From state to nation: The BH series revolution

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced the Bharat Series (BH) registration plates in 2021, revolutionising the way vehicles are registered and transferred across states in India. This new system is designed to facilitate seamless transfer of vehicles across states without the need for re-registration, making it easier for individuals who frequently move between states.

Key features of Bharat (BH) registration

The BH series registration plates have a unique format, consisting of a four-digit number followed by two alphabets (e.g., 22 BH 1234 AA). This registration is applicable for vehicles owned by individuals who frequently move between states, such as Central and state government employees, public sector undertaking (PSU) staff and private sector employees with offices in four or more states or union territories. The BH series registration offers several benefits, including:

Seamless transfer: No re-registration is required when moving to a new state, making it easier for individuals to relocate for work or other purposes.

Taxation: Road tax is paid for two years (or multiples thereof), calculated based on the invoice price and vehicle category.

Pan-India validity: The BH series registration is valid across all states and union territories in India, eliminating the need for re-registration.

State registration

In contrast, state registration is specific to a particular state and is governed by the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). The format for state registration plates typically consists of a state code followed by a series of numbers and alphabets (e.g., HP 12 AB 3456). State registration is applicable for all ordinary private vehicles registered in a particular state. The key features of state registration include:

State-specific registration: Registration is specific to a particular state and re-registration is required if a person moves to another state for more than 12 months.

Lifetime tax: A one-time lifetime tax (typically 15 years) is paid at the time of registration.

Re-registration required: If a person moves to a new state, they must re-register their vehicle and obtain a new registration plate.

Example

To illustrate the difference, consider the following example:

BH plate: 23 BH 4567 ZQ (valid all over India, no need for re-registration if you move)

State plate: HP 32 B 7890 (if you move to Delhi, you must re-register and pay road tax again there)