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Vehicle registration plates of India
All motorised vehicles plying on public roads in India are tagged with a unique registration or licence number. The vehicle registration plate (known colloquially as number plate) is issued by a Regional Transport Office (RTO), the district-level authority on vehicular matters in the respective state or Union Territory. The number plates are mandatory on both front and rear of the vehicle and are required to be in modern Hindu-Arabic numerals with latin letters.[1] Complete specification of registration plates are specified under the HSRP: High Security Registration Plate rules. The international vehicle registration code for India is IND. Colour codingRegistration plates are specified in multiple combinations of text colour and background colour to distinctively identify different categories of vehicles.[2] Following combinations have been specified:
For colour coding no longer in use, refer section Historical Colour Coding. Permanent registration formatPrivate and commercial vehicles The current format for the registration of private and commercial came into force on 1 July 1989 as part of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The format consists of four parts:
The advantage with this format is that the state and district of a particular vehicle is immediately identifiable. This can be useful in e.g. a police investigation as witnesses usually remember the initial few characters. Vintage series (VA) and Bharat series (BH) registration have their own unique format. For formats prior to 1 July 1989, refer section Historical Registration Formats. VA (Vintage) series On 15 July 2021, the Ministry of Road Transport issued a notification[4] regarding a special registration process for vintage vehicles. It was introduced to provide exemption from various pollution and scrappage norms and thus, facilitate promotion of heritage of vintage vehicles. A vehicle is eligible for this registration process if it fulfils following criteria:
Vintage series registration however restricts free usage of the vehicle. Vehicle may only be used for specific purposes on public roads (e.g. vintage car rally) and not for generic private or commercial use. VA-series registration has a unique format:
Characters are representative of following:
BH (Bharat) series On 26 August 2021, the Ministry of Road Transport issued a notification[5] regarding a unified pan-India registration of private vehicles. This special registration process was introduced to ease inter-state mobility by eliminating the hassles of re-registering a vehicle when its owner relocates to a new state or Union Territory. BH-series registration can be issued to public sector employees of central and state governments, and also to private sector employees of firms with offices in four or more states or union territories.[6] BH-series registration follows a unique format:
Characters are representative of following:
Vehicles of Indian Armed Forces Registration of vehicles belonging to Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) is administered by armed forces themselves. Following registration format is used:
Characters are representative of following:
Vehicles of diplomatic missions Registration of vehicles belonging to a diplomatic mission is carried out by Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Following registration format is used:
Characters are representative of following:
Vehicles belonging to diplomatic missions are granted the level of diplomatic immunity or consular immunity corresponding to whom the vehicle has been attributed to by the Ministry of External Affairs. Immunity is void if a UN, CD or CC vehicle is driven in absence of an accredited member of the diplomatic or consular corps. Unique numbers allocated to different diplomatic missions for the CD and CC registrations: Format for private and commercial vehiclesHere is a detailed overview of the format for permanent registration of private and commercial vehicles. Part 1: Two-letter state code All Indian states and Union Territories have a designated two-letter code. This code referencing came into force on 1 July 1989 as part of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Before that, each district or RTO had three-letter code(s) at their disposal which did not clearly identify the state. This led to a fair degree of confusion — for example, MMC 0123 could fit in anywhere in the country. To avoid this ambiguity, a unique state code was included in format. A specific state or union territory maybe chosen to register a vehicle due to differences in the amount of taxes involved in registration process. One such example is of Puducherry, where many luxury cars have been known to be registered by residents of other states, sometimes fraudulently, leading to crackdowns by those states.[7] Current codesTwo-letter codes currently in use for different states and union territories are as follows:
Former codesCodes no longer in use for new registrations but still the valid code for already registered vehicles:
Part 2: RTO numberAs all states have at least two districts, the district's RTO is the authority for registering vehicles. A vehicle can be registered in a particular district if the owner has a registered residence or business entity in that district. Each RTO is allotted unique two digit number(s) and vehicles registered with a specific RTO have the corresponding RTO number as part of their registration number. Thus, in most cases, district of registration can be uniquely identified from the registration number. Andhra Pradesh follows a separate format and a common district number (AP 40 as of 2023) is used across all districts/RTOs in the state. Due to heavy volume of vehicle registration in highly populated districts, multiple RTOs may operate within that district, with each RTO being allotted a unique number. As an example, Bengaluru uses 11 RTOs in different parts of district, each with distinct numbers: KA 01, KA 02, KA 03, KA 04, KA 05, KA 41, KA 50, KA 51, KA 53, KA 57 and KA 59. In such cases, each number corresponds to a specific region within a single district. In some cases, a number is reserved for certain category of vehicles, and a single RTO thus uses multiple numbers. As an example, Rohtak RTO (in Haryana) uses number HR 12 for private vehicles and HR 46 for commercial vehicles, thus both '12' and '46' correspond to Rohtak district. In some states/UTs, numbers can be reserved for even more specific categories, for example in Meghalaya, ML 01 is reserved for government vehicles, ML 02 for police department and ML 03 for state transport department. In such cases, RTO number no longer corresponds to a specific district. Union territory and capital, Delhi has the exception of not using leading zero in the RTO numbers, and vehicle registration number can therefore start as ‘DL 1’ (instead of ‘DL 01’). Overview of special usage of numbers in states/UTs:
Part 3: Single or multiple lettersThe default use of letter(s) is as registration series of an RTO i.e. when initial 9999 registrations have been done and all unique 4-digit numbers used up, a prefix A is added and the number sequence reset to 1. Thus, letter(s) can indirectly indicate the number of registered vehicles (in some cases, also indicate vehicle class). In Tamil Nadu, the letter G is reserved for Government (both the Union Government of India and State Governments) vehicles and the letter N is reserved for State Transport Buses, while A to F, H to M and P to Z are for passenger vehicles of all kinds, including commercial vehicles. For e.g. TN 60 AG 3333 could be a government vehicle registered in Theni, whereas a TN 58 N 4006 could be a government Bus registered in Madurai District. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the letter Z is reserved for the State Road Transport (APSRTC) and TSRTC buses (AP**Z, TS**Z, and so on). The letter P is reserved for the states' police vehicles. The letters T, U, V, W, X, and Y are reserved for commercial ones, continuing as TA, TB..., UA, UB... and so on, whereas the rest of the letters are reserved for private passenger vehicles of all kinds. In Assam, the letter C is used to register commercial vehicles, continuing as AC, BC, etc. In Jammu and Kashmir, the letter Y is used for all government buses. Other letters and their combinations are used to register all kinds of private and commercial vehicles. In Bihar, all RTOs assign the letter P to passenger vehicles (Commercial vehicles and private MUVs/SUVs) and G for goods vehicles. For example, BR 01 PC 2433' is a BSRTC bus in Patna. However, all registrations are common for private vehicles. In Maharashtra, the two letters in each RTO is classified for a different kind of vehicle, e.g. MH 14 BT is assigned for MSRTC buses built in the bus building facility Pimpri, MH 02 CR is for commercial vehicles in Mumbai, MH 10 CJ is for two wheelers in Sangli, MH 04 GM is for cars in Thane, MH 12 JK is for special purpose vehicles in Pune and MH 47 D is for autorickshaws in North Mumbai. In Karnataka, blank, A, B, C, D is used for commercial vehicles; T for tractors and trailers; E, H, J, K, L, Q, R, S, U, V, W, X, Y for two-wheelers; M, N, P, Z for private passenger vehicles. G is used for Government Vehicles (including police vehicles and ambulances), and F is used for KSRTC/NWKRTC/NEKRTC/BMTC buses and smaller vehicles owned by the corporation, like flying squad MUVs. Additional letters are added as each series is exhausted, e.g., M, MA, F, FA, etc. In Goa, the letter X is reserved for the State Road Transport (Kadamba Transport Corporation) buses (e.g. GA 03 X 0109). The letters T, U, V, W, Y, Z are reserved for commercial vehicles, whereas the letter G is reserved for government vehicles. Again, the two letter in each RTO is classified for a different kind of vehicle, e.g. GA 07 C is for cars in Panaji and GA 03 AB is for two wheelers in Mapusa. In Uttar Pradesh, districts use G for government vehicles and any letter for commercial. Currently most districts use T, AT, BT, etc.; some use N, AN, BN, etc., and a few use B, H, etc. In Uttarakhand, the letter C is reserved for goods vehicles, T for Taxis, P for public transport vehicles and G for government vehicles and A, B, D to O, Q to S, and U to Z for private passenger vehicles of all kinds, with an additional letter added later such as TA, CA, GA, PA and so on. Sikkim issues the letter P as prefix for all types of private vehicles and T for taxis, J for commercial jeeps, B for buses, and Z, D for other commercial vehicles. For state transport buses, the SK 04 XXXX series of Jorethang was used and have now gone back to register them under B series. In Gujarat, government vehicles have number plate with letter G and GJ, which is reserved for government firm vehicles. (e.g. : GJ 18 G 5123 and GJ 18 GJ 6521). All other letters except G are used by passenger vehicles. The letters T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z are reserved for commercial vehicles and goes on in the series AT, AU, ..., BT, BU, ..., and so on. Also, the number series GJ 18 Y is reserved for the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses. GJ 18 V was used earlier. After the completion of this series GJ 18 Y was used. Currently, GJ 18 Z is in use. All other letters used for passengers. Also a letter is prefixed for usage in all classes of vehicles, e.g. GJ 01 J to JS are for two wheelers in Ahmedabad, and GJ 01 R to RZ are reserved for private four wheelers in Ahmedabad. However, after the exhaustion of private series in Ahmedabad, vehicles are being registered with the T to Z suffix pattern to meet the demand. In Delhi, the following letters are used for registration- A for ambulances, B for mini buses, C for cars, F for numbers on demand for private vehicles, G for trucks, K for school vehicles, L for trucks, N for self-drive vehicles, P is for buses, Q for commercial three-wheelers, R for autorickshaws and radio taxis, S for two-wheelers, T for city taxis, Y for private taxis, V, W, E, U, M, Z for other commercial vehicles. DL 1 at Mall Road registers only A, E, G, K, L, M, P, Q, R, T, U, V, W, Y and Z. In Chandigarh, the following letters are used for registration: T is for trucks, and G is for government vehicles. In Rajasthan, the following letters are used for registration: M, S, B for two wheelers, C for cars, P for buses, G for trucks, T for taxis and tourist passenger vehicles. Earlier, numbers between 1 and 50 were used, e.g. RJ 14 2M and RJ 14 6C were used for vehicles but now this system has been stopped. Part 4: Unique number between 1 and 9999The last four numbers are unique to the vehicle. Usually, the lower 100 numbers are government registered numbers, but it may not always be the case. Special "lucky" numbers (also called fancy numbers) such as 3333, 0001 or 6666 fetch a premium and may touch above ₹1,000,000. Prior to 2005, Karnataka used to charge ₹1000 for obtaining a unique last four digit number. These numbers used to be issued either from the current running series or from one or two future series. When the numbering system was computerized, numbers could be issued from any future series. However the Karnataka RTO steeply hiked these charges to ₹6,000 if the number to be obtained is in the current series, and ₹25,000 if it was to be issued from a future series. It was increased again in 2010 from ₹6,000 to ₹20,000, and from ₹25,000 to ₹75,000.[18] As of 2007, Maharashtra has increased the price of unique numbers to the range of ₹25,000 to ₹1,25,000. In 2012, Maharashtra increased the price from ₹1,25,000 to ₹2,00,000. In Uttarakhand, number 0001 and 0786 has the highest charge of ₹50,000. In Gujarat, RTO is charging ₹500 for 2-wheeler vehicles and ₹1,000 for 4-wheeler vehicles for chosen number plate, but the chosen number plate not be unique, Ex 4521, 6523, etc. For VIP number 1 (4-wheeler vehicle), RTO distribute an application form to bid for unique number plate which will be attached with amount of money. The highest payer of the amount will get the unique number like 1. Sometimes it takes ₹2,00,000 to ₹5,00,000 (maximum) for this type of number. Currently, Gujarat RTO has revised the amount for chosen number (not unique numbers like single, double digit), which is ₹1000 for 2-wheeler vehicles and ₹5000 for 4-wheeler vehicles. In Andhra Pradesh the RTO Follows the Auction system for unique numbers. The highest bidder gets the number. Numbers like 0909 0999 0099 0009 are in high demand always and have a high premium and maximum bidders for the auction. Non-permanent registration formatTemporary registration formatAfter a new vehicle is purchased and while the permanent registration number is pending, a temporary registration number is issued by RTO of the district from where the vehicle was purchased.  On 31 March 2021, the Ministry of Road Transport issued a notification[19] regarding amendment to Motor Vehicles Act. Rule 53C in the amendment introduced a homogenised alphanumeric format for temporary registration:
Characters are representative of following:
Example: T1123LA0123A for a vehicle purchased in Ladakh in November 2023 Temporary registration has a validity of up to six months, states however may use a stricter validity time. During this period owner must obtain a permanent registration from the RTO of their choosing. Some states may only allow limited use of vehicles with temporary registration. To register a vehicle, it may need to be presented to the RTO, where a Motor Vehicle Inspector will verify the applicant's address and other details, confirm that the engine and chassis numbers are identical to what is written in the application and issues a permanent registration certificate which is usually valid for 20 years. Trade registration formatGovernment issues trade certificate to businesses which deal with unregistered vehicles and therefore, need to be exempted from the legal requirement of plying vehicles on road with a (permanent or temporary) registration number. Business or agency which may use trade certificate can be a vehicle manufacturer, dealer, vehicle testing agency or a vehicle importer. Registration authority allots a group of trade registration numbers to the holder of a trade certificate. Trade number is not assigned to a specific vehicle directly by the registration authority (like permanent or temporary number), the holder of trade certificate instead assigns a number to a vehicle themselves from their available allotment. Trade number can only be used on vehicles of category for which it has been issued and should not be assigned to more than one vehicle at once. Trade registration number can be valid for up to five years.  On 14 September 2022, the Ministry of Road Transport issued a notification[20] regarding amendments to trade certificate and trade registration number. A homogenised alphanumeric format for trade registration number was also introduced:
Characters are representative of following:
Example: LA01C0001TC0001 for a light motor vehicle (e.g. car) registered for trade in Kargil in Ladakh. For old format, refer section Pre-2022 Trade Registration. HSRP: High security registration plateOn 1 June 2005, the Government of India had amended rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, mandating introduction of new tamper proof High Security Registration (HSRP) number plates.[21][22] All new motorised road vehicles that came into the market after that needed to adhere to the new plates, while existing vehicles had been given two years to comply. Features incorporated include the number plate having a patented chromium hologram,[21] a laser numbering containing the alpha-numeric identification of both the testing agency and manufacturers and a retro-reflective film bearing a verification inscription "India" at a 45-degree inclination. The characters are embossed on the plate for better visibility. The letters "IND" were printed in a light shade of blue on the observers left side under the hologram.[21] However it has yet to be implemented since the various state Governments has not yet appointed an official source for manufacture of these plates,[23] due to disputes which are currently in various Indian courts.[22][23] On 8 April 2011 the Supreme Court of India summoned the transport secretaries of Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh for contempt of court proceedings regarding nonenforcement of the high-security registration plates.[24] The Supreme Court on 30 November 2004, had clarified that all states had to comply with the scheme.[24] Currently all of North East including Assam, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andaman & Nicobar Islands (UT) and Goa are the only states which have complied in full. The states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra have not proceeded after having called tenders.[24] Besides these states some of the other states have also taken action to implement the new scheme.[24] Haryana and Punjab has launched the High Security Registration Plates Scheme in the state. High Security Registration Plates have been made mandatory in for all new and old vehicles.[25] Maharashtra has announced to implement new number plates and deadline set in 31st March 2025.[26] Historical registration platesHistorical colour codingFollowing colour coding have been discontinued for different reasons:
In case of changes in 2002, due to large number of vehicles and therefore slow enforcement, old colour coding was in use well after the official discontinuation date. Historical registration formatsPre-1940 Before the introduction of Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 (enforced during 1940), a nationwide format did not exist. Initial vehicle registration format in country was simply a number of up to five digits. Gradually, a prefix of single or two letter(s) was introduced which was representative of province/city, and was followed by a number of (up to) four digits, e.g. K 1234[29] or FP 1234. There were some exceptions as few places had already started to use three-letter prefix codes before 1940. From 1940 till independence After the introduction of Motor Vehicles Act (1939), many three-letter codes were introduced and this format gradually became the most common.
Characters are representative of following:
In the case of Central Provinces, three-letter codes used for vehicle registration were:
Format of using single letter prefix was also phased out. Post-independenceBy 1947 i.e. India's independence, format of using three-letter codes was almost standard throughout the country, with the exception of the colonies which were not yet incorporated into India. Certain states/UTs in India also remained exceptions as they continued to use two-letter codes for some more years: Chandigarh (CH), Pondicherry (PY), Andaman & Nicobar islands (AN) and Jammu & Kashmir (JK). Other colonies in IndiaColonies in India (other than British) had different registration formats until they were incorporated into independent India.
Princely states Princely states had a different registration format compared to rest of the country until they acceded to independent India. Colour scheme used was white text on red background and the format was state's name followed by a number.
'X' represents the name of state. Example: MYSORE 1, JODHPUR 5 Top constitutional authorities It used to be a general practice for offices of top constitutional authorities in India (i.e. President, Vice-president, Governors and lieutenant governors and the protocol division of the Ministry of External Affairs) to not register their official vehicles. Instead of registration plates, an embossed Emblem of India was used (sometimes in combination with a red plate). In 2018, above offices were instructed to get all their official vehicles registered as per applicable laws.[31][32] Pre-2022 trade registration Before the introduction of 2022 notification,[20] the defined format for trade registration was more generic and only specified following:
Trade numbers with old format can continue to be used as per validity period. See alsoReferences
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to License plates of India.
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