Understanding Vehicle Number Plate Rules, Codes & Categories
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Every vehicle in India carries a unique number plate, ensuring no two vehicles share the same registration number. These plates are more than just identification tools—they convey crucial information about the vehicle’s category, ownership, and purpose. By understanding the colours, symbols, and formats used on number plates, one can easily identify the type of vehicle and its authorised usage. From private cars to military vehicles, each category follows specific rules and designs.
E – Electric vehicles
P – Passenger buses
R – Auto rickshaws
T – Tourist vehicles
V – Vans and pickups
Y – Vehicles for hire
Understanding these classifications helps in quickly identifying the nature and purpose of any vehicle on the road.
Types Of Vehicle Number Plates
White Number Plates
Vehicles with a white plate and black text are for private, non-commercial use only. They cannot be used for carrying passengers or goods for hire.Yellow Number Plates
Yellow plates with black lettering belong to commercial vehicles such as taxis, trucks, and buses. Drivers of these vehicles require valid permits issued by the registering authority.Blue Number Plates
Blue plates with white text indicate vehicles used by foreign diplomats. Instead of a state code, these plates carry a country code, for example: 134 for Botswana, 77 for the United States, 17 for China, and 11 for Great Britain.Black Number Plates
Black plates with yellow text are used for commercial vehicles owned by private individuals but rented out for use. Drivers of such vehicles do not require a commercial driving permit.Red Plates With Indian Emblem
Special government vehicles may have plates featuring the Indian emblem in green.Military Number Plates
Military vehicles follow a unique system. A broad upward arrow appears as a prefix, and instead of a state code, the plate carries the year of manufacture.Red Temporary Plates
Red plates are temporary and used until permanent registration is completed. They are valid for one month from the date of issue.Green Number Plates
Green plates indicate electric vehicles. These may have white text for private EVs and yellow text for commercial EVs.Components Of A Vehicle Number Plate
- State Code – The first two letters show the state or union territory where the vehicle is registered (e.g., TN for Tamil Nadu).
- District Code – The next two digits identify the registering district within the state.
- Unique Registration Number – This is specific to each vehicle. If all combinations are used, alphabets may replace numbers.
- IND Symbol And Hologram – High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) include an “IND” mark and a chromium hologram resembling the Chakra, introduced in 2005 to prevent vehicle theft.
Temporary And Permanent Registration
When a new vehicle is purchased, it first receives a temporary registration number (TR), valid for 30 days. The permanent number plate, issued after submitting documents like the pollution under control (PUC) certificate, roadworthiness certificate, sales invoice, and proof of address, is valid for 20 years.High Security Registration Plates
HSRPs are mandatory for vehicles registered after 1 April 2019. These aluminium plates carry security features to prevent duplication and tampering.Unique Number Plates And Auctions
Many vehicle owners prefer distinctive numbers for personal or cultural reasons. Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) hold auctions for high-demand registration numbers, with bids sometimes reaching ₹3 lakh. Numbers below 100 are typically reserved for government vehicles.Font Rules For Number Plates
While font variations are permitted, the text must remain legible from a distance. Difficult-to-read designs can lead to penalties. Some states replace the first digit of the district code with a letter indicating the vehicle type, such as:- C – Cars and SUVs
- S – Two-wheelers
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