Why You Should Not Use a Fancy Number Plate for Your Car in India?
Buying a car is a dream for many of us, but it also comes with specific legalRead more
Why to Avoid Fancy Number Plates in India?
Every car in India must be registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) as per the Indian Motor Laws. A temporary registration number is issued initially, which is valid for up to one month, during which the vehicle owner must apply for permanent registration and the number plates. They must be fitted with an HSRP number plate. Not following these rules, including having a fancy number plate can cause legal consequences. Here are some of the key reasons to avoid a fancy number plate in India:
- No Legal Compliance: Using fancy or customised number plates violates the Central Motor Vehicles Act, and result in fines and challans.
- Poor Visibility: Stylised fonts, altered spacing, or decorative elements reduce the visibility and authenticity of the number plate. This makes it difficult for traffic police and surveillance cameras to accurately read and trace registration numbers.
- Increased Risk: Cars with fancy number plates are unsafe and even used for unlawful activities, as they are difficult to track. Since they are seen with suspiction, it could cause unnecessary delays at security checks.
- Mandatory Use of HSRP: High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) are designed to be tamper-proof and uniform. Therefore, customising your number plates tampers the standard and prescribed format, which is considered illegal.
Are Fancy Number Plates Legal in India?
No, fancy number plates are not legal in India. As per the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, all vehicles must display registration numbers in the approved font style, size, spacing, and colour. Any modification such as decorative fonts, symbols, stickers, or customised designs is considered a violation of motor vehicle laws and can attract penalties.
If you are caught driving a car with a fancy number plate, a challan can be issued to you. As per Section 51 and 177 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, you will be required to pay a fine if you are caught using a fancy number plate. Moreover, this can also cause problems when you file a claim against your car insurance.
What is the Format for a Car Registration Number Plate?
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, has a specifiic format for the registration number plate for all cars, which is given below:
- The size of the number plate of a light motor vehicle is 340x200 mm.
- All passenger cars should have a number plate of size 500x120 mm.
- A number plate should have a font height of 65mm and a width of 10 mm. A space of 10mm should be there between every letter or number.
The registration plate of a car should also follow the prescribed colour combination. The colour combination for the number plate varies according to the category of vehicle you have. The following table represents the prescribed colour combination for the car registration number plate as per the category of the car:
| Car Category |
Background Colour of the Car License Number Plate |
Font Colour on the Car License Number Plate |
| Temporary Registered Cars |
Yellow |
Red |
| Private Cars |
White |
Black |
| Rental Cabs |
Yellow |
Black |
| Commercial Transport |
Yellow |
Black |
Guidelines for the Car Registration Number Plate
As per the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, here are the guidelines you must follow to register a number plate:
- Every car should have a clearly visible HSRP.
- The number plate should be placed at the front as well as the back of the car.
- All letters on the number plate should be written in the English language, while all numbers should be in Arabic numerals.
- It should not have any symbols, pictures, stickers, names or art on it.
- It should not be written in a fancy font or colours.
Summing It Up
Personalizing your car's number plate may be extremely enticing. However, going against the law of the country is never a good idea, and the motor laws of India ban the usage of fancy number plates in cars. Therefore, you are advised to follow the prescribed format and guidelines for the number plate of your car. If you are caught violating this law, you may attract heavy fines which even the best car insurance policy may not cover on your behalf.
