BH Number Plate Features, Benefits, and Eligibility

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Updated on Mar 08, 2024

The BH number plate is a new number series for vehicle number plates starting with the letter ‘BH’. Bharat Number plate series is created by the Ministry of Transport, Government of India. Read on to know more about the BH series number plate, it’s features, benefits and how to apply!

The Bharat Series is a new number plate series for vehicles in India starting with the letter ‘BH’. Created by the Ministry of Transport, this series has many highlights that you might be interested in knowing about. As per the information from the ministry, a vehicle having this Bharat series number plate will have permission to move their vehicles from one state to another without going through the process of number plate changing.

In this blog, we are discussing the important things that you should know about the Bharat series including what is Bharat Series Number Plates.

What is the BH Number Plate Series?

The Bharat Series numbers are created especially to cater to drivers or vehicle owners who need to cross state boundaries frequently. In this case, the ‘BH’ alphabet (which stands for Bharat) will replace the alphabets that indicate your state on your vehicle number plate to signify the registration of the particular state that you got the vehicle registered from. For private vehicles, these number plates will have the numbers written in black on a white background plate.

Features of BH Series Number Plates

The features of the Bharat Series Number Plate are mentioned herein below:

  • The BH series number plates look similar to the other number plates. However, the format of the license number is different
  • The BH series number plate is valid across the country
  • This kind of number plate is applicable only for non-transport vehicles
  • The process of re-registering a vehicle becomes easier as the owner of the vehicle shifts to another state.

Who can get the Bharat Number Plate?- Eligibility

The BH or Bharat series number plates for vehicles can be acquired by those meeting the following criteria:

  • People from the armed forces background
  • State and central government employees
  • States/UTs with five or more offices for both central and state Public Sector Undertakings
  • And the private sector organizations with five or more offices in different states of the country

Also Read: How to Find Car Insurance Details by Registration Number?

How Much Do the BH Series Number Plates Cost?

The table below depicts the price of the BH series number plates:

Cost (invoice) Motor Vehicle Tax (invoice percentage)
Below 10 lakh 8%
INR 10 to INR 20 lakh 10%
Above 20 lakh 12%

 

You may note that an extra 2% charge is levied on diesel-run vehicles, while electric vehicles get a 2% discount on tax. Also, remember that for private vehicles, the BH number plate road tax is charged for 2 years or in multiples of two like 4, 6, 8, etc.

What is the Bharat Series Number Plate Format?

YY BH #### XX 

The above is the format of the Bharat series number plates in India.

Here,

  • YY represents the original year of registration,
  • BH represents the Bharat Series code,
  • #### is the random number between 0000 to 9999 chosen for the number plate, and
  • XX stands for any alphabet between AA to ZZ.

Also Read: Vehicle Owner Details By Number Plate

BH Series Registration – Steps to be Followed while Applying for a BH Series License Plate

To apply for a BH series license plate, one has to follow certain steps. And the BH registration steps are as follows:

  • Step -1: As you buy a new vehicle, your automobile dealer will fill out Form 20 on Vahan Portal, on your behalf
  • Step -2: The next step includes the selection of series type, which has to be BH series type
  • Step -3: You would then be needed to submit some documents such as a Working Certificate (Form 60) or copy of an Official ID Card and several other documents
  • Step -4: The RTO will then approve the BH series
  • Step -5: You will have to pay the online fee, as required
  • Step -6: As you complete all these steps, the BH series registration number will be generated by the Vahan Portal.

BH Number Plate Benefits – Key Advantages of Bharat Series Number Plates

  • In the new series of the number plate, vehicle tax would be charged for at least two years or even more
  • With this arrangement, it will be simple for private vehicles to move freely across the country
  • But fresh registration of the state will be required under this series for the sale of cars
  • Under the Bharat series, transferring ownership of vehicles will be easy

Also Read: Benefits of HSRP

Cons of BH Number Plate – Primary limitations

Limited Availability – One of the key disadvantages of the BH series number plate is that it is limited to specific groups like defense personnel, government workers, bank employees, and employees working in private firms with multiple offices across India. Hence, all vehicle owners cannot avail themselves of the benefit of having a BH series number plate for their vehicles.

Not applicable to Transport Vehicles – At present, the BH series number plates are available for only non-transport/private motors. So, taxis, buses, trucks, and other transport vehicles are not qualified to avail of this series. This is another limitation of the BH-series number plates.

Road Tax Structure of Bharat Number Plate

If your vehicle has a BH series license plate, the road tax you have to pay is for two years or for multiple of 2 years. You will be able to pay the road tax for the BH series plate online and it can be applied only for 14 years. After completion of 14 years, you have to make an annual payment.

Invoice Price Percentage of Invoice Price Remark
If the car costs less than INR 10 Lakh 8% Road Tax based on the Invoice Price 2% extra charge for Diesel Vehicles
If the car costs between INR 10 to INR 20 Lakh 10% Road Tax based on the Invoice price 2% less charge for Electric Vehicles
If the car costs above INR 20 Lakh 12% Road Tax based on the invoice price

How to Apply for BH Series Number Plate?

Here are the important processes to keep in mind for applying for a number plate with the BH series:

  • The owner of the vehicle must apply for the new BH Bharat series number at the RTO where the original registration was done by presenting a government ID card to prove his job profile.
  • The car owner will have to pay road tax for 2, 4, or 6 years as per the duration of their stay in the state from where they got the car.
  • The ‘No Objection Certificate’ is not necessary under the new Bharat number plate as there is no state contribution of the state in the new series. So, here the owner of the car can apply for re-registration right away in the state that they have moved to
  • Here, the car owner can utilize the tax revenue of the state. So, if the car owner wants, they can wait till the duration of the old tax revenue expires and then can apply for a new registration
  • Even with the new Bharat series number plate, a vehicle owner will have to pay fines for not renewing the RC as per the predetermined time frame if they are caught by the Traffic cops
  • However, in this case, you can seek reimbursement if you choose to make the payment of the road tax of the new state. For this, you must process a reimbursement request for the original state’s road tax

Also Check: Car Insurance Online

Does the Bharat Series Number Plate Influence Vehicle Insurance Premium?

According to insurance companies, there will be no immediate influence or impact of the BH series number plates on vehicle insurance premiums. Like in the case of vehicles with regular number plates, vehicle owners with BH series number plates will have to buy insurance to comply with the regulations of IRDAI or the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.

The premium charged for such vehicles depends on various common factors such as the model and make of the vehicle, vehicle age, security system installed, coverage type, engine type, and more.  BH series number plates streamline the entire process of licensing and registration of motors and allow several perks to users.

Hence, the execution of the BH series number plate is important in terms of standardizing the vehicle registration and licensing process in India. This series presents a uniform structure for both transport authorities and vehicle owners in the country.

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To conclude

With the new BH Series Number Plate, one can avoid the re-registration process of his/her car in case he/she moves to a new or different state. This series will be useful for people with jobs that need frequent transfer between states in India. It is likely that the new Bharat number series will present good alteration to the current system and will make it easy for buying and selling of vehicles in the country.

As already discussed in the blog above, this series of number plates is currently available for people with government jobs and armed personnel among others as mentioned above. If you fall under the category of who can acquire a Bharat Series number plate, you can do so and make your movement between states easy.

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FAQs: Bharat Number (BH) Plate, Features, Benefits and Registration Process

When did the registration for the BH Series number plate commence?

Registration for the BH series number plate started on September 15, 2021.

Is the BH number plate costly?

It totally depends on the vehicle and falls into three slabs:

If the cost of the vehicle is under INR 10 Lakh, you have to pay 8% of the total cost
If the vehicle costs you between INR 10 and 20 Lakh, you have to pay 10% of the total cost of the vehicle
If the cost of the vehicle is more than INR 20 Lakh, you 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 in India who have transferable jobs and may belong to central and state government departments, defense personnel, PSUs departments, and employees of private firms that have offices in at least 4 states or UTs.

Is a Bharat number plate available for two-wheelers?

Yes, it is applicable for two-wheelers and all non-transport vehicles.

Why do you need a BH number plate?

BH number plates are opted for by people who have transferable jobs. It is mandatory to re-register your vehicle after 12 months of shifting to a new place in India. However, when you already have a BH series number plate, you do not have to go through any such thing.

22 BH number plate is for which state?

22 BH does not represent any state, it means the vehicle was registered in the year 2022 and BH is for Bharat.

Check complete RTO Code List of Uttar Pradesh (UP) here: https://www.paybima.com/blog/rto/uttar-pradesh/

How to get BH number plate?

The owner of the vehicle must apply for the new BH Bharat series number at the RTO where the original registration was done by presenting a government ID card to prove his job profile

23 BH number plate which state?

23 BH does not represent any state, it means the vehicle was registered in the year 2023 and BH is for Bharat.

Check complete RTO Code List of Uttar Pradesh (UP) here: https://www.paybima.com/blog/rto/uttar-pradesh/

What are the necessities for getting a BH series plate?

You should be an Indian resident working for the focal or state government, banks, protection, regulatory administrations, and so on. Just representatives working for privately owned businesses with workplaces in at least 4 states/UTs are qualified for BH series number plates.

What number of states have carried out the BH series?

24 states have non-transport vehicles enrolled as Bharat Series (BH-series).

What number of vehicles have BH number plates?

Around, in excess of 20,000 vehicles have been enlisted with BH number plates all over India.

Is the BH number plate relevant for business or business use?

No, the BH number plate isn't appropriate for business or business use. It is principally intended for private, non-transport vehicles.

When did the BH number plate series get introduced in India?

The new series of number plates called the BH series was introduced by the Indian Government for all non-transport vehicles on the 28th of August, 2021.

Can a car with a BH series number plate be driven in restricted areas/zones?

No, your BH series number plate does not receive any added privileges. Hence you cannot drive in the restricted areas/zones with a BH series number plate. Despite your BH series number plate, a vehicle owner is expected to follow all the rules and regulations fixed by your respective area/state authorities in terms of driving.

What if I sell my car registered under the BH series?

The BH series registration is non-transferable. So, you cannot transfer your BH series number while selling your car to the new owner. The person buying your car would have to follow the vehicle registration process of their respective state to get the car registered.

Can an existing vehicle registration be transferred to a BH series number plate?

No, you cannot transfer your existing number plate to a BH series number plate. Only newly registered cars can have BH series number plates.

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Mar 18, 2022
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PayBima is an Indian insurance aggregator on a mission to make insurance simple for people. PayBima is the Digital arm of the already established and trusted Mahindra Insurance Brokers Ltd., a reputed name in the insurance broking industry with 17 years of experience. PayBima promises you the easy-to-access online platform to buy insurance policies, and also extend their unrelented assistance with all your policy related queries and services.

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