The Bharat Series number plate, or BH series, is a special type of vehicle registration that allows vehicle owners to move freely between states without the hassle of re-registering their vehicles in each new state. This is very useful for those people who have transferable jobs, like government or private sector employees.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced the BH series and implemented on 15 September 2021 to standardize vehicle registration across India and to ease vehicle transfers for employees of government, PSUs, and private companies with offices in multiple states. This system eliminates the need for NOCs, new registration marks, and tax refunds during relocations. BH Series vehicles require taxes every two years, with a 25% higher rate, promoting smooth transfers and reducing RTO burdens.
The BH series registration number comprises the Year of Registration (YY), followed by BH (representing Bharat series), a four-digit registration number, and XX, indicating the vehicle category.
The format follows 'YYBH####XX', with YY representing the registration year, BH signifying the Bharat series, #### representing the unique four-digit code, and XX representing any random alphabet assigned to the vehicle from A to Z (except I and O). For example, a plate-like 25BH indicates that the vehicle was registered in 2025.
Parameter | Highlight |
Concerned Authority | Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) |
Legal Framework | Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 |
Date of Introduction | Announced on 26th August 2021, implemented from 15th September 2021 |
Applicability | Valid across all states and union territories in India |
Registration Mode | Online via Vahan Portal or authorised dealers |
Eligible Applicants | Govt. staff, Defence, PSU/Bank employees, and private employees with offices in 4+ states/UTs |
Number Plate Format | YYBH####XX (Year + Bharat Series + 4-digit number + Alphabet code) |
When applying for the Bharat series number plate, applicants must adhere to the following eligibility criteria:
Those who are eligible for the BH number series are:
The government of India introduced the BH number plate, and the features of these number plates are mentioned below:
In order to get the Bharat Number Plate, you need to follow the steps given below:
Once you complete all the steps, your BH series registration number will be generated.
The list of documents that the applicant needs to submit to apply for BH plates are mentioned below:
For vehicles with BH series number plates, road tax is valid for the first 14 years. Thereafter, it is mandatory to pay road tax annually except for private vehicles where road tax is levied every two years or multiples of two years.
Invoice price of the car | Road tax or motor vehicle tax (MV tax) |
less than Rs.10 lakh | 8% of invoice price (2% extra for vehicles which run on diesel) |
Rs.10 lakh - Rs.20 lakh | 10% of the invoice price (2% less for electric vehicles) |
more than Rs.20 lakh | 12% of the invoice price (2% less for electric vehicles) |
Note: It is essential to highlight that diesel vehicles incur an extra 2% charge, while electric vehicles enjoy a 2% deduction. Private vehicle owners make road tax payments every two years or in intervals of four, six, or eight years (multiples of two).
Check out the table below to understand the benefits and drawbacks of possessing a BH series number plate.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Provides nationwide vehicle ownership with the BH number plate. | The BH number plate is not applicable for commercial vehicles, and it also has strict eligibility criteria. |
Reduces the recurring expense of transferring vehicle registration. | The initial cost is relatively higher. |
Decreases the road tax burden. | Periodic submission of road tax can be time-consuming. |
You can follow the steps given below to pay road tax for your BH registered vehicle online:
The registration for the BH series commenced on 15 September 2021.
You must be an Indian citizen working for the central or state government, banks, defence, administrative services, etc. Only employees working for private companies with offices in four or more states/UTs are eligible for BH series number plates.
You can use your non-transport vehicle for a maximum of 12 months after relocation to a different state. You need to re-register 12 months before to avoid penalty.
The BH series number plate helps save time, effort and paperwork every time you relocate. It is an initiative taken by the MoRTH to make the transition process smooth and convenient for individuals who have to constantly relocate to different states.
Twenty-four states have non-transport vehicles registered as Bharat Series (BH-series).
The price of the BH series number plate varies from vehicle to vehicle. It is based on the vehicle's invoice.
Yes, you can get a BH series number plate for your two-wheeler.
No, you cannot drive your BH series registered vehicle in restricted areas.
Yes, you can determine the year of vehicle registration from BH number plate format. The first two digits of BH number denote the year of registration.
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