Everything you need to know about the BH Number Plate

In 2021, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) of India introduced the Bharat Series Number Plate or BH Number Plate. This new registration format was introduced by the Indian government to make vehicle ownership more flexible and hassle-free for people who frequently move across different states in India. For instance, under the older number plate system if someone moved from Maharashtra to Karnataka, they would need to re-register their vehicle with Karnataka’s transport department and pay road tax in the new state. The BH number plate eliminates this need by providing a single, nationally valid registration. Let’s discuss this in detail. 

How does the BH number plate work?

Unlike the existing vehicle registrations, the BH number plate allows vehicles to move freely within India without the need for re-registration. The BH plate format is pretty easy to understand:

AB BH XXXX YY

• AB – Year of registration (e.g., 21 for 2021)
• BH – Bharat Series Code
• XXXX – A random 4-digit number
• YY – A 2-letter code denoting the vehicle type (e.g., ‘PA’ for a private vehicle)

For example, a vehicle registered in 2021 under the Bharat series could have a number plate that reads “21 BH 1234 PA.”

Eligibility for BH number plate

The Bharat number plate is primarily intended for specific groups of individuals. Here are the eligibility criteria for the BH number plate.

• State and Central Government employees
• Defense sector personnel
• Bank employees
• Administrative services employees
• Private firm employees with offices in more than four states or union territories

Applying for a BH number plate

To get a BH number plate, there are a few steps that need to be followed. 

Using MoRTH’s Vahan Portal

Step 1: Log into MoRTH’s Vahan Portal or your state’s transport department website

Step 2: Look for the option to apply for a new vehicle registration or transfer of ownership.

Step 3: Fill in the required details such as vehicle type, engine number, chassis number, etc.

Step 4: Upload the necessary documents, including your ID proof, address proof, and vehicle insurance.

Step 5: Pay the applicable fees for the registration process.

Step 6: Once the application is processed, you will receive an SMS or email with your BH series number plate details.

Step 7: You can then visit your nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO) to get your number plate fixed on your vehicle.

Contacting a dealer for the registration 

Step 1: If you choose to contact a dealer, then the dealer needs to fill out Form 20 on the Vahan Portal on your behalf. 

Step 3: Private sector employees with offices in more than four states or UTs must submit Form 60 and provide their employment ID with a work certificate.

Step 4: The state authorities will then verify the eligibility of the vehicle owner. 

Step 5: Select the ‘BH Series’ option on your application

Step 6: Submit Required documents, such as the Working Certificate (Form 60) or a copy of the official ID card  

Step 7: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) approves the BH series.

Step 8: Pay the necessary fee or motor vehicle tax online.

Once these steps are completed, the Vahan portal generates BH series registration numbers in random order, applicable in all states of India.

Documents required for BH Number Plate registration

• Aadhaar Card 
• PAN Card
• Official ID card 
• Form 60 
• Form 20 (If applicable)

Road Tax for BH Number Plate

For private vehicles registered under the BH series, road tax is paid in two-year intervals or in multiples of two such as four, six, or eight years. The tax can be easily paid online and is applicable for up to 14 years. After that, you’ll need to pay annually. The tax amount is calculated based on the vehicle’s invoice price, with lower rates for electric vehicles.

How to Pay BH Number Plate Road Tax Online

Step 1: Visit the Parivahan Website 

Step 2: Select your State from the drop-down. This should be the state where your BH series number was originally sourced from.

Step 3: Enter your registration number. A popup about Aadhar number-based verification will appear. Just click on the <Proceed> button.

Step 4: Under Online Services, click on Pay Your Tax.

Step 5: Enter the vehicle chassis number (last 5 digits)

Step 6: In the Tax Details section, select Tax Mode as LumSum Two Year. Your vehicle details will show up.

Step 7: Proceed to make the payment. After the payment is done, the updated tax due date will be displayed. 

Benefits of the BH Number Plate

As already stated above, the BH number plate was introduced to reduce the hassle of re-registering vehicles after moving to a new state. 

• Hassle-Free Inter-State Movement: People no longer need to go through the cumbersome process of re-registering their vehicles every time they move to a different state. This is especially useful for government employees and private sector employees with transferable jobs.

• Simplified Taxation: Under the BH series, road tax is paid only for two years initially, and then in subsequent two-year increments. In contrast, traditional registrations require a one-time payment of road tax for 15 years, followed by re-registration.

• National Validity: The BH number plate is valid across India, making it easier for vehicle owners to drive their cars wherever their work takes them without worrying about state borders.

• Reduction in Bureaucratic Processes: The introduction of the BH number plate helps cut down on red tape, simplifying the ownership experience for those eligible.

Challenges and Limitations of the BH Number Plate

While the BH number plate offers a host of benefits, it’s not without its challenges:

• Limited Availability: Since the scheme is limited to government employees and those working in companies with offices in multiple states, the general public cannot yet benefit from this scheme.

• Transfer Process for Old Vehicles: Although you can transfer existing vehicles to the BH series, the process might involve some additional paperwork, especially when dealing with older registrations.

Cost of BH Number Plate

The BH registration cost is different from the cost related to the issuance of a normal number plate. 

Here is the BH number plate price breakdown:

Point to note is that there shall be 2% extra charge for diesel vehicles and 2% less tax for electric vehicles.

Summary

The BH number plate is a great solution for people who move often for work. It makes vehicle registration easier, lets you pay road tax in simple steps, and you don’t have to worry about re-registering in each new state. While it’s mainly for government and private sector employees, it could eventually help more people across India. If you’re eligible, the BH number plate can save you a lot of time and hassle!

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