BH Number Plate: Bharat Series Registration, Benefits, Eligibility
The BH series number plates were proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport andRead more
What is the Bharat (BH) Series Number Plate?
The BH number plate, also known as the Bharat series registration number, enables a single registration number to be valid for every state in India. Thus, the hassle of re-registering your vehicle when you shift to another state is not required with a Bharat Series number plate, saving time and effort.
The Bharat series number plate benefits individuals, who frequently transfer to different states. The BH series number is a great initiative towards bringing a uniform number plate throughout the country.
Key Features of the BH Number Plate
Here are some of the key features of the BH series number plate:
- Convenience: According to the previous law, car owners were required to change their vehicle registration number every time they relocated. This process of re-registration and refund from the older state was lengthy and also varied from state to state. With the new BH number plate, owners will not have to re-register if they are shifted to a new state. These vehicle registration number plates are valid across the nation and eliminate the hassle of registering in every new state.
- Simple Process: You can easily apply for a Bharat series number plate online on the Parivahan Sewa website using your vehicle details, like the engine number and chassis number.
- Cost of BH Number Plate Series: You have to pay the road tax in a 2-year instalment instead of paying the 15-year payment in a single go.
Who is Eligible for the BH Series Number Plate?
The following people are eligible for the BH series number plate in India:
- Government Officials: All central and state government officials are eligible to apply for a BH number plate.
- Defence Personnel: Defence personnel who frequently relocate for work, such as the army, navy, and Air Force members.
- Public and Pvt Sector Employees: Employees working in public sector undertakings, banks, or private companies with offices in at least four states or UTs are eligible for the number plate of the BH series.
How to Apply for Bharat Series Number Plate?
You can use the steps mentioned below to apply for the Bharat series number plate:
- Go to the Parivahan Sewa website: Visit the Parivahan Sewa homepage and click on the "Vehicle Registration" tab. Select "Bharat Series" from the given options.
- Fill out the Form: Fill out Form 20 and enter your vehicle details and your personal information.
- Gather Documents: Upload all the required documents, such as the working certificate, employee ID, certificate from the employer (to confirm offices in 4+ states/UTs), identity proof, address proof, motor insurance policy, etc.
- Pay Fees: Pay the registration fee, the road tax, and submit the form. Print your receipt and visit your RTO on the scheduled day to verify your documents. Your BH number plate will be generated after successful verification.
BH Number Plate Format
The BH number plate is in the format YY BH #### XX. The first two numbers are the vehicle's registration year (YY), followed by BH, which stands for Bharat and a unique four-digit number (XXXX) with one or two random alphabets (from AA to ZZ, except I and O).
For example, the BH registration number is '26BH1234M', where 26 is the registration year 2026, BH indicates Bharat Series, 1234 is the unique number, and M is the alphabet assigned by the system.
BH Number Plate Price
The BH number plate price depends on the type of your vehicle. You need to pay the following costs for a BH number plate:
- Road Tax: In vehicles with a state-wise registration number plate, the citizens must pay the road tax for 15 years. However, for vehicles that are registered under the Bharat (BH) series, road tax must be paid only for 2 years. Even though the payment is made every 2 years, the road tax is calculated based on the state where the vehicle was first registered.
- Registration and HSRP charges: You must pay the state-wise registration charges to apply for a BH series number plate.
- HSRP cost: Apart from the registration charges, all applicants must pay the high security registration plate price as well. The HSRP is an advanced form of number plates which are mandatory nationwide, tamper-proof, and can be easily identified to curb vehicle-related crimes.
BH Number Plate Tax Calculator
The total tax payable for a BH number plate is calculated based on the following tax slab, depending on the vehicle invoice price:
| Vehicle Invoice Price |
15-Year Road Tax Slab (Base for BH Calculation) |
| Below 10 lakh |
8% of the vehicle invoice price |
| Between 10-20 lakh |
10% of the vehicle invoice price |
| Above 20 lakh |
12% of the vehicle invoice price |
*An extra charge of 2% is applicable on diesel vehicles, and a rebate of 2% on electric vehicles.
Vehicle owners do not have to pay the full 15-year road tax at once, but every 2 years. The amount payable is calculated using this formula:
2-year BH series number plate tax = (15-year road tax × 1.25 × 2) ÷ 15
For example: If the invoice value of your petrol vehicle is ₹12,00,000, the total tax payable is 10% of 12,00,000, that is ₹1,20,000.
Whereas, the 2-year tax payable is: (15-year road tax × 1.25 × 2) ÷ 15
= (1,20,000 × 1.25 × 2) ÷ 15
= (3,00,000) ÷ 15
= ₹20,000
How to Pay BH Series Tax Online?
You can make the BH series tax payment online via the official website of the Parivahan Sewa Portal. Here is a step-by-step guide to paying the BH series registration tax online:
- Visit the official website of Parivahan
- On the given dropdown, select the State where your BH series number was originally registered from
- Enter the vehicle registration number and click on the 'Proceed' button.
- From the Online Services section, click on the Pay Your Tax option
- Enter the last 5 digits of the chassis number
- Select the 'Tax Mode' for two years, and your vehicle's details will show
- Make the BH number tax payment online. Once the payment is made, the updated tax due date will be shown.
How to Buy BH Series Car Insurance Online?
The process of buying car insurance for BH series is similar to that of a non-BH series car. Here is how you can get car insurance online for a Bharat series number car:
- Visit the homepage of Policybazaar.com (Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited)
- Select the 'Car Insurance' tab
- You will now be directed to a form where you are required to enter your BH series car number.
- Select the current RTO, make, model, variant and registration year.
- Fill in the registration form and proceed.
- From the given motor insurance plans, select the plan and add-ons that you desire.
- Fill in the proposal form and pay the final premium amount
- Upon successful payment, your BH series car insurance documents will be sent to the registered email address.
