BH Number Plate

To simplify the lives of millions of travellers traversing India's diverse landscapes, the Indian government unveiled a game-changing initiative in 2021: the Bharat series number plate. It is specifically designed to ease the lives of vehicle owners throughout the entire nation by streamlining the complicated process of re-registering vehicles when moving between states.

Traditionally, vehicle owners were burdened with the tedious task of changing their car's registration plates whenever they relocated to a new state. However, with the introduction of the BH number plates, they no longer have to go through this hassle. Vehicle owners can now seamlessly travel between states without the need to re-register their vehicles.

Let's dive deeper into this BH Number plate, its features and much more.
 

What is The BH Series Number Plate?

The BH number plate is like a magical key, where “BH” stands for Bharat, allowing you to roam freely from state to state without any restrictions.

Think about it- you are a busy professional with a job that takes you places. With the BH number plate, you can say goodbye to the headache of re-registering your car every time you move. People with transferable jobs and working professionals can travel across the nation seamlessly without any fuss. With the BH number plate, you do not require any state-specific registration with this number plate.

Let’s understand this with a particular scenario - you register your car in Kerala, and you get the KL number plate. Now you get transferred to Punjab, and you are suddenly hit with the hassle of changing your registration to get a PB number plate. Not only is it inconvenient, but it also digs a hole in your pocket.  With BH on your plate, you can bid farewell to this headache.
 

Why was The BH Series Number Plate Launched?

The Bharat series number plate was introduced to simplify the lives of vehicle owners, particularly those with transferable jobs. Every time you relocate to a new city, you face the inconvenience of changing your car’s registration plate.

Vehicle owners also need to buy insurance coverage to safeguard their vehicles and ensure peace of mind while navigating India's diverse roadways. Additionally, relocating to a new location can affect your motor insurance policy, as it should be updated according to the vehicle registration number.

Here's where the BH series number plate saves the day! You can move to another city in a different state without worrying about changing your car insurance plan, as the same registration number allows you to maintain the same coverage seamlessly.

To qualify for the coveted Bharat series number plate, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and employment classifications. Let’s look at them below!
 

What Are The Eligibility Criteria For BH Series Number Plates?

While applying for the Bharat series number plate, applicants need to be aware of the eligibility requirements -

• The road tax payment of the vehicle should be cleared.
• The vehicle must have a PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate.

Individuals falling within the below-specified group are eligible to apply for the Bharat series number plate -

• Bank employees
• State and central government employees
• Administrative services employees
• Individuals who are working in a private company that has branches in more than five states.
   

Features of BH Series Number Plate

The BH number plate comes with a range of fascinating features that sets it apart from traditional number plates. Let’s look at the details below -

• Nationwide Validity: The BH number plate is valid across the entire country but is applicable only to non-transport vehicles.
   
• Hassle-Free Re-Registration: Owners of non-transport vehicles with the BH series number plates can skip the trouble of having to re-register their vehicles after relocating to a different state. This not only saves time but also makes the process much smoother.
   
• Enhanced Security Measures: If there's ever a mishap, such as theft or an accident, having a BH series number plate makes it easy for authorities to identify the vehicle's owner quickly.
   
• Simple Registration Procedure: The implementation of the Bharat series registration aims to simplify and unify the vehicle registration procedure, ensuring a smoother and more standardised process for all.
   
• Prevents Corruption: This initiative has brought about a unified registration process throughout India, effectively combating corruption, eliminating duplicates, and addressing various other registration-related issues.
   

BH Number Plate Format

The BH number plate has a unique format. The numbers and letters printed on this plate differ from those on a traditional number plate. The BH series registration code starts with the Year of Registration (YY), then BH (for the Bharat series), followed by a 4-digit registration number, and finally, XX (Alphabets), indicating the vehicle category. For instance, it might look like "22BH 9999AA".

Let’s discuss the intricate details of the Bharat series number plate -

1. YY: The initial two digits on the BH number plate indicate the registration year of the vehicle – for instance, "22" indicates registration was done in 2022.
2. BH: Next in line are the letters BH, denoting Bharat, signifying the vehicle's affiliation with the Bharat series number plate.
3. NUMBERS: Following  that, there are four random numbers ranging between 0000 to 9999.
4. ALPHABETS: The last two random alphabets can range from AA to ZZ.
    

How To Apply For A BH Number Plate?

You can follow the steps below to apply for BH series number plate registration -

Step 1: To kick start the process of acquiring BH series licence plates, you have two convenient options. You can either navigate to MoRTH's Vahan portal on your own or seek assistance from an authorised automobile dealer.

Step 2: You need to fill in Form 20 on the VAHAN portal if you want to receive help from an automobile dealer.

Step 3: Private sector employees who qualify for it are required to complete Form 60 and submit their employment ID along with a work certificate.

Step 4: The eligibility of the vehicle owners will be verified by the state authorities.

Step 5: Make sure that you submit all the required documents.

Step 6: Once you receive approval from the RTO for the BH series, it's time to pay  the required motor vehicle tax.

Now, let’s dive into the road tax regulations for vehicles with the BH series licence plate.
 

Bharat Number Plate – Road Tax Structure

You need to be aware of the intricacies of road tax regulations for vehicles bearing the BH series licence plate, which is designed specifically for private use. Under this system, road tax is levied for two years or in multiples of two (four, six, and eight years), and it can be conveniently paid online. This tax remains applicable for 14 years, after which an annual payment becomes mandatory. The percentage of tax is determined by the vehicle's invoice price, with lower rates for electric vehicles. Specifically, cars below Rs. 10 lakh incur an 8% tax, those priced between Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 lakhs are taxed at 10%, and vehicles costing above Rs. 20 lakh are subject to a 12% tax rate.
 

Fees For BH Series Number Plate

The fees for the BH series number plates vary according to the prices of the vehicles.

In the following table, we'll delve into the pricing details of the Bharat series numbers.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of The BH Series Number Plate

Let's explore the unique advantages and disadvantages of the BH number plate in the table below-

Summing Up!

The BH series number plate is a groundbreaking initiative by the Government of India aimed at revolutionising vehicle registration procedures. It offers a plethora of advantages, such as streamlining the registration process, nationwide validity, and significant cost savings. When it comes to re-registering vehicles, the expenses incurred due to taxes, fees, and documentation charges can be substantial. However, with the introduction of this innovative facility, such expenses are eliminated, ultimately enhancing convenience for vehicle owners nationwide. Nonetheless, as we navigate the intricacies of vehicle registration, the BH series number plate is a remarkable innovation, paving the way for smoother journeys and simplified procedures in the realm of Indian transportation.
 

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