Yellow Number Plate in India What It Means, Who Needs It, And Latest Rules

What Does a Yellow Number Plate Mean? Why Do Some Vehicles Have It?

A yellow number plate is a vehicle identification plate issued by a Regional Transport Office (RTO). It’s issued to vehicles that are primarily used for commercial activities. Hence, you’ll mostly find these number plates on buses, taxis, and other vehicles engaged in commercial activities.

In this case, the colour yellow indicates the commercial nature of the vehicle. Hence, if you notice two cars, one with a white and the other with a yellow number plate, you can easily identify which one is a commercial vehicle.

This visual distinction makes it easier for traffic authorities to monitor commercial vehicles, ensuring they’re following all the relevant traffic rules. That is why you’ll find commercial vehicles with yellow plates in India.
 

Who Needs a Yellow Number Plate?

As mentioned in the previous section, all commercial vehicles need a yellow number plate in India. An expanded list of the yellow plate cars includes –

• Buses
• Trucks
• Delivery vans
• App-based cabs
• Regular taxis
• Self-rental cars
• Auto-rickshaws
• School buses

If you’re planning to purchase electric vehicles for commercial purposes, then you won’t need a yellow number plate. In these cases, you need a green number plate with yellow lettering.
 

Yellow Number Plate Rules in India

A yellow plate taxi, truck, or delivery van must follow the rules specified for them. Here’s a glimpse of the key yellow plate rules in India that every commercial vehicle must follow –

• You cannot let a driver with a private driving license drive a commercial vehicle. The driver must obtain a commercial driving license to comply with the law.
• The car must be registered with the RTO as a commercial vehicle. A car with private registration cannot be used for commercial activities.
• Obtain the relevant permit based on the vehicle’s operating route, the nature of the commercial activity, etc.
• Yellow plate cars must be covered by active commercial insurance at all times; private car insurance won’t work in these cases.
• Yellow plate taxis, vans, cabs, trucks, etc., must pass a periodic fitness certification test at a local RTO or authorised centre.

In addition to these yellow plate rules in India, commercial vehicles must follow all applicable pollution norms and state-level regulations for their vehicle type.
 

Yellow Plate vs. White Plate: What is the Difference?

Now that you’ve understood the yellow plate meaning, you can find it easier to distinguish it from white plate cars. Here’s a quick comparison of white and yellow number plates.

Basis of Differentiation	Yellow Number Plate	White Number Plate
Issued To	Commercial vehicles, including delivery vans, trucks, and taxis	Private, non-commercial vehicles, including personal cars and bikes.
Visual Highlights	Black lettering on yellow background	Black lettering on white background
Registration Requirements	Yellow plate vehicles must obtain commercial registration before beginning any commercial activities.	A regular private vehicle registration is sufficient to begin using the car or bike.
Insurance Requirements	Yellow plate cars, trucks, vans, etc., require relevant commercial insurance for legal compliance.	Private, non-commercial insurance is sufficient.

Documents and Requirements for Commercial Vehicles

RTO will assign a yellow number plate to your vehicle upon successful commercial registration. You’ll need the following documents during the commercial registration process:

• Forms 20, 21, & 22/22A
• Valid commercial insurance certificate
• Invoice of the purchased vehicle
• Form 34 (this form is needed only if the vehicle is purchased on loan)
• Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
• Owner’s identity and address proof (PAN card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport, etc.)

These are a few standard documents generally needed for commercial registration. However, additional documents may be required, depending on a particular case.
 

Can a Private Car Have a Yellow Number Plate?

If you’ve purchased a private car for personal use, then it cannot have a yellow number plate in India. However, if you plan to use the same vehicle for commercial purposes, you must first change the vehicle category and registration type by approaching the RTO.

Once the RTO has successfully changed the car’s category from ‘private’ to ‘commercial/transport’ in its records, you can obtain a yellow number plate. Avoid using a private car for commercial activities without following this process, as it can lead to severe legal consequences and hefty penalties.
 

Conclusion

Indian vehicles follow a strict number plate system to make vehicle identification easy and ensure smooth legal compliance. If you own a commercial vehicle or plan to convert a private vehicle into a commercial one, you’ll receive a yellow number plate.

We’ve covered all the crucial information about yellow plates in India in this blog, so you can proceed with registration with greater awareness. Since yellow plate cars, trucks, vans, etc., require commercial insurance, you can get them covered under our Passenger Carrying Vehicle Insurance policy or Shriram Goods Carrying Vehicle Insurance.
 

FAQs

Can two similar cars, such as SUVs, have different coloured number plates?

Yes, two SUVs can have different coloured number plates. For example, if one SUV is purchased for private usage and the other for commercial activities, then the former SUV will have a white number plate and the latter will have a yellow plate.

Who assigns the number plates in India?

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) assigns the relevant number plates in India.

Can I use my personal car for rentals?

No, a private car cannot be used for commercial activities. Doing so will attract penalties and other legal consequences.

Which vehicles usually have yellow number plates in India?

Taxis, auto-rickshaws, delivery vans, trucks carrying goods, rental cars, and buses are some common vehicles with yellow number plates.

Do cars with yellow plates require additional documentation?

Yes, they do. For example, cabs used for interstate travel must obtain relevant permits and comply with other state-level documentation requirements. Private cars don’t need such permits.