BH Number Plate: Bharat Series Number Plate Registration

What is this BH Number Plate? Are you also wondering that? Then you are at the right place. It is a process introduced to simplify the vehicle registration process across India.

You don’t have to re-register every time you move to another state for work. It allows you to drive across India without worrying about re-registering your vehicle.

In this blog, you will learn everything you need to know about BH Number Plate from its meaning to its challenges and concerns.

What is a BH Number Plate?

The BH Number Plate commonly known as the Bharat Series Registration Number is a step taken towards unifying vehicle registration plates across India.

It was introduced in August 2021 to make the vehicle registration process easier. With this number plate, you don’t need vehicle registration every time or when you move to a new state.

Whether your work requires you to frequently move between states or you are relocating, this eases your life by solving your problem effectively.

It doesn’t matter where you registered your car, you can use this number plate nationwide. Its validity is for 15 years throughout India.

Why was the BH Number Plate Introduced?

Many individuals were facing problems as they had to re-register their car whenever they moved to another state. It involved paperwork, fees, and new number plates.

That is why to address this problem, the BH Number Plate was introduced.  You don’t have to go through various paperwork as this helps prevent the hassle of re-registering a vehicle. This is best for those with transferable jobs, central government employees, and defense personnel.

It has made interstate mobility easier while providing enhanced security by preventing number plate frauds. It even helps to trace your vehicles easily.

So, the Bharat series number plate initiative aims to modernize vehicle registration practices in India.

Benefits of the Bharat Series

The Bharat series plate registration offers many benefits to reduce your problems related to vehicle re-registration.

1) Simplified Vehicle Registration

The best advantage of the Bharat series number plate registration is simplified vehicle registration.

If you are one of those who relocate frequently, then you understand how tiresome and frustrating it gets to register every time you move to another state or city.

It eliminates the hassle of re-registering your vehicle, saving you time, effort, and the burden of paperwork.

2) Nationwide Validity

The BH Number Plate has nationwide validity throughout India compared to your standard state-specific number plates.

You can move between new states freely with your registered vehicle. You don’t need permits or register again when relocating each time.

3) Reduced Costs

The BH system even saves you money as you don’t have to pay fees or charges for additional documents for re-registering in a new state.

This makes it a cost-efficient investment while reducing the expenses you had to pay frequently and you were not even able to avoid them.

4) Security

The number plates ensure your safety by providing the BH number plate with high-security features. These features such as chips, laser branding, and holograms help prevent counterfeiting.

Eligibility Criteria for BH Number Plate

There is an eligibility criteria for acquiring the BH number plate. Yes, it is not free for all. It focuses on the individual who has to move frequently across states because of their professions or jobs.

Here is a list of those who can apply for a BH series number plate in India.

• The employees of the central government, state government, and central/state public sector undertakings (PSUs).
• The defense personnel such as the member of the Indian Armed Forces.
• Employees working in the private sector including private companies or organizations with their office branches in four or more states or UTs of India.

With these requirements, you must be an Indian citizen, your vehicle should not be a non-transport vehicle and you must have a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.

Your road tax should be paid fully in the state where you initially registered your vehicle. The BH Number Plates are only available for some. Only above mentioned individuals come under the eligibility criteria.

Application Process

You can apply for the BH number easily by following these steps. You can apply for a number plate series through the Vahan portal or an authorized automobile dealer.

• If you are registering through the Vahan portal, you first need to login to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Parivahan website.
• Go to the vehicle registration and fill out the details required for registering your vehicle.
• After that, submit the documents required, such as ID proof, address proof, vehicle documents, and employment proof.
• Select the 'BH' series during the application process.
• Pay the required fees and submit your application.
• After submitting, you will get an acknowledgment slip. Then wait for your documents to get verified.
• Once verified, you will be issued with your BH number plate.

Through an Authorized Automobile Dealer

• If you want, you can also get your number plate through an authorized automobile dealer.
• They will help you with the application process. The dealer will help you fill out Form 20 on the Parivahan website on your behalf.
• He/She will submit the required documents you have provided to them.
• Choose the BH series and then the RTO will give its approval.
• After the approval, pay the fees required or motor vehicle tax online.

Documents Required for BH Number Plate

Here are the documents required for applying for the BH Number Plate. These documents can vary depending on your employment status and the RTO regulations of your state.

Form 20: Form 20 is required to apply for your motor vehicle registration.

Form 60: Private sector employees have to fill out this form. They also need to submit the GST certificate of the company.

Vehicle documents: The documents such as registration certificate (RC), insurance certificate, and PUC certificate are required for registering your vehicle.

Identity Proof: Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or any other identity proof is also needed.

Address proof: Aadhaar card, utility bills, etc.

Employment proof: Employment proof includes your official ID card, employment certificate, or letter from the employer, Ensure the documents you are submitting are clear, legible, and up-to-date.

Cost and Fees

The road tax determines the cost and fees for getting the BH Number Plate. It also depends on your vehicle type and engine capacity.

The factors that affect the cost include vehicle price, fuel type, and state-specific charges.

Your road tax will be higher if your vehicle price is higher. However, the rates vary from state to state. There are additional charges for HSRP and other fancy features or designs. HSRP full form is high-security registration plates.

Features of BH Number Plate

The BH Number Plate has various features and unique characteristics.

Design and Structure: The BH series number plate has a white background with black alphanumeric characters, making it distinct from other standard number plates.

Security Features: This number plate has several security features, including tamper-proof stickers and a hologram. This ensures your number plate's authenticity and prevents counterfeiting.

Nationwide Validity: Another feature of the BH Number Plate is its nationwide validity, which means you don’t have to re-register your vehicle when moving to another state.

Standardized Format: A uniform format is followed that makes it easy to recognize and identify your vehicle.

BH Number Plate Format

The BH Number Plate even has a format that you might have wondered what exactly YY BH #### XX characters mean. Its format is as follows:

YY: Indicates the year of registration

BH: Stands for Bharat Series

####: It is a unique four-digit number that is assigned to your vehicle.

XX: Two letters that indicate a series code.

For Example: 23 BH 1234 AB

Challenges and Concerns

Every system has some challenges and concerns, and the Bharat Series number plate is no exception.

Limited Eligibility: Only the specific categories of individuals like government employees, private firm employees, etc can apply to get this number plate, limiting its availability to a large population.

Higher Initial Cost: The road tax for the number plate is higher, leading to a higher initial cost.

Potential for Misuse: One of the concerns is that your number plate can be misused because of its nationwide validity. It can misused for illegal activities such as tax evasion.

Conclusion

The BH Number Plate is a great and progressive step to make your vehicle registration in India easy and simple.

It offers convenience and efficiency for those who frequently move across India, such as government employees, defense personnel, private sector employees, and those whose job requires them to move frequently.

While there are challenges, including eligibility, cost, and potential misuse, its future still looks promising.

You can easily apply for them by following the necessary steps and ensuring you have all the required documents.

It is a significant step towards a unified national transportation network and simplified vehicle registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 How long is the BH Number Plate valid?

Ans Similar to standard vehicle registrations, the BH number plate also has a validity of 15 years.

Q2 What happens if I don't renew my BH Number Plate on time?

Ans If you don’t renew the BH number plate on time, you may face fines, penalties, or legal issues, making it essential to renew it on time.

Q3 Are there any penalties for not using a BH Number Plate?

Ans No, there are no penalties for not using a BH number plate even if you are eligible.

Q4 Can I change my car number to BH series?

Ans Yes, you can change your car number to the BH series by transferring your existing number plate to the BH series. You get it by paying the taxes required for getting a number plate. But, also make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.