BH Series Number Plate: Eligibility, Benefits, Documents, and How To Apply?

If you are one who is changing cities frequently for work and owns a vehicle, re-locating to a new state often comes with a big headache —getting your car re-registered. The paperwork, road tax issues, and RTO visits can be a hassle, as no one wants to deal with the long, tedious process. To simplify things, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced the BH Series number plate.

It is one of the smart, PAN-India Vehicle registration systems that cuts through the red tape. Are you someone who relocates frequently for work?  The BH New series number plate is designed to enhance country-wide mobility. Plus, it could save a lot of time and stress.

In this blog, we will mainly discuss  

• What is the BH Series Number Plate
• BH Series Number Plate Eligibility Criteria
• Benefits of the BH Series Number Plate
• What Documents are needed to apply for a BH Registration Plate?

What is the BH Series Number Plate?

The BH Series registration is a unified number plate initiative, with the Ek Bharat, Ek Registration motto, introduced by the Government of India in 2021. The intent behind introducing this special number plate method is to eliminate the need for re-registration of a vehicle when you move to a different state for work. Earlier, if you had to relocate to a different state, you had to re-register your vehicle within 12 months, under Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It was indeed a long process, involving loads of paperwork and extra taxes. However, with the new BH Series registration, the need for re-registration has gone. It means you can drive it anywhere in India without worrying about re-registration, no matter how many times you relocate. 

What are the BH Number Plate Eligibility Criteria?

Are you wondering if you qualify for a BH number plate? Well! The BH Series number plate is not open to everyone. Here’s a quick look at the BH number plate eligibility criteria. You are eligible only if you fall into any of the following categories:

• Central Government employees
• State Government employees
• Defense personnel
• Employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
• Private sector employees, provided their company has offices in four or more states or union territories

What are the benefits of the BH series number plate? 

The BH series number plate benefits are many, especially if you frequently get transferred across states and UTs. Let's talk about the key benefits for better clarity:

1. Eliminates the Need for Re-registration: You no longer need to re-register your car or bike when you move from one state to another. The BH series plate is state-neutral, which means it is valid across all Indian states and union territories.
2. Online Application: You can apply for a BH number plate online. The registration process is largely digital via the Vahan portal. It minimizes the need to pay multiple visits to the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).
3. Road Tax Structure: Unlike the traditional one-time tax for 15 years, vehicles with the BH registration plates pay road tax for only two years at a time. This option comes in handy, especially if relocation is on your cards or you want to sell your car or bike in the near future. So, you can bid adieu to long-term tax load and take a sigh of relief.
4. Uniform Format: As per the BH number plate rules 2025, these registration plates follow a uniform format nationwide. Let's take a quick look at the standardized layout:

• The BH format looks like this - YY BH #### XX
• Here, YY means the year of registration, BH refers to the Bharat series code, #### is any random number assigned to your vehicle, and XX denotes two random letters.

5. No State Border Restrictions: This unified number plate allows you to travel or move anywhere in India without worrying about state border compliance for your vehicle.

What Documents are Needed to Apply for a BH Registration Plate?

Refer to the table below for a clear understanding of the documents needed to apply for a BH series registration:

BH Series Number Plate - How to Apply?

The process of the BH Series Number Plate application is pretty simple and mostly digital. Here you go!
Buy the Vehicle: When buying your new vehicle, make sure to choose a dealership that offers the BH series registration facility. Inform them right away that you want a BH number plate so they can start the process for you from the beginning.

1. Fill Form 20: Your dealer will usually help you fill out the Form 20. It is the application form for registering your vehicle.
2. Upload Employment Proof: Upload the necessary employment documents (depending on your eligibility) to the VAHAN portal.
3. Pay Road Tax: You will then be asked to pay the road tax for two years (or in multiples of two). It depends on your preference. The tax amount is calculated depending on the ex-showroom price of your four or two-wheeler.
4. Approval by RTO: Once you have submitted all relevant documents, the RTO will review your documents. If everything checks out, they will approve your application and issue your BH registration plate.

Also Read: Best Car Insurance Companies

To Conclude

Whether you are a government employee, a defense personnel, or someone who works in the private sector, if your job takes you places, the BH series ensures your vehicle can move as easily as you do. Driven by the vision of  “One Nation, One Registration”, the Government of India has launched the landmark initiative to ensure seamless mobility across the country.

FAQs on BH Series Number