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BH Number Plate: Bharat Series Number Plate Benefits & How to Apply [2024 Guide]

Team AckoApr 19, 2024

Moving to a new state or city in India often involves the hassle of re-registering your vehicle in the new location. However, the Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced a solution to streamline this process. The Bharat Series number plates, also known as BH number plates, were launched in 2021 to make vehicle registration easier for individuals who frequently relocate for work. In this article, we will explore the benefits and features of BH number plates, the eligibility criteria for obtaining them, the application process, and a lot more.

Contents

Streamlining Vehicle Registration
BH Series Number Vehicle Registration Highlights
Eligibility for BH Series Number Plates
Features of BH Series Number Plates
BH Number Plate Format
Online Application Process for BH Number Plates
Documents Required for BH Number Plate Registration
Road Tax for BH Series Vehicles
Cost of the BH Series Number Plate
Advantages of the BH Number Plate
Disadvantages of BH Number Plate
Will the BH Number Plate Affect Motor Insurance Premium?
Summing Up
Frequently Asked Questions on BH Number Plate

Streamlining Vehicle Registration

The Motor Vehicles Act stipulates that passenger vehicles can be driven for a maximum of 12 months without transferring the registration to the new state. Failure to comply with this regulation can result in fines and penalties. Re-registration can be time-consuming, especially for individuals with transferable jobs.

To address this issue, MoRTH introduced the BH or Bharat number plates, which allow car owners to relocate to any region in India without re-registration.

BH Series Number Vehicle Registration Highlights

Parametre	Highlight
Concerned Authority	Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
Concerned Act	Motor Vehicles Act
Date of Introduction	28th August 2021
Applicable in	India
Registration mode	Online
Official website	morth.nic.in
Eligible for	State and Central Government employees, Bank employees, Administrative services employees, Private employees

Eligibility for BH Series Number Plates

The Bharat number plate is primarily intended for specific groups of individuals. Here are the eligibility criteria for the BH number plate.

State and Central Government employees
Defence sector personnel
Bank employees
Administrative services employees
Private firm employees with offices in more than four states or union territories

Features of BH Series Number Plates

Here are the features of the Bharat registration number plate:

Applicable only to non-transport vehicles
Eliminates the need for re-registering the vehicle when relocating to a new state
Saves effort, paperwork, and time associated with the re-registration process
Valid across the country
The number plate design resembles a standard licence plate with a white background and black fonts, with a different format for the licence number

BH Number Plate Format

The BH series registration number includes the Year of Registration (YY), followed by BH (Bharat series), a 4-digit registration number, and XX, which indicates the vehicle category.

The format is “YYBH####XX”, where YY denotes the year of registration, BH indicates Bharat series, #### is the unique 4-digit code, XX is any random alphabet assigned to your vehicle between A-Z. For instance, the 23BH number plate denotes that the vehicle was registered in the year 2023.

Online Application Process for BH Number Plates

Vehicle owners need to follow these steps to obtain a BH number plate.

Step 1: You can either log into MoRTH's Vahan portal or seek assistance from an automobile dealer.
Step 2: If seeking assistance from a dealer, the dealer fills out Form 20 on the Vahan portal on your behalf.
Step 3: Private sector employees with offices in more than four states or UTs must submit Form 60 and provide their employment ID with a work certificate.
Step 4: The State Authorities verify the eligibility of the vehicle owner.
Step 5: The series type "BH" is selected during application.
Step 6: Required documents, such as the Working Certificate (Form 60) or a copy of the official ID card, are submitted.
Step 7: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) approves the BH series.
Step 8: Pay the necessary fee or motor vehicle tax online.

Once these steps are completed, the Vahan portal generates BH series registration numbers in random order, applicable in all states of India.

Documents Required for BH Number Plate Registration

The documents required to apply for BH number plate registration are as follows:

PAN card
Aadhaar card
Official ID card
Form 60

Road Tax for BH Series Vehicles

For private vehicles registered under the BH series licence plate, the road tax is charged for two years or multiples of two (four, six, and eight years). The road tax can be paid online and it remains applicable for 14 years. After 14 years, an annual payment becomes compulsory. The tax percentage is based on the vehicle's invoice price, with lower rates for electric vehicles.

Cost of the BH Series Number Plate

The BH registration cost is different from the cost related to the issuance of a normal number plate. Here is the BH number plate price breakdown:

Invoice Cost	Motor Vehicle Tax (% of the invoice)
Less than Rs. 10 lakh	8%
Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh	10%
More than Rs. 20 lakh	12%

Please note that there shall be 2% extra charge for diesel vehicles and 2% less tax for electric vehicles.

For private vehicles, the road tax for the BH number plate will be charged for 2 years or in multiples of two (4,6 and 8).

Advantages of the BH Number Plate

Here are the pros of the BH registration number plate.

Simplified Vehicle Registration: The BH number plate's primary advantage is its simplified vehicle registration process. Vehicle owners, especially those who frequently relocate for work, can avoid the hassle of re-registering their vehicles when moving to a new state or city. This saves time, effort, and paperwork.
Nationwide Validity: The BH number plate is valid throughout the country. Vehicle owners can freely drive their registered vehicles in any state or union territory without the need for additional permits or re-registration.
Cost Savings: By eliminating the need for re-registration, vehicle owners can save costs associated with the process. Re-registration often involves fees, taxes, and documentation charges, which can add up significantly. With the BH number plate, these expenses are reduced or eliminated.

Disadvantages of BH Number Plate

Here are the disadvantages of BH registration number plate.

Eligibility is Limited: The BH number plate is currently limited to specific groups of individuals, such as government employees, defence personnel, bank employees, and private firm employees with offices in multiple states or union territories. This means that not all vehicle owners can benefit from the BH series.
Exclusion of Transport Vehicles: The BH number plate applies only to non-transport vehicles. Transport vehicles like buses, taxis, and trucks are not eligible for the BH series. This limits the scope of the convenience provided by BH number plates.

Will the BH Number Plate Affect Motor Insurance Premium?

Vehicle owners with BH number plates installed on their vehicles must comply with the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, similar to any other vehicle owner, and must buy a motor insurance policy. The BH number plate does not impact the motor insurance premium, as the premium is determined by various factors such as the type, age, model, location, etc. Hence, you can rest assured that the premium rate will remain unaffected by the BH series.

Summing Up

Thus, the re-registration process can become hassle-free with the installation of BH number plates in vehicles. It saves extra costs and also offers convenience in the overall process.

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Frequently Asked Questions on BH Number Plate

Here are the answers to some common questions about the Bharat series number plate.

Can I transfer my existing vehicle registration to a BH series number plate?

No, the BH series number plate is only applicable for new registrations. Existing vehicle registrations cannot be converted to the BH series.

What happens if I sell my vehicle registered under the BH series?

The BH series registration will not transfer to the new owner if you sell your vehicle. The new owner will need to follow the regular vehicle registration process of the respective state.

Can I drive my BH series registered vehicle in restricted zones or areas?

The BH series number plate does not grant any additional privileges in terms of driving in restricted zones or areas. Vehicle owners must adhere to the rules and regulations set by the respective state or local authorities.

Is the BH number plate applicable for commercial or business use?

No, the BH number plate is not applicable for commercial or business use. It is primarily designed for private, non-transport vehicles.

When was the BH number plate introduced in India?

The BH series number plate was introduced for non-transport vehicles in August 2021. And the registration of the BH number began in September 2021.

Is the BH registration number available for two-wheelers?

Yes, you can apply for a BH registration number plate for two-wheelers.

What does 22 mean in the BH number plate?

The 22BH number plate is an all-India registration for vehicles registered in 2022. Available for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, the 22BH series number plate signifies that the vehicles are registered in 2022.

What is BH series registration cost?

The BH number plate cost is between 8%-12% of the invoice cost, depending on the price of the vehicle.

What is BH number plate full form?

The BH number plate full form is Bharat Series Registration number.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.