In Yekaterinburg, more than 400 drivers will be fined for concealing license plates in parking lots.

      The Yekaterinburg administration, together with the State Traffic Inspectorate, conducted a series of raids during which more than 400 vehicles with deliberately concealed license plates were identified, the newspaper “Ъ-Ural” reports.

      According to the mayor’s office, owners tried to evade payment for parking by using various tricks to hide their license plates.

      “It is important to understand that a vehicle’s registration mark (license plate) is not the property of the car’s owner but of the state,” explained Vladimir Galakov, head of the Department for the Development of Road Transport Infrastructure of the Yekaterinburg administration. “Therefore any actions to conceal the data constitute an administrative offense. Failure to pay for the use of a municipal parking lot is considered the same offense.”

      Twelve hours of parking in the city center (from 8:00 to 20:00, the hours when parking fees are charged) can cost 600 rubles, which is five times less than the amount of the fine. According to Vladimir Galakov, the raids will be conducted regularly, “Ъ-Ural” reports.

      The day before, city residents shared their views on people who hide license plates in parking lots.