-wheeler may use vehicles with black number plates instead.

According to the traffic police, such vehicles can also be taken on mountain routes. The clarification gives visitors an alternative while enforcement continues against yellow-number-plate taxi bikes and scooters being operated directly by renters.

Conclusion

Nainital police have tightened checks on yellow-number-plate 2-wheelers after reported permit violations. Tourists must travel with the owner or an officially appointed driver when using such a vehicle, while black-number-plate vehicles are available for rental use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can tourists drive a yellow-number-plate taxi bike in Nainital district?

No. Only the vehicle owner or an officially appointed driver may operate it.

Q. What must accompany a tourist booking a yellow-number-plate 2-wheeler?

The tourist must travel with the vehicle’s owner or an officially appointed driver.

Q. How many taxi bikes and scooters were seized?

Police said 72 taxi bikes and scooters had been seized by Thursday.

Q. How many drivers faced action during the campaign?

Action was taken against 258 drivers.

Q. How much was collected through cash challans?

Police issued cash challans totalling about 47,000 rupees.

Q. Which vehicles can tourists rent for mountain routes?

Police said tourists can use black-number-plate vehicles, including on mountain routes.