An HSRP number plate is a High Security Registration Plate. It is a number plate made so that it is hard to copy, swap or tamper with. The rule comes from Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and the Motor Vehicles (High Security Registration Plates) Order, 2018 issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
HSRP full form: High Security Registration Plate. Many people also call it a high security number plate.
What makes an HSRP different
- Chromium hologram: a 20 mm by 20 mm hologram of the Ashoka Chakra, hot stamped on the top left of the front and rear plates.
- Laser etched PIN: a permanent identification number of at least 10 characters on the bottom left. It is linked to your vehicle record at registration.
- "INDIA" inscription: printed in blue across the reflective sheeting.
- Snap locks: the plates are fixed with locks that cannot be opened and reused, so the plate cannot be moved to another vehicle.
- Third registration mark: a colour coded sticker on the windscreen (see below).
The plate colour still follows the normal rules: white for private, yellow for commercial, green for electric and so on. See number plate colours.
The HSRP rule: new vehicles and old vehicles
New vehicles: Under the Central Motor Vehicles (Sixteenth Amendment) Rules, 2018, which came into force on 1 April the next year, new vehicles come with HSRP from the factory side. The manufacturer supplies the plates and the dealer fixes them before delivery. The cost is part of the vehicle price, and the dealer cannot charge for it separately.
Old vehicles: Vehicles made before that date are often called old vehicles. The HSRP Order allows dealers of the vehicle maker to fit HSRP on them, and states may also authorise HSRP makers or suppliers. Each state decides its own drive for old vehicles, including the booking route, fee, deadline and fine.
HSRP colour coded sticker
The third registration mark is a self destroying hologram sticker, about 100 mm by 60 mm. It is fixed on the inside of the windscreen at the left corner. If someone tries to peel it off, it breaks. It shows the registering authority, the registration number, the laser PIN and the date of registration. Its background colour shows the fuel type:
| Fuel type | Sticker colour |
|---|---|
| Petrol | Light blue |
| CNG | Light blue |
| Diesel | Orange |
| Other vehicles (for example electric) | Grey |
A later MoRTH order also added a green strip on the sticker for BS VI vehicles. Keep the sticker in place, as some states check for it along with the plates.
How to book HSRP through the official route
Many websites and ads offer HSRP booking. Book only through the link given on your state transport department website, or through your vehicle dealer. Avoid links shared on social media or messages.
- Open your state transport department website. Look for the HSRP section. It shows the authorised booking page and fee for your state.
- Enter vehicle details. You will usually need the registration number, the last digits of the chassis and engine numbers, and your mobile number for an OTP. These are on your RC.
- Choose the fitment option. Pick a fitment centre near you, and a date and time slot. Some states also offer home fitment for an extra charge.
- Pay the fee online and save the receipt. Keep it in the vehicle, as some states accept it as proof during the deadline period.
- Visit on the date with your RC. The plates and sticker are fixed and the PIN is linked to your vehicle record.
Booking pages usually let you track the order status. Under the HSRP Order, a replacement plate is given only after the old plate is surrendered and destroyed. If your plate is stolen or badly damaged, ask your RTO what to do.
What to keep ready
- Your RC (registration certificate), paper or digital.
- The mobile number linked to your vehicle record, for OTPs.
- The booking receipt and appointment details.
Fitment usually takes a short time at the centre. Check that the number on the new plates matches your RC, that the hologram and PIN are present, and that the sticker shows the right fuel colour before you leave.
HSRP last date and fines vary by state
There is no single national last date for old vehicles. Many states, including Maharashtra, have run their own drives and extended the deadline more than once. Fines and actions also differ. Some states fine vehicles without HSRP, and some hold back RTO services such as ownership transfer or address change until HSRP is fitted. Always check the latest notice on your state transport department website before you rely on any date you read online.
Is HSRP needed for two wheelers and commercial vehicles?
Yes. The rule covers all motor vehicles, including two wheelers, three wheelers, cars and commercial vehicles. Fees for old vehicles are set by each state and are usually lower for two wheelers than for cars.
Want to know which state or RTO a plate belongs to? Use the decoder below or see the Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi code lists.
Questions people ask
What is the full form of HSRP?
HSRP stands for High Security Registration Plate. It is a tamper proof aluminium number plate with a chromium hologram, a laser etched PIN and locks that cannot be reused.
How do I book an HSRP number plate online?
Go to your state transport department website and follow its HSRP link to the authorised booking page. Enter your registration, chassis and engine details, pick a fitment centre and slot, and pay online. Avoid booking links sent through social media or messages.
What is the HSRP number plate last date?
There is no single national last date for old vehicles. Each state sets and often extends its own deadline. Check the latest notice on your state transport department website.
What do the colours of the HSRP sticker mean?
The windscreen sticker is light blue for petrol and CNG vehicles, orange for diesel vehicles and grey for other vehicles. It shows the registration number, the laser PIN and the date of registration.
Do old vehicles need HSRP?
Yes, in states that have ordered it. Vehicles made before the HSRP rule came into force must get HSRP fitted through the route and by the deadline set by their state. Check your state transport department website.