How to Apply for a BH Number Plate Online: Step-by-Step Process

What is a BH Number Plate?

A BH number plate is a unified Pan-India registration system for non-commercial vehicles. It’s a 10-character alphanumeric code structured as YY BH #### XX. Here’s what each component represents:

• YY – Year of car registration (A car registered in 2024 will have 24 as the code)
• BH – Code for Bharat series
• #### - A random four-digit number
• XX - Two random letters (excluding I and O)

Cars with a BH number plate don’t have to be re-registered in a new state when they’re transferred to a new location, as the number plate is valid across India.

How the BH Registration System Works

The BH registration system is designed to grant Pan-India legal validity to cars, allowing them to move across Indian states and union territories without re-registering.

If you’re in a highly transferable job, obtaining a BH number plate can help you avoid the administrative hassles, cost, and time associated with re-registering a car in a new state. While convenient, it isn’t for everyone. The eligibility has been explained in the next section.

Who is Eligible for BH Registration?

You can proceed to apply for a BH number plate online if you belong to any one of the following categories –

• Central government employee
• State government employee
• Defence personnel
• Employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
• Private sector employee working in a private organisation with offices in at least four states or union territories

If you belong to any one of these categories, you’ll have to furnish the required documents to prove your eligibility.

Key Benefits of a BH Number Plate for Vehicle Owners

As a vehicle owner, you’ll receive the following benefits after obtaining a BH number plate.

No Need for Vehicle Re-Registration

The biggest benefit is that you won’t have to re-register your car every time you’re transferred to a new state for work. It will save both your time and money.

Simplified Road Tax Payments

Instead of paying road tax for the entire registration period upfront, BH number plate owners can pay it for 2 years (or multiples thereof), up to 14 years. Once 14 years are complete, you can pay the road taxes annually. This tax structure can bring huge financial relief, as you won’t have to make a higher upfront payment.

Uniform Registration Across India

As the BH number plate is legally valid nationwide, you can keep the same car number plate regardless of the state you live in.

Apply for a BH Number Plate Online: Applicable Fees & Charges

If you’re planning to apply for BH registration online, be aware of the applicable charges, which are determined by the vehicle’s invoice value and fuel type.

Vehicle Value as Per Invoice	Road Tax Rates
Less Than ₹10 Lakh	8%
Between ₹10 Lakh and ₹20 Lakh	10%
More Than ₹20 Lakh	12%

You’ll receive a 2% reduction if you have an electric vehicle. Diesel vehicles will attract a 2% surcharge.

BH Registration Online: Step-by-Step Process

The online BH registration process in India is very straightforward. Here’s how you can apply for a BH number plate online.

• Visit the Parivahan Sewa portal and navigate to the Bharat series option. You’ll most likely find it under the ‘Vehicle Registration’ tab.
• Fill the form and enter the details being asked for on the screen
• Upload the required documents that confirm your eligibility and identity
• Make the registration fee payment

Once the payment is made, you’ll receive an acknowledgement. The approval decision will be made after the verification process. If the verification is successful, you’ll receive a notification about the issuance of a BH number plate in your registered contact details.

You can also approach a local automobile dealer to fill out the application form for you. Some dealers assist with BH registration, so you may consider it if you want to skip the individual filing process. They’ll handle it for you.

BH Number Plate: Documents Required for Application

Since both government employees and eligible private-sector employees can apply for a BH number plate, the precise list of required documents will vary slightly. You should be ready with the following BH number plate documents.

Basic Documents

You’ll most likely be asked for the following basic documents –

• PAN card
• Aadhaar card
• Passport
• Voter ID
• Latest utility bills
• Vehicle invoice
• Car insurance papers
• PUC certificate
• Temporary registration certificate

These are basic documents that will be requested from both government and private-sector employees.

Form 60 (Only for Private Sector Employees)

If your company has offices in 4+ states or union territories, you’ll have to fill out Form 60 and upload it along with the following company documents –

• Registration number (CIN number)
• PAN card number
• Company’s official email address
• Registered address
• Certificate from the workplace mentioning the GST numbers of all 4+ offices

In addition to these company documents, the following employee documents may also be required –

• Employee’s UAN (PF)
• Official employee ID
• Last 3 pay slips
• Email from the company’s HR to the RTO’s email ID

Some additional documents may also be sought during the application process, depending on the individual case.

Government Employee ID

Government employees must present their official government identity card in addition to the basic documents listed above. A service certificate can also be requested. People working in the defence sector will also have to share their identity cards and other key documents.

Common Challenges During BH Registration

Although the process to apply for a BH number plate online is simple, you may still encounter the following challenges.

• Employer Verification Delays: For private-sector employees, verification often requires numerous documents and an email from the company’s HR department (in some cases). If, for any reason, the documents remain incomplete or the HR doesn’t respond to the RTO in time, you may face delays.
• Inconsistent Details Across Documents: You may face a challenge if details such as your full name or date of birth are inconsistent across your PAN, Aadhaar card, and other key documents.
• Confusion Around Road Tax Payment: The road tax payment structure is different for a BH number plate owner. People new to BH number plate registrations are usually unsure of how BH road tax is calculated or when future payments become due. You can avoid it by understanding the applicable tax slab we’ve shared above.
• Limited Awareness Among Dealers: Although local automobile dealers assist people with the BH number plate application process, not everyone is well-versed in the latest guidelines and procedures. You must approach a dealer who has successfully filed numerous BH number plate applications in the past few months, as they’ll likely be up to date with the latest guidelines.

Conclusion

Getting a BH number plate is the best thing you can do if you’re in a highly transferable job. Not only will it remove the hassle of frequent car re-registration during transfers, but it will also save you time and money that are usually involved in the process.

Thankfully, the BH registration process in India is simple and can be finished within a few minutes (if you’re ready with all the documents).

If you also want to enjoy convenience and benefits in terms of car protection, ensure you secure your car with reliable Car Insurance plans. The Comprehensive Car Insurance plan from Shriram General Insurance is one such plan that deserves your attention for its coverage and ease of customisation.

FAQs

1. Is the BH number plate expensive?

The cost of acquiring a BH number plate will depend on the vehicle’s invoice value. So, if you drive a high-end car with a ₹20+ Lakh invoice value, then the cost will usually be higher.

2. What is the benefit of getting a BH number plate?

The biggest benefit is that you won’t have to re-register your car in a new state every time you’re transferred for work. You can keep the same car with the same number plate, which is both convenient and practical.

3. How long will it take to get a BH number plate?

There is no fixed timeline, as the approval depends on the verification process. Faster verification leads to faster approvals, and vice versa.

4. Can anyone get a BH number plate?

No, there are strict eligibility criteria to obtain a BH number plate. You can get a BH number plate if you belong to one of the following categories: central & state government employees, defence personnel, private sector employees working in a company with offices in 4+ states or union territories, and employees of PSUs.

5. Can I convert my existing vehicle into a BH series one?

You can convert it if all the eligibility criteria are met.