Vehicle Number plates rules in India

Number plates rules in India

The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in India both regulate the use of number plates on vehicles. Here are some important rules and regulations regarding number plates in India:

• Every motor vehicle in India must have a number plate. The number plate should be clearly visible and legible from a distance.

• Private vehicles must have a white number plate with black lettering. The letters and numbers on the number plate should be in English.

• Commercial vehicles, including taxis, cabs, buses, and trucks, must have a yellow number plate with black lettering.

• Rental cars, which are self-driven cars available for hire, must have a black number plate with yellow lettering. 
• Vehicles that are owned and operated by the government, including those used by government officials, must have a red number plate with white lettering and the emblem of India.

• The size of the number plate should be 20 cm x 10 cm for the front plate and 22 cm x 12 cm for the rear plate.

• The number plate should be securely attached to the vehicle and should not be obscured by any part of the vehicle, including the number plate holder.

• It is illegal to alter or modify the number plate in any way, including changing the color, lettering, or design.

• Violation of any of these rules may result in fines or other penalties.

Components of a Number Plates

The number plate of a vehicle in India has several components, including:

• Registration Mark: The registration mark is a combination of letters and numbers that are assigned to the vehicle by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) when the vehicle is registered. The registration mark is unique to each vehicle and is used to identify the vehicle.

• State Code: The first two letters on the number plate indicate the state or union territory where the vehicle is registered. For example, the state code for Delhi is DL, while the state code for Maharashtra is MH.

• Emblem: In some cases, the number plate may also have an emblem, such as the national emblem of India, to indicate that the vehicle is owned and operated by the government.

• Color: The color of the number plate varies depending on the type of vehicle. Private vehicles have a white number plate, while commercial vehicles have a yellow number plate. Rental cars have a black number plate with yellow lettering, and vehicles registered under the International Convention on the Transport of Goods (TIR) have a blue number plate with white lettering.

• Font: The letters and numbers on the number plate should be in English and should be clearly visible and legible from a distance. The font used on the number plate is usually standard and may vary depending on the state.

• Size: The size of the number plate is regulated by law and should be 20 cm x 10 cm for the front plate and 22 cm x 12 cm for the rear plate.

Types of Number Plates Summary

In India, there are various types of number plates used for different types of vehicles. The most common type is the white background plate with black letters and numbers, which is used for private cars and bikes. Commercial vehicles have yellow plates with black letters, while government vehicles have white plates with blue letters. Diplomatic vehicles have white plates with red letters.

There are also special types of number plates, such as those used for vehicles of foreign missions, which designate their special status and making them easier to identify.

FAQ about Types of Number Plates

Q. Why do electric vehicles have green number plates?

The green number plate is provided for electric vehicles only. It also helps to identify and track electric vehicles for government initiatives related to electric mobility, such as the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) India scheme.

Q. How many days does it take for a number plate to be delivered?

In general, it usually takes between 7 and 15 days for a number plate to be delivered to the vehicle owner after the registration process is complete. However, in some cases, it may take longer if there are delays in the manufacturing or distribution processes.

Q. How much do the number plates cost?

The cost of number plates in India varies depending on the type of vehicle and the type of number plate required. Here are some approximate costs for different types of number plates in India:

White number plate for private vehicles: The cost of a standard white number plate with black lettering for a private vehicle is around ₹400 to 600.