Bharat Series Number Plate: BH Number Plate Eligibility & Benefits

Bharath series registration plate meaning, format, eligibility , how to apply and everything you need to know about BH series vehicles.

Recently, the Indian vehicle registration system added BH Series Registration Plates (also known as the Bharat Series). The new registration series is part of the Indian government’s initiative to standardize the vehicle registration process across India. It allows you to register your vehicles in any state of India without changing the number plate. Naturally, BH Series Registration Plates are getting very popular among car enthusiasts in India.

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Previously, whenever you moved to a new state in India, you had to change your vehicle registration number. Since Indian law requires you to get a new number plate as per the state’s regulations, car owners have to go through the entire registration process from scratch. The new registration series finally solves this problem and allows users to avoid a lot of inconveniences. In this article, let’s find out everything about the BH Series Registration Plates and how to get them.

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What is BH series number plate?

The BH series number plates were launched by the Indian government in 2021. Since then, they have been grabbing headlines. The uniform registration process across the country is a great initiative. It essentially allows car owners to move their vehicles from state to state without changing the number plate. The new feature is very useful for people who get transferred quite often. It saves time and costs for both the car owners and the government.

The new series of standardized registration plates measure 520 mm x 110 mm. Also, the characters are embossed with a laser. You can recognize a Bharat Series number plate easily as the alphabets and numerals are accompanied by the ‘BH’ prefix. Interested car owners can purchase the BH series number plate from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or authorized dealers.

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Why was BH series number plate launched?

The primary goal of the BH series is to start a standardized registration process in India. The new number plates work across state lines. This is a big step by the Indian government as every Indian state had its own set of rules and regulations for vehicle registration. So, if you have to move to work, you would have to change the registration number. The new BH series number plates eliminate the need for this process. Now, moving from one state t another is more convenient for vehicle owners.

Additionally, the uniform design of the new plates will help the authorities to easily identify the registration state of a vehicle and reduce fraudulent activities. As theft cases are on the rise, these standardized number plates are necessary. Also, the new process will save a lot of government resources as car owners won’t have to repeat the process of getting a registration number.

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BH Series Number Plate Meaning

The latest registration series aims to streamline the process of vehicle registration for people with transferable jobs. The Government of India has also added several changes to the Bharat Series for easy recognition. Unlike the previous number plate, the BH Series Number Plate replaces the first two initials with BH. Previously, these two denoted the state where the vehicle was registered. Now, you don’t have to go through the hassle of changing a car’s registration number every time you shift to a new state.

The format of a BH series number plate is simple. It follows YY BH #### XX, where the YY denotes the year of vehicle registration under the Bharat Series, BH represents Bharat Series, the #### stands for a unique four-digit numbers (ranging from 0000 to 9999), and the XX denotes two random letters from AA to ZZ. The numbers on these plates are randomly generated. Cars owners have no choice in this.

The new number plate series is now available for private vehicles. However, you have to meet the eligibility criteria. For example, this option is not available for commercial vehicles yet.

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BH Series Number Plate Eligibility

To apply for a BH series number plate, you need to have a transferable job. The new initiative is primarily designed to help defense personnel, central/ state government employees, and employees of PSUs. Even private company employees with offices in five or more states/ union territories are eligible. This initiative makes the process of owning a car smoother as registration remains the same, regardless of the state in which the car owner resides. It saves a lot of time and effort. Also, the new registration series is a step towards a more unified vehicle registration system in India. The government might expand the eligibility criteria in the future.

BH series cars road tax

In India, car owners (with a regular registration number plate) need to pay 15 years of road tax upfront at the time of purchase. This tax is calculated based on factors like the length and engine capacity of the car/ vehicle. However, the amount of road tax varies from state to state.For cars with a Bharat series number plate, the road tax norms are quite relaxed. At the time of purchase, the car owners only need to pay for 2 years. After this period, the road tax must be paid according to the state you are residing in, every two years.

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How to pay road tax for BH series cars?

For cars with BH series num plates, you can pay the road tax through the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). For Bharat Series cars, the road tax is 8% if their value of less than 10 lakhs. On the other hand, for vehicles with a value of 10 to 20 lakhs, the road tax is 10%. However, for cars worth 20 lakhs and above, the road tax will be 12%. It is to be noted that the road tax for BH series cars is calculated based on the invoice value of the vehicle and the standard ex-showroom price. This means you can end up saving money over the long term.

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Pros & Cons of BH series number plate

Pros:

• Enables the free movement of cars across India.
• Makes it easier for people with transferable jobs to register their cars in a new state.
• Road tax for BH series cars is lower than for cars with regular number plates.
• The upfront cost for road tax is significantly lower for BH series vehicles, as car owners only need to pay for 2 years instead of 15 years.

Cons:

• Car owners have no choice in selecting a specific number for their cars as the numbers on these plates are randomly generated.
• Road tax payments for the BH series must be submitted periodically, every two years.
• Commercial vehicles are not eligible for these number plates.

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How to apply for a BH series number plate Online?

The process of applying for a BH series number plate online is quite hassle-free. You need to follow a few simple steps. Here’s how to apply for a BH series number plate online:

• Visit the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) e-vahan portal.
• Next, click on the Vehicle Registration tab on the homepage.
• Then, select Bharat Series from the dropdown menu.
• Now, enter your vehicle registration details (your name, address, engine number, chassis number, vehicle make, car model, etc).
• Next, upload your documents (proof of eligibility, address proof, etc).
• Then, pay the applicable fees for registration and wait for the successful submission of the application.
• Now, you should receive an acknowledgment slip with a unique application number.
• Once verification of your documents and eligibility is done, your number plate will be issued.

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Highlights of the BH Series Vehicle Registration

Should I Get BH Series Number Plate for my Car?

Getting a BH series registration has several advantages. This includes the free movement of vehicles across India. Additionally, the road tax slab and the upfront cost is lower for BH series vehicles. So if you are eligible, you should apply for the new Bharats Series, even if you don’t have a transfer in the near future. The BH series number plate system is expected to get new rules and changes this year. For example, the government has allowed regular registration owners to choose the BH series registration mark and take advantage of its benefits. However, car owners have to meet the eligibility criteria before applying for these registration plates.

Additionally, this year, the BH series number plates will start with ’23’ instead of ’22’. They will also get a new set of computer-generated random numbers for the XXXX series. Additionally, the last set of letters may also change. So, the Bharat Series number plates will have a completely new registration number format in 2023.

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Conclusion

The Bharat Series Registration Plates are a progressive step for the Indian vehicle registration system. They have successfully simplified and streamlined the registration process for individuals with transferable jobs. Additionally, the periodic road tax payments make it easier to move around the country without complications or selling/ purchasing vehicles locally. In short, if you are eligible for the BH series registration, it is worth a shot. In addition to ease of movement, you can save money and even increase the resale value of your car.

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FAQ’s:

Q. When did the BH Bharat Series Vehicle registration new rule launch?

The BH series was launched by the Indian government. The registration process started on 15th August 2021.

Q. When will registration for the Bharat series number plate or registration mark start?

The registration process for the new Bharat Series number plates has already started. It is no longer limited to newly purchased vehicles. You can now apply for BH registration for your old private vehicles as well.

Q. Can I convert my current car registration to one from the BH series?

While the Indian government has notified that cars with regular number plates can also get a BH series registration plate, the registered vehicle will be subject to applied tax.

Q. Can I buy or sell a used car with a BH number?

Yes, you can easily buy or sell a car with BH numbers. You won’t need to go through the re-registration process either.

Q. Is the BH series applicable to old vehicles?

As per the recent Indian government notification, owners of an old car are also eligible for the Bharat series number plates. You can apply for the new series number plates for old vehicles.

Q. Is the Bharat series number plate costly?

For the BH series number plate, you need to pay two years of road tax upfront i.e. 8%, 10%, or 12%, depending upon the value of the car.