The 22 BH Number Plate – Registration Process, Features, and Costs

Among the recent updates to the vehicle registration rulebook, the BH series number plate deserves a mention. The BH registration was introduced in 2021 to eliminate the vehicle re-registration hassles associated with car owners who transfer jobs.

However, there are some specific guidelines to follow before applying for this number plate. An individual whose job requires frequent relocation must learn about the format, eligibility criteria, and application process for the BH number plate to ensure a seamless vehicle registration process.

Here’s more on it!

What is a BH Series Number Plate?

The BH series, also known as the Bharat series, was launched by the MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) in 2021. The BH registration procedure aims to facilitate seamless vehicle mobility nationwide, eliminating the need for re-registration.

This helps the individuals who often need to relocate to a new state due to their job. Previously, the vehicles were allowed to run freely for a month after moving to a new city. However, once the 30-day period was over, vehicle owners were required to obtain a new registration certificate from the present RTO to avoid legal consequences.

With the BH series number plate, vehicles get nationwide validity without any re-registration hassles.

What are the Eligibility Criteria to Apply for a BH Series Number Plate?

The following individuals are eligible to apply for a BH number plate in India:

• If you are an employee of the state or central government, a bank or PSU, defence personnel, or an administrative department, you can apply for a BH number plate.
• Private sector employees associated with an organisation that has offices in at least four states across India.
• You must have a permanent Indian address to apply for a BH number plate. 
• Individuals owning a personal vehicle can only apply for BH series registration; commercial vehicles are not eligible.
• You must clear the road tax and have a PUC certificate for your vehicle to be eligible to apply for a BH number plate.

What is the Bharat Series Number Plate Format?

To ensure uniformity and easy identification, the BH number plate includes a unique format. The number plate starts with the year of vehicle registration, followed by the Bharat series code, BH, a four-digit numeric code, and two alphabetic characters.

The format is as follows: YY BH #### XX.

Let’s understand this with an example: 

The BH number plate of a car is 22 BH 9476 HG.

Here, “22” represents the year of vehicle registration, i.e. 2022. “BH” stands for Bharat series. “9476” is the four-digit numeric code unique to each vehicle. “HG” are the two random alphabets.

What are the Features and Benefits of a BH Series Number Plate?

The following are the features of the BH series number plate:

• This is applicable only to non-transport vehicles. So, public transport and commercial vehicles cannot acquire a BH number plate.
• This registration process eliminates the hassles of re-registering a vehicle after moving to a new state, saving you time and money.
• You no longer need to visit the RTO multiple times to re-register your vehicle, as paperwork can be submitted online.
• The BH-number plate has nationwide validity. So, you can move anywhere across the country without any legal issues.
• With its black characters and white background, the number plate design is similar to a typical number plate; however, the format of the licence number is unusual.

Here are some of the advantages of the BH series number plate:

• Seamless Vehicle Registration

The main objective of the BH number plate is to simplify the vehicle registration process. With this number plate, vehicle owners who frequently relocate from one state to another for work purposes can avoid the hassles of re-registering their vehicle multiple times.

• Valid Across the Nation

Vehicles with a BH number plate can travel across the country due to their nationwide validity. You can freely move to any state or Union Territory if your car is registered with a BH number plate, without any further validation or permits.

• Cost Savings

Vehicle owners can reduce the expenses related to the process, as there is no requirement for re-registration. Re-registration frequently entails taxes, fees, and documentation costs, all of which can mount up. These costs are decreased or eliminated with the BH licence plate.

How to Apply for a Bharat Series Number Plate?

Here are the steps to follow to apply for a BH series number plate in India:

• Step 1: Log in to the Parivahan portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the official vehicle registration platform in India.
• Step 2: Complete Form 20 with the vehicle and owner’s details.
• Step 3: Upload the necessary documents, which include ID proof, employment proof, and other vehicle-related information. Ensure that all your records are updated as of the most recent date.
• Step 4: Pay the applicable registration fees and the first road tax instalment online.
• Step 5: The eligibility and documentation for the BH number plate will be confirmed by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). This procedure ensures that the BH number plate is only issued to qualified individuals.
• Step 6: Once the RTO approves your application, your BH number plate will be issued. You will receive the RC and BH number plate after approval.

Note: You can seek the assistance of a car dealer to apply for a BH number plate offline.

What are the Documents Required to Apply for a BH Series Number Plate?

You need to produce the following documents to apply for a BH series number plate:

• RC (Vehicle Registration Certificate)
• Valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC)
• Receipt of Road tax
• ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, Driving License, etc.)
• Proof of Employment
• Address Proof
• Form 60

How to Pay the BH Number Plate Road Tax?

To pay your road tax online, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Visit the official Parivahan website.
• Step 2: Select the state where your vehicle is registered under the BH registration system.
• Step 3: Enter your vehicle registration number.
• Step 4: Choose the ‘Pay Your Tax’ option under the online services menu.
• Step 5: Provide your vehicle’s chassis number when prompted.
• Step 6: In the Tax Details section, select the payment type, such as a lump sum amount.
• Step 7: Finally, proceed with the payment. Once completed, your payment details will be updated in the system.

What is the Price of a BH Series Number Plate in India?

When registering a new car with a standard number plate, you are required to pay road tax upfront for a period of 15 years. The tax amount depends on various factors, such as the car’s length and engine capacity.

However, if you register your car under the BH (Bharat) series number plate, you only need to pay road tax for the first 2 years at the time of purchase. After that, you will pay road tax every 2 years, which can be done conveniently online through the official e-Vahan website.

Additionally, for BH series vehicles, the road tax is calculated based on the car’s invoice value excluding GST, rather than the ex-showroom price. Here is the tax structure applicable to BH series registered vehicles:​

The road tax percentage differs based on the fuel type. For diesel vehicles, the rate is 2% higher than for petrol ones, and for electric cars, it is 2% lower. For vehicles with invoice prices below ₹10 lakh, the road tax percentage for diesel vehicles will be 10%, and for electric cars, it will be 6%.

Summary

The BH series number plate is a crucial step in the road traffic guidelines that ease the hassles of vehicle re-registration each time you move to a new state. If you are eligible as per the mentioned criteria, follow the online or offline steps as per your convenience to apply for BH registration.

FAQs about the BH Series Number Plate