Different Types of Vehicle Number Plates in India: All You Need to Know

What is a Number Plate?

A number plate or vehicle registration plate is a metal plate fixed at the lower front and back of the vehicle displaying its registration number. The alphanumeric registration number on the number plate denotes specific details about that vehicle. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) issues the registration number and the number plate for all vehicles in the country.

However, various coloured number plates are available in India with each having its own significance. Besides, you cannot buy a bike insurance policy unless you have a vehicle registration number and number plate issued by the RTO.

Types of Number Plates

In India, the following types of number plates are issued by the RTO:

1. White - A white number plate with black numbers and letters is for private vehicles. A vehicle with a white number plate cannot be used for commercial purposes.
2. Yellow - A yellow number plate with black numbers and letters is for commercial vehicles in India, such as taxis, buses, autos, trucks, etc.
3. Green - A green number plate with white numbers and letters is for Electronic Vehicles (EVs) for personal use. However, commercial EV vehicles get a green number plate with numbers and letters in yellow.
4. Blue - A blue number plate with white numbers and letters is for vehicles used by foreign missions, delegates and embassies in India. Under this number plate, the letters CC denote Consular Corps, DC denotes Diplomat Corps, UN denotes United Nations, etc.
5. Black - A black number plate with yellow numbers and letters is for self-rental vehicles like bikes. Such vehicles are registered for commercial purposes but owned by a private owner. However, you do not need a commercial driving license to drive such vehicles.
6. Red – A red number plate with white numbers and letters is issued to brand-new vehicles awaiting permanent registration numbers. It displays the temporary registration number, which is valid for 30 days.
7. Red with India's Emblem - A red number plate with India's emblem is exclusively designed for official vehicles of the President of India, Vice President of India, State Governors, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories and other high-ranking government officials. These vehicles have the Emblem of India in the centre of the number plate instead of the license number.
8. Plate with Upward Pointing Arrow A number plate with an upward pointing arrow is used by military vehicles in India. The number plate of such vehicles has a broad arrow as a prefix to the registration number, which starts with a 2-digit number denoting the year the vehicle was manufactured.

Components of a Vehicle Number Plate

Take a look at the components and format of a vehicle number plate below:

In the above picture, MH.1AA.2345, the first component is the state code MH (Maharashtra), 1A is the RTO (district code), and the A2345 is the unique alphanumeric unique code that gives identity to the vehicle.

Part 1: State Code

The first part of the number plate denotes the state or UT (Union Territory) from which the vehicle belongs and is denoted by the 2 most significant alphabets of the state's or UT's name.

For the number- MH.1AA.2345, MH refers to the state of Maharashtra, denoting that the vehicle is from that state. Similarly, for Delhi, it will be 'DL', and for Telangana, it will be 'TS'.

Part 2: RTO Number

The second part refers to the district's sequential number under which the vehicle is registered. Each district has its own RTO (Regional Transport Office), which handles the registration of all new vehicles in that particular location.

In the above example, 1A is the district sequential number of the RTO where the vehicle has been registered.

Part 3: Alphanumeric Code

The third part of the number plate denotes a unique alphanumeric set that gives an identity to the vehicle. So, as per the above example, A2345 is the unique alphanumeric code used to identify the vehicle.

Also, the RTO allows you to get this alphanumeric number as you desire but charges a premium price for the purchase.

Another significant element of a number plate is the IND logo (which is an acronym for India). It is the final part of the number plate, consisting of an oval logo with a chromium hologram on top of it denoting the 'Ashoka Chakra'. All motor vehicles in India must have this number plate to drive them legally.

Font Variations in Vehicle Number Plate

Fonts used in the vehicle number plate should be clear and easily read or recognized from a distance. If the fonts on the number plate are unreadable, it can lead to the vehicle owner being in trouble with the traffic police. According to the new rules for vehicle number plates in India, every vehicle should have an HSRP number plate instead of using fancy fonts, stickers, regional language, or any type of art.

In some states of India, the first digit of the district code is replaced with a letter on the vehicle number plate. For instance, the number '1' in the district code of the above example can be replaced by the letter 'S' in the case of bikes. These letters represent the category of the vehicle to which they belong. Here are the letters used for different vehicles categories in India-

• S refers to two-wheelers
• C refers to cars & SUVs
• E refers to EVs (Electric Vehicles)
• R refers to three-wheeler rickshaws
• P refers to passenger vehicles (buses)
• T refers to tourist-licensed vehicles
• Y refers to vehicles for rent/hire
• V refers to vans and pickup trucks

What is a BH Number Plate?

A BH number plate is for a Bharat Series registration number. A Bharat Series number allows you to transfer your private vehicle to another state for usage without the need to re-register it with an RTO of the new state. The Bharat series registration number is beneficial for people with transferable jobs as it facilitates the easy transfer of vehicles between states.

The registration number for a Bharat (BH) number plate starts with a 2-digit number denoting the year of registration, followed by BH, a unique alphanumeric code and ends with letters representing the vehicle category.

What is an HSRP Number Plate?

An HSRP number plate stands for High Security Registration Plate that is tamper-proof and prevents counterfeiting. It contains India's international code (IND) and a unique laser-etched code below an Ashoka Chakra hologram before the vehicle registration number begins. The HSRP number plate enhances security, preventing theft and unauthorized duplication.

How to Get a Temporary Number Plate?

A temporary number plate has a temporary registration number that gives identity to a brand-new vehicle until a permanent registration number is issued by their respective RTO. The automobile dealer issues this number using a TR sticker, in which TR means 'To Register'. As per the law, the validity of this number plate is one month, and within this period, the owner has to visit the district's RTO to register the vehicle and get a permanent registration number.

To register your motor vehicle, you must have a valid Driving License (DL), Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC), third-party bike insurance, sales invoice of the vehicle, roadworthiness certificate, etc. In this process, the surveyor verifies the engine and chassis number of the vehicle. Once verified, the RTO will issue you the temporary registration number and plate.

You May Also Read: Can You Raise Claim Under Bike Insurance With a Temporary Registration Number?

Rules for Vehicle Number Plates in India

Take a look at some of the rules for vehicle number plates in India:

• All vehicles running on Indian roads should have a valid number plate.
• Driving a brand-new vehicle with a printed paper displaying the temporary registration number is illegal.
• No pictures or fancy fonts should be used on the number plate.