A BH series number plate (Bharat series) is a registration mark that is not tied to one state. It was brought in by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through the Central Motor Vehicles (Twentieth Amendment) Rules, 2021. The aim is simple. If you have a job that moves you from state to state, you should not have to re-register your car or bike every time you shift.
BH is not an RTO code in the normal sense. A regular plate like MH 12 tells you the state and the RTO office. A BH plate only tells you the vehicle is in the Bharat series. It is still issued by a registering authority (your RTO) through the Vahan system.
How to read a BH number
The format is YY BH #### XX. For example, 22 BH 4521 AB.
- YY: the last two digits of the year of first registration.
- BH: the code for the Bharat series.
- ####: a four digit number from 0000 to 9999, picked at random by the portal.
- XX: two letters, running from AA to ZZ.
For a private (non transport) vehicle the plate has black letters on a white background, like any other private plate. It must also be a high security registration plate. See our guide on HSRP number plates.
Who is eligible for BH registration
BH registration is voluntary and is for non transport (personal) vehicles. As per the notification, it is open to:
- Defence personnel.
- Employees of the Central Government and State Governments.
- Employees of Central and State public sector undertakings.
- Employees of private sector companies or organisations that have offices in four or more states or union territories.
Private sector employees must give a working certificate in Form 60, signed by the employer. Government and PSU staff can show an official identity card or service certificate. The RTO verifies this before giving the BH number. Later rules made the working certificate check stricter to stop misuse.
BH series tax rule
This is the biggest difference from normal registration. Under a regular plate, you usually pay road tax for many years in one go to one state. Under BH:
- Motor vehicle tax is paid online for two years, or in multiples of two years.
- The rate depends on the invoice price, without GST.
- After the fourteenth year from first registration, tax is paid every year, at half of the amount charged earlier for that vehicle.
| Invoice price of vehicle | BH tax rate |
|---|---|
| Up to Rs 10 lakh | 8% |
| Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh | 10% |
| Above Rs 20 lakh | 12% |
Diesel vehicles pay 2% more than these rates. Electric vehicles pay 2% less. Because tax is paid in short blocks, you do not lose money on unused years when you move.
How to apply for a BH series number
- Tell your dealer at the time of purchase. Most new vehicles are registered through the dealer on the Vahan system. Ask for BH series registration before the papers are filed.
- Give proof of eligibility. Form 60 from your employer (private sector), or your official ID or service certificate (government, PSU, defence).
- Submit the usual documents. These include the sale certificate, insurance, address proof and temporary registration details, along with the forms your RTO asks for.
- Pay the BH tax online for two years or a multiple of two.
- Get your number. After the RTO verifies the papers, the portal generates the BH number at random.
You can apply in a state where you have a permanent residence or a place of work. Your RTO may have its own document list, so check with your RTO before you go.
Can an old vehicle get a BH number?
Yes. The Central Motor Vehicles (Twenty-third Amendment) Rules, 2022 allow a vehicle with a regular number to be converted to the BH series, for people who become eligible later. You must pay the tax due. These rules also added Form 27A, the application for a new registration mark in the BH series.
Selling or transferring a BH vehicle
- If the buyer is also eligible, the vehicle can stay in the BH series.
- If the buyer is not eligible, the vehicle gets a new regular number and pays tax as per that state's rules.
- If you stop being eligible (for example, you leave the job), the vehicle stays in the BH series for the period for which tax is already paid.
If you move to another state, report the change of address to the registering authority. The original notice asked owners to do this within 30 days.
BH series or state number: which is better?
BH makes sense if you expect to shift states every few years. If you plan to stay in one state for a long time, a normal state number may be simpler, and you can also choose a fancy number there. Tax rules and fees change from time to time, so confirm the latest charges with your RTO or on Parivahan Sewa.
To understand regular plates, read our number plate format guide, or see the MH, KA and DL code lists.
Questions people ask
What is the BH RTO code?
BH is not linked to any single state or RTO. It stands for the Bharat series, a national registration mark for eligible personal vehicles. The number is still issued by your RTO through the Vahan system.
Who can get a Bharat series number plate?
Defence personnel, Central and State Government employees, employees of Central and State PSUs, and employees of private firms that have offices in four or more states or union territories. Private sector staff need a Form 60 working certificate from the employer.
How much tax is paid for BH series vehicle registration?
Tax is 8% for vehicles up to Rs 10 lakh, 10% for Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh and 12% above Rs 20 lakh, on the invoice price without GST. Diesel vehicles pay 2% more and electric vehicles pay 2% less. It is paid for two years at a time, or in multiples of two.
Can I convert my existing number to a BH series number?
Yes. Rules notified later allow a vehicle with a regular registration to move to the BH series if the owner is eligible, after paying the required tax. Ask your RTO about the forms and fees.
What colour is a BH series number plate?
A private BH vehicle has black letters on a white background, the same as other private vehicles. It must be a high security registration plate. Electric vehicles follow the green plate rules.