What is the BH number plate?

Relocating to a different city but worried about re-registration of your vehicle? With a BH Number Plate, you can move freely across any region in India without worrying about re-registration hassles. Learn how to apply for a Bharat Series number plate in our handy guide.

Yaajyaansh Bhardwaj

Last updated 5 days ago

 

 

 

In India, people often move across different states and cities and this usually involves the hassle of re-registering your vehicle in the new location. In recent times however, the government has introduced the Bharat Series number plates to streamline this process in an efficient manner. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, a passenger vehicle can be driven for a maximum of 12 months without transferring the registration to the new state. Once completed, the owner will be expected to abide by the rules exerted by the new state or will eventually face hefty fines and penalties. Here, we shall take a look at some benefits and features of BH number plates, the eligibility criteria for obtaining them, the application process and a whole lot more.

What is the BH number plate?

The full form of the BH number plate stands for Bharat Number Plate. It was officially launched by the Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways (MoRTH). One of the primary purposes behind the launch of this number plate is to simplify and streamline the vehicle registration process for individuals who tend to keep relocating for work commitments. It eliminates the requirement of transferring vehicle registration when relocating between states. The registration process for the BH series commenced on 15th September 2021. The BH number plate effectively allows working professionals to travel across the country seamlessly without undergoing the hassles of re-registrations.

For example, if your vehicle is registered in Maharashtra with an MH number plate and you move to another state, you will be allowed to drive with the MH number plate for a period of 12 months. Afterwards, registration in the new state will become mandatory. However, with the introduction of the BH Series registration number, this step becomes unnecessary. It is even convenient in terms of insurance, as your car insurance remains unaffected.

Features of Bharat Series Number Plate

The BH Series number plates come with several features as mentioned below:

• The BH Series is applicable only for non-transport vehicles.
• For BH series registration, one can avoid the vehicle’s re-registering process once they shift to a new state.
• It saves time, effort and paperwork.
• The BH series number plate is valid throughout the country.
• This number plate closely resembles the usual license plate with a white background and black fonts, except the format of the license number is quite different.
• The BH Series number is designed to provide essential details about the vehicle’s registration in a clear and concise manner. The BH series registration number consists of the Year of Registration as in YY, followed by BH as in code for Bharat series, the 4-digit BH series registration number and XX, which stands for two alphabets (excluding I & O) indicating the vehicle category. For example, YY BH **** XX.
• The “****” is a unique 4-digit registration number assigned to each vehicle, ensuring that each vehicle has its own distinct identifier. Lastly, “XX” just represents a random alphabet chosen from A to Z, helping to categorize the vehicle, providing additional information about its type and class.
• The road tax for the BH series vehicles can be paid online which will remain applicable for 14 years once paid. Post that, an annual payment is compulsory.
• The percentage of road tax to be paid based on the invoice of the car is convenient as well. It evaluates to 8% for cars below Rs.10 lakh, 10% for cars between Rs.10 to Rs. 20 lakhs and 12% for cars costing above Rs. 20 lakh.

How to Apply for BH Number Plate

• First, State Authorities will verify and check the eligibility of the vehicle owner.
• Next, the owner can log into the MoRTH’s Vahan portal or seek any automobile dealer’s help while purchasing the vehicle.
• In case one seeks help from the automobile dealer, then the dealer has to fill Form 20 on the Vahan portal on behalf of the actual owner.
• Employees working in the private sector who have offices in more than 4 states or UTs must fill out Form 60 and submit an employment ID with a work certificate whereas a copy of an official ID card is to be submitted by the government employees.

Steps to be followed while applying for BH series license plate:

• Step 1 : While purchasing the new vehicle, the automobile dealer will fill out Form 20 on behalf of the car owner on Vahan portal.
• Step 2 : Selection of series type – Select BH series as the series type.
• Step 3 : Submit the required documents like the Working Certificate (Form 60)/copy of Official ID Card along with other documents.
• Step 4 : Approval for the BH series is to be given by the RTO.
• Step 5: Pay the required fee/MV tax online.
• Step 6 : Once the above steps are done, the Vahan portal will generate BH series registration numbers in random order currently running in all states of India.

Bharat Number Plate – Tax Structure

For private vehicles registered under the BH series license plate, the road tax for the vehicle will be charged for 2 years or in multiples of two, i.e, for four, six and eight. The road tax for the BH series can be paid online and will be applicable for 14 years. After that, an annual payment will be compulsory.

Invoice Price	Percentage of Invoice Price	Remark
If the car costs less than Rs. 10 Lakhs	8% Road Tax based on the Invoice Price	2% extra charge for Diesel vehicles
If the car costs between Rs. 10 Lakhs to Rs. 20 Lakhs	10% Road Tax based on the Invoice price	2% less charge for Electric vehicles
If the car costs above Rs. 20 lakhs	12% Road Tax based on the Invoice price	2% less charge for Electric vehicles

Please note that an additional 2% charge will be imposed on diesel vehicles, while a reduction of 2% tax will be offered on electric vehicles. 

Bharat Series Number Plates Summary

This article provides a clear insight regarding the Bharat Series Number plates that got introduced by the MoRTH (Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways) in India in August 2021 to put an end to the hassle of re-registering vehicles after moving from one state to another, especially for the State and Central government employees.

By introducing the BH number plate, the Government of India has ensured that it simplifies the intricate process of vehicle registration. The BH series number plate comes with manifold benefits, from a simplified vehicle registration process and nationwide validity to cost savings. With the implementation of this facility, the expenses are eliminated and it increases the convenience. Vehicle owners can now enjoy benefits, such as standardization, ease of identification, and unification of the process. The BH series number plate is a step towards creating a streamlined and modernized vehicle registration and licensing system in India.

FAQ about BH Series number plates

What is the eligibility criteria for getting a BH series number plate?

In order to be eligible for a BH number plate, one should be a citizen of India. The vehicle owner should either be a State or Central Government employee, or if working in a private firm, then his/her company should have their offices in more than 4 states or UTs.

How will the BH series number plate benefit us?

Although the BH series number plate is not applicable to everyone, the ones who can benefit from it will no longer have to re-register their vehicle every time they relocate from one state to other in India as the BH series number plate will be valid throughout the country. The process of inter-state transfer of the vehicle will be smooth.

When did the registration of the BH Series number plate or registration number begin?

The registration for the BH series number plate was initiated by MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) from 15th September 2021 and the first vehicle with BH series number plate was issued from Maharashtra on October 27th 2021.

Is the BH number plate costly?

The cost of the BH series number plate depends on the vehicle and has three price points –
For vehicles costing below 10 lakhs, the applicant pays 8% of the total automobile cost.
Vehicles priced between 10-20 lakhs need to pay 10% of the vehicle price.
Lastly, vehicles costing above 20 lakhs will have to pay 12% of the total cost of the vehicle.

Is the BH series number plate only for government employees?

The BH Series number plate is for people with transferable jobs as in the employees of central and state government departments, PSUs departments, defense personnel and employees of private sector companies that have offices in at least 4 states or UTs.

Is Bharat number plate available for two-wheelers?

A BH series number plate is available for all non-transport cars, but is not applicable to every Indian citizen as it is only available to the employees of states and central government, PSUs employees, and employees of the private sector who have offices in at least 4 states or UTs.

Why do you need a BH number plate?

The BH series number plate was first introduced by the government to make the re-registration of the vehicles a hassle-free process for the citizens who have transferable jobs on a regular basis. But now, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have extended the eligibility criteria and included new car buyers as well who might be transferred to another state for their jobs or are likely to be transferred in the future.