Your car’s plate number isn’t just some random numbers put together, it’s your car’s unique identity or we can say the number plate is the Adhar card of your vehicle. But in India, these identities tie your car to the state they were registered in. And anybody who has relocated knows what a hassle it can be for you to re-register, which is time time-consuming and mind-numbing task.
Comes BH Number Plate scheme launched in 2021. It was introduced to simplify the life of people. You ask how? Re-registering vehicles with each relocation – Gone.
In this blog we will answer the following questions:
- What is BH Number Plate?
- Features of BH Number Plate
- Advantages of BH Registration
- Disadvantages of BH Registration
- Who can get BH Number Plate?
- Cost of BH series Number Plate
- Format of BH Number Plate
- How can you apply?
- Document Required for Registration
What is BH Number Plate?
BH Number Plate stands for Bharat Number Plate. BH Number Plate was introduced, as a unified number plate series with validity all over India. This ensures smooth mobility and transfers all over India by removing the problem of re-registration every time you move to a different state. Before the launch of BH Number Plate in 2021, Vehicle owners must re-register their cars within 12 months of moving to the new state. If not done, you will be fined.
BH Number plate not only ensures smooth mobility and transfers, but it also provides safety from thieves as well
Key Highlights of BH Number Plates
| Parameters | Highlight |
| Concerned Authority | Ministry of Road and Transport Highways |
| Concerned Act | Motor Vehicle Act |
| Date of Incubation | 28th August 2021 |
| Applicable in | India |
Features of BH Number Plate
- Secure and Tamper Proof – The BH number plate provides high security and is tamper-proof. It includes a Hologram, laser number, and barcode unique to every number plate.
- Valid across country – BH number plate is valid across the whole country, it completely removes the hassle of re-registration. In addition, you can pay road tax online from anywhere around the country.
- Applicable to non-transport vehicles – For the time being BH Number plate is applicable to non-transport vehicles, so you don’t have to worry about the hassle of re-registering after each move.
- Unique design with a unique format – BH number plate maintains a standard format in their number plates which is mainly divided into four parts, about which we will understand later on.
Advantages of BH Registration.
1. Safety of Vehicle – The BH number plate provides high security and is tamper-proof. It includes a Hologram, laser number, and barcode unique to every number plate.
2. Hassle-free registration – The BH number plate, allows you a smooth, hassle-free registration process. If you are someone who relocates a lot, then you know how mind-numbing the process of re-registering can be, so to make things simpler BH number plate was introduced.
3. Nationwide Validity – BH number plate is valid across the whole country, it completely removes the hassle of re-registration. In addition, you can pay road tax online from anywhere around the country.
4. Cost Saving – Re-registration involves applicable tax and charges for additional documentation charges. Thus, eliminating the need for re-registration by obtaining BH number plate series can help reduce avoidable expenses.
Disadvantages of BH Registration.
1. Limited Eligibility – One of the biggest disadvantages of BH registration plate is the limited eligibility. As we discussed already, BH number plate is only available to non-commercial vehicles.
2. Randomly generated number – The third unit of the BH series number plate, the four-digit number, is system-generated and random. This means owners cannot choose a specific number for their vehicles like special number plates.
3. Periodic road tax payment – Road Tax payment of BH number plate series must be submitted every two years. This proves as an additional difficulty to manage for some individuals.
4. Exclusion of Transport Vehicle – Transport Vehicles are not eligible for BH number plates yet. Transport vehicles like buses, taxis, and trucks are not eligible for the BH series. This limits the scope of the convenience provided by BH number plates.
Who can get BH Number Plate?
The BH Number Plate is currently available to non-commercial vehicles only, with nationality to Indian citizens. In order to be qualified for BH Number Plate you must belong to one of the sectors mentioned below:
- State and Central Government employees
- Bank employees
- Serving in the Defence sector
- Administrative service employees
- Private sector employees who have offices in 4 or more states or union territories.
- Cost of BH series Number Plate
The BH series Number Plate registration cost is different from that of an ordinary number plate. Let’s see the cost of registration of BH series Number Plate.
| Details | |
| Road Tax Duration for BH Series Vehicles |
|
| BH Series Number Plate Cost Breakdown | |
| Vehicle cost less than ₹10 lakh | 8% |
| Vehicle cost ₹10-₹20 lakh | 10% |
| Vehicles cost more than ₹20 lakh | 12% |
| Additional Considerations | |
| 2% surcharge for diesel vehicles | |
| 2% reduction for electric vehicles | |
Format of BH Number Plate.
The format of the BH series number plate is quite straightforward and comprises mainly four parts: “YY BH #### AA”.
- Part 1: “YY” denotes the year of registration
- Part 2: “BH” is short for Bharat series, and uses the first two letters of the word “Bharat”
- Part 3: “####” is a randomly created unique 4-digit number
- Part 4: “AA” is a combination of a random pair of letters from A to Z, which is assigned to your vehicle
How can you apply?
Online Application
1. Visit the online portal: Visit the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
2. Vehicle registration: Click “Vehicle Registration” on the homepage and select “Bharat Series”
3. Enter details: Fill in the information of your vehicle registration
4. Upload documents: Submit eligibility and address proofs (list of documents in the next section of this article)
5. Pay Fees: Complete the registration fee payment
6. Receive acknowledgment: Once registered, you’ll receive an acknowledgment slip with a unique application number
Verification: After your documents are verified, your number plate will be issued
Applying through a dealer
- Dealer assistance: You can seek a dealer’s assistance in filling out Form 20 on the Parivahan website for you
- Select BH Series: Choose the “BH” series during the application process
- Verification: Your eligibility is then verified by the state authorities
- Submit documents: Provide required documents (list of documents in the next section)
- Pay fees: After receiving RTO approval, pay the necessary fee or applicable motor vehicle tax online.
Read this as well – Understanding Driving Signs in India: A Complete Guide for Safe Driving
Documents Required for Registration
- Adhar Card
- PAN Card
- Form 60
- Official ID Card
- GST certificate of the company.
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Bottom Line
In short, BH Number Plates make your life smoother and hassle-free, especially if you are a frequent mover or if you have a job that causes you to move around a lot. They offer you the freedom to travel across India without worrying about of re-registration process and its fees as well.
So if you are the one, who is eligible for BH number plate? What are you waiting for? Save yourself from the hassle and make your life easier.
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FAQs
1. Who is eligible for BH registration?
BH (Bharat) registration is meant for people who get transferred often because of their job. It is available to Central and State Government employees, Defence personnel and employees of private companies that have offices in four or more States or Union Territories. Employees of PSUs, banks and administrative services are also eligible. The vehicle must be for personal use, not for business and valid job and address proof must be uploaded on the VAHAN portal.
2. What is a BH number plate in India?
A BH number plate is a special vehicle registration in India that allows a car to be used across the country without changing the registration when the owner moves to another state for work. It was introduced in 2021 and is only for personal vehicles. It is helpful for people who get transferred often. The number plate has a format like “YY BH #### XX” and road tax is paid in small parts instead of one time.
3. What are the disadvantages of BH registration?
BH registration is not available to everyone. Only certain government and private employees can apply and commercial vehicles are not allowed. Road tax has to be paid every two years, which can be inconvenient. Some dealers and RTO staff may also be unaware of the process, which can cause delays or confusion.
4. Is a BH number plate costly?
A BH number plate is not very costly, but it works differently from normal registration. You pay road tax for two years at a time instead of paying it all at once. At first, it may seem expensive, but it saves money if you move to different states often because you do not need to re-register the vehicle. If you stay in one state, the total cost may be similar or slightly higher than normal registration.
