Guide · Number plates
The Indian number plate format, explained
Every standard Indian plate follows one pattern. Once you can read it, you can tell where a vehicle was registered at a glance. Here is what each part means.
State or union territory code. Two letters, like RJ for Rajasthan.
RTO district number, pointing to a specific Regional Transport Office.
Series letters, cycled as numbers within a series run out.
Unique number for the vehicle, up to four digits.
The first two letters plus the district number, RJ14 here, are the RTO code. That is the part that tells you where a vehicle is registered.
Try it: decode a plate
We show the RTO office and location a plate is registered at. We do not show owner personal details. How to check official details
BH (Bharat) series
The BH series is a nationwide registration, so owners who move between states keep the same number. It reads YY BH NNNN XX: the registration year, the letters BH, a four digit number and letters. It carries no state RTO code, so it will not decode to a city on this site.
Temporary (TC) plates
A temporary registration is issued when a vehicle is newly bought, valid for a short window, usually up to a month, until the permanent number is assigned at the RTO. These are typically red plates with white text.
Number plate colours
Private, personal vehicles. Black text on a white background.
Commercial and transport vehicles like taxis and trucks. Black text on yellow.
Electric vehicles. White text for private EVs, yellow text for commercial EVs.
Self-drive rental vehicles. Yellow text on a black background.
Temporary registration, valid for a short window until the permanent number is issued.
Number plate FAQ
What is the format of an Indian number plate?
Standard plates follow SS DD X(X) NNNN: a two letter state code, a one or two digit RTO district number, one or two series letters, and a unique number up to four digits. For example RJ 14 UD 5810.
What is the BH or Bharat series number plate?
The BH series is a nationwide registration for eligible vehicles, letting owners keep the same number when they move between states. It reads YY BH NNNN XX: the registration year, the letters BH, a four digit number, and letters. It does not carry a state RTO code.
What does a TC or temporary number plate mean?
A temporary registration is issued when a vehicle is bought, valid for a short period, usually up to a month, until the permanent registration is completed at the RTO. Temporary plates are typically red with white text.
What do number plate colours mean in India?
White is private, yellow is commercial, green is electric, black is self-drive rental, and red is temporary registration. The colour tells you the vehicle category, not the owner.
Ready to try? Head back to the plate decoder or browse the full RTO code list.