What is a High Security Number Plate (HSRP)?

High Security Number Plate (HSRP)  Overview

You must have heard of a high security number plate, a term that is doing the rounds in the country these days. What is high security number plate? It is nothing but an innovative initiative taken by the Government and will soon extend to almost all States and regions in the country.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Delhi Transport Department have now made it compulsory for all vehicles to obtain this HSRP or high security registration plates along with colour-coded plates for those vehicles sold prior to April, 2019. Not obtaining such plates will lead to fines between Rs. 5-10,000 as per the regulations notified officially by the Government. This means that those who purchased their vehicles prior to 1st April, 2019, should get their number plates changed at the earliest within the stipulated deadline.

What is a High Security Number Plate (HSRP)?

These number plates are crafted from aluminum and are affixed with at least two non-reusable and special snap-on lock systems to the vehicle in question. The plate comes with a specifically tailored (20 mm x 20 mm) Ashok Chakra hologram in blue which is hot-stamped and chromium based, on the left-side corner (on top). There is also a permanent 10-digit identification number or the PIN which is immaculately laser branded onto the corner in the bottom (left-side). A hot-stamped film is also used for the alphabets and numerals which have INDIA inscribed on them. The angle here is 45 degrees. The plate is also connected digitally to the installation vehicle.

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All owners of vehicles should get their HSRP prior to July, 2022. Those plates sold post 2019 will fall in this category and hence this applies to those who purchased number plates before 2019. You should note this deadline carefully and get your number plate changed well in advance.

Advantages of High Security Number Plates

Before learning how to apply high security number plate, you should know a little about the benefits. They include:

• These number plates cannot be changed and removed easily or even tampered with due to their unique construction.
• These number plates have snap-on locks which cannot be replaced or reused. They cannot be removed in normal scenarios.
• HSRPs are only installed at select and notified automobile vendors and dealers with approval from State Government authorities. They are only given upon information being given by the vehicle owner, such as the chassis and engine number. This adds another layer of security to the whole process.
• The HSRP also helps in storing vital car details within the central database and this will come in handy in future situations where the authorities have to track any vehicle quickly for some reason. Hence, a transparent and uniform tracking system can also be implemented as a result.
• HSRPs will have similar styles and fonts, making them easier to understand. Earlier, people were used to number plates with different shades, designs and fonts, leading to confusion overall. Now this will change with simple yet common types introduced into the market.

How to apply for your High Security Number Plate (HSRP)

There is a simple high security number plate online applying procedure:

• Go to bookmyhrsp.com (applicable for owners in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi).
• Fill up all details including the chassis number, vehicle number, contact details, engine number and fuel type.
• Private vehicles come under the non-transport category which you have to choose here.
• You will get the password and username upon the submission of the form. This will come to your registered mobile phone number.
• Login and make the payment online using the secure options given on the portal. Thereafter, the receipt will be given automatically to you. Save this carefully for future usage.
• Once the number is ready for use, you will get notifications on your registered mobile phone number. You can thus get the new number plate installed on your vehicle at the authorized vendor/dealer once you show them the receipt.

High Security Number Plate (HSRP) Price

The Central Government is yet to fix any universal HSRP charge as of yet. Hence, it may vary across several Indian States. The average price is approximately Rs. 400 for two-wheelers while this may surpass Rs. 1,100 for four-wheelers, based on their category. The colour-coded sticker, another compulsory feature, will cost approximately Rs. 100 as per reports.

HSRPs vs. Regular Number Plates – Know the difference

• HSRPs are made of aluminum, containing security locks which cannot be tampered with or used again. This is not the case with common number plates.
• You cannot get the number plate reattached upon breaking the locks. Hence, it is next to impossible to tamper with these number plates.
• Chromium-based Ashok Chakra towards the left. This is a unique identifier for these number plates.
• Laser-encoded PIN which may be scanned easily by the authorities.
• Style and font to be the same for these number plates, which is not the case for regular number plates.
• Colour coded sticker for indicating the type of fuel, something that is absent on regular number plates. It will help the authorities clearly distinguish between vehicles on roads.

Several States are yet to come out with official guidelines for the installation of these number plates. With still some time left for the deadline to expire in Delhi and surrounding regions, vehicle owners should get the procedure completed in order to avoid last-minute hassles. The rule will also extend to many other States in the near future so you should keep a lookout for the same.