Types of Number Plates in India
If you’re buying, selling, or even planning a loan for a car, understanding the types of number plates in India is essential. Number plates are not just for identification—they also indicate the vehicle’s category, usage, and sometimes the tax or registration method. In this blog, we’ll explain the main plate colours and formats you’ll see on Indian roads, what they mean for private, commercial, rental, electric, temporary, and special-category vehicles, plus when the BH series applies. By the end, you’ll know exactly which plate your car should wear and how this affects daily use, insurance, and resale—especially helpful if you’re comparing new vs used car purchases.
Key Takeaways
• The types of number plates in India are colour-coded to show the vehicle’s category and use.
• Private cars, commercial vehicles, rentals, EVs, and temporary registrations each have distinct plates.
• BH series offers pan-India mobility for eligible owners, with a unique format and tax method.
• Knowing your plate type helps with compliance, resale clarity, and paperwork.
Table of Contents
1. How Indian Number Plates Work
2. Private vs Commercial Plates
3. Rental, Taxi, and Self-Drive Plates
4. EV Plates: Green for Cleaner Mobility
5. Temporary and Trade/Dealer Plates
6. Special Series: BH Number Plate
7. Other Special/Official Formats
8. Buying Tips: New or Used Car, What to Check
9. FAQs
How Indian Number Plates Work
Before we go into the types of number plates in India, it helps to know the usual structure:
• State/UT code (e.g., MH, DL, KA)
• RTO code (two digits)
• Series (one to three letters)
• Number (up to four digits)
Plates are colour-coded and font-styled to improve visibility for enforcement and safety. For any purchase—especially a used car—make sure the plate’s colour and format match the registration certificate (RC).
Private vs Commercial Plates
Private Vehicles (Personal use)
• Most personal cars carry a white background with black characters.
• This is the most common of all types of number plates in India and applies to non-commercial daily use.
Commercial Vehicles (Goods/Passenger transport)
• Commercial vehicles typically use a yellow background with black characters.
• Taxis and goods carriers fall in this category, signalling that the vehicle is used for hire or business.
Why this matters: Insurance, taxes, and traffic rules differ for private versus commercial usage. If you’re buying used vehicle, confirm the registration type matches the way you intend to use the vehicle.
Rental, Taxi, and Self-Drive Plates
You’ll also encounter black background with yellow characters—commonly seen on rental/self-drive fleets and chauffeur-driven rentals. This format signals commercial availability while distinguishing them from standard taxi plates. If you plan to list your vehicle for hire or self-drive rental, ensure the plate type and permit align with regulations.
EV Plates: Green for Cleaner Mobility
Electric vehicles (EVs) have a distinct identity among the types of number plates in India:
• Private EVs: Green background with white characters.
• Commercial EVs: Green background with yellow characters.
This special colour highlights cleaner mobility and can make it easier to claim EV-related benefits or exemptions wherever offered by local authorities.
Temporary and Trade/Dealer Plate
Temporary Registration (TR)
• Newly purchased vehicles awaiting permanent numbers often carry temporary plates for a short validity period.
• The background/character style is distinct and time-bound; always check the expiry date and convert to permanent registration on time.
Trade/Dealer Plates
• Dealers use trade certificates for test drives and stock movement.
• These are strictly for dealer use; as a buyer, ensure your car moves to a valid private/commercial plate after purchase.
For any pre-owned purchase, verify that the temporary period (if applicable) has not lapsed and that final registration details in the RC match the plate you see.
Special Series: BH Number Plate
The BH (Bharat) series is a newer format designed to support frequent inter-state movement (for example, transferable jobs). It uses a pan-India format and a different tax calculation method over defined periods. If you qualify, the BH number plate can simplify relocation and compliance across states.
When learning the types of number plates in India, the BH series is particularly useful for buyers who expect to move between states. If you want to explore eligibility and the process, read more on bh number plate requirements in our dedicated post (add link later).
Other Special/Official Formats
Certain official vehicles and diplomatic missions have distinctive formats or identifiers. While these may not come up in routine buying, it’s good to recognise they exist so you don’t confuse them with private or commercial categories. Always cross-check the RC to confirm the category and any special permits.
Buying Tips: New or Used Car, What to Check
Whether you’re buying from a showroom or a pre-owned marketplace, use this quick checklist tied to the types of number plates in India:
• Match Plate to RC: The colour and category (private/commercial/EV/BH) must match your RC.
• Check Series & Chassis: Cross-verify plate details with the chassis/engine numbers in the RC and invoice. If you’re doing a background check, our guide on how to find vehicle owner? explains simple ways to verify ownership records before you pay.
• No Tampering: Look for clean, standard fonts and proper riveting/placement.
• For Used Cars: Confirm there are no pending challans or mismatches in ownership.
• Financing: If you’re buying used car, planning your budget through a used car loan helps you shortlist confidently and negotiate better.
Ask for the service history, inspect tyres and brakes, and take a proper test drive. Correct plates and paperwork today mean smoother resale tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the types of number plates in India is more than trivia—it protects you from paperwork issues, wrong permits, or insurance surprises. With the basics clear—private vs commercial, rental, EV, temporary, and BH series—you can choose with confidence, especially when evaluating a used car. Keep your RC, plate type, and intended usage aligned, and you’ll enjoy a worry-free ownership experience.
FAQs
1) Can I convert my private car to commercial usage later?
Yes, but you’ll need to follow RTO procedures, permits, and re-registration steps. The plate colour and insurance category will change accordingly.
2) How do I know if a used car’s plate is genuine?
Cross-check the RC details, state code, and RTO code. Inspect the physical plate for correct font, spacing, and secure mounting. Avoid any platewith unusual stickers or altered characters.
3) Are EV plates mandatory for electric cars?
Yes, EVs follow the green plate format, with white characters for private and yellow for commercial. Make sure the RC reflects “electric” as the fuel type.
4) What is the benefit of the BH series?
BH series helps eligible owners who move across states frequently. It uses a uniform format and a different tax schedule, reducing re-registration hassles.
5) How long can I use a temporary plate?
Temporary registration is short-term and meant only until you get a permanent number. Always convert within the validity period to avoid penalties.
6) Do rental/self-drive cars use different plates?
Yes. Rental and certain hire-use vehicles typically display a black background with yellow characters, signalling commercial use distinct from standard taxis.