What Is BH Number Plate, Eligibility, Registration, Pros & Cons?

What Is BH Series Number Plate?

Many people in India have transferable jobs. It means that they often have to move from one state to another for work. In such cases, if they own a vehicle, they will have to re-register it in the new state and pay the road tax there.

Note: Check your Car EMI with our - Car EMI Calculator

To dismiss this complex process, the central government introduced the BH series number plate in September 2021. People with a transferable job can get their new car registered with this number plate series and travel across the country with ease. Unlike regular number plates, the BH series number plates are valid throughout the country.

BH Series Number Plate – Decoding

Normal number plates have a two-letter code of the state, followed by a 2-digit RTO code of the area, two random letters, and 4 random numbers. People can also get the last 4 numbers of their choice by bidding for it. A regular number plate looks like this:

MH 01 AA 1111

On the other hand, a BH series number plate looks like this:

22 BH 1111 AA

Here, the first 2 numbers signify the year of registration, 2022 in this case, followed by BH, which stands for Bharat. Then there are 4 random, computer-generated numbers followed by 2 random alphabets excluding ‘I’ and ‘O’.

Also Read: How to Apply for a High Security Number Plate Online?

BH Series Number Plate – Eligibility

As mentioned earlier, the BH series number plate is for people having transferrable jobs. Hence, the following people are eligible to get a BH series number plate:

• Central and state government employees
• Employees of PSUs such as BHEL, ONGC, BSNL, etc.
• Defense personnel
• Employees of a company having offices in at least 4 states/UTs

Also Read: State Code by Regional Transport Office (RTO) of India

How To Get BH Series Number Plate?

If you are eligible for the BH series number plate, you can get it for your new car by following a simple process. You need to submit a copy of your official ID card (for government employees) or your working certificate in Form 60 (for private employees) to your dealer. The dealer will then apply to get a registration number for your car, which will be allotted to you in a few days. After you take delivery of the car, you can get the number plate installed from the dealership.

Note: Currently, the BH series number plate is only available for new, privately-owned, non-transport vehicles.

BH Series Number Plate – Tax Structure

When you get a new car registered with the regular number plate, you have to pay road tax for 15 years at once during the purchase. Additionally, the tax value varies depending on various aspects of the car, such as the length of the car, engine capacity, etc.

If you get your car registered with the BH series number plate, you will only have to pay road tax for the 2 years after the purchase. After that, you will have to pay road tax every 2 years. You can pay this road tax via the official e-vahan website.

Additionally, the road tax for a BH series-registered vehicle is calculated on the invoice value of the car excluding GST rather than on the ex-showroom price. This means that if you get a good discount on a car, the tax will be calculated on the discounted price of the car, saving you some money there as well. Here is the tax structure for a car registered with the BH series number plate.

The tax structure given above is for a petrol car. Electric vehicles will get a 2% waiver whereas diesel cars will be charged 2% extra. The tax calculated on the given basis will be for 15 years, which you will have to pay every 2 years for 14 years, followed by annual tax submission.

Note: Check your car’s fuel cost with Fuel Cost Calculator India

BH Series Number Plate – Pros

Here are the benefits of the BH series number plate:

1. Hassle-free ownership across the country
2. Low upfront cost
3. Lower road tax

BH Series Number Plate – Cons

Here are the shortcomings of the BH series number plate:

1. Not available for old or commercial vehicles
2. Submitting road tax periodically could be time-consuming
3. Cannot get a number of one’s choice as it is computer generated

BH Series Number Plate – Should You Get One?

If you are eligible to get the BH series number plate, have a transferable job, and are about to buy a new car, we think you should get the BH series number plate. Its advantages easily outweigh its shortcomings.

BH Series Number Plate – What Will Change For 2023?

For the year 2023, the BH series number plate’s initials will be changed from ‘22’ to ‘23’. The number plates for the next year may also be a different set of computer-generated numbers, leaving the ones which have been exhausted in the past. A similar case is also likely to be applicable to the 2 random numbers at the end of the number plate that currently do not include ‘I” and ‘O’.

Note: List of Upcoming Cars in India

Can I Convert My Car Registration To BH Series?

Yes, if you are eligible for the BH series number plate, you can apply for the BH series registration by uploading the necessary documents and paying the necessary road tax. If you want to apply for the BH series number plate, you need to comply with any of the following conditions:

1. Central and state government employees
2. Employees of PSUs such as BHEL, ONGC, BSNL, etc.
3. Defense personnel
4. Employees of a company having offices in at least 4 states/UTs

Can I Buy Or Sell A Used Car With BH Number?

Yes, if you are the holder of a BH-series registered vehicle, you can sell it to the buyer without any problem. The buyer of your vehicle will have to apply for registration in his/her regional RTO office to obtain the regional registration number. Similarly, you can purchase a BH-series registered vehicle and re-register it from your regional RTO office.

Can I Transfer BH Registration To A Person Who Is Not Eligible For BH Registration?

Yes, You can sell the vehicle to someone who is not eligible for a BH registration. But, during the transfer, the new owner will have to pay the registration fee and applicable taxes based on the regulations of the state/union territory. The subsequent owner will get a new registration number based on the RTO/authority’s registration sequence.

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Are BH Registered Vehicles Transferrable?

Yes, BH-registered vehicles are transferable to both BH-series eligible buyers and non-eligible buyers. In case the new owner is eligible for the BH-series, he/she will get a new BH-series registration number. However, if the new owner doesn’t comply with the BH-series eligibility criteria, he/she will get the regular registration number as per the registration sequence of the regional RTO.

Can I Apply For BH Series Number Plate With My Old Vehicle?

Yes, If an existing car owner holding a regional registration plate becomes eligible for BH and wants to re-register with a BH number plate, he/she can do so by filling the form no. 27(A) and submitting the form in the same state's RTO.

Who Is Eligible For The BH Series Number Plate?

If you fall under any of the following categories, you can apply for a BH-series number plate:

- Central and state government employees

- Employees of PSUs such as BHEL, ONGC, BSNL, etc.

- Defence personnel

- Employees of a company having offices in at least 4 states/UTs

What Happens If I Sell The BH Number Plate Series Vehicle?

If you sell your BH series vehicle and the new owner is eligible for BH series registration, he/she will receive a new BH series number plate as per the ongoing sequence of the regional RTO. However, if the new owner is not eligible for the BH series registration, he/she will get the regular series number plate as per the ongoing number sequence from the regional RTO.

Can I Transfer My Old BH Number To My New Vehicle?

No, if you plan to replace your current vehicle with a new one, you will get a new BH series number plate following the ongoing sequence of your regional transport office (RTO). Furthermore, the new owner of your vehicle will also get a new BH series number plate, if he or she is eligible.

Can I Sell My BH Series Car?

The BH series of vehicle registrations in India was introduced to facilitate seamless inter-state movement of vehicles. This allows vehicles registered under this scheme to be operated and sold across state lines without needing to re-register.

If you have a BH series car, you should be able to sell it like any other vehicle. However, there may be some specific documents or procedures you need to follow, especially if the buyer is from out of state.

Below are some general steps you may need to take to sell your BH series car:

• Transfer of Ownership: Ownership of the vehicle must be transferred to the buyer. This usually involves filling out the relevant forms and submitting them to the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
• Clearing Outstanding Dues: Make sure there are no dues on the vehicle, such as unpaid loans or outstanding fines.
• Sales Agreement: Draft a sales agreement with the buyer, outlining the terms and conditions of the sale.
• Document Delivery: Provide all required documents to the buyer including Registration Certificate (RC), insurance documents, Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC) and any other relevant documents.
• Payment: Receive payment for the sale of the buyer's vehicle.
• Inform the RTO: Inform the RTO about the sale of the vehicle by submitting the required forms and documents.
• Registration Transfer: If the buyer is from out of state, the vehicle registration may need to be transferred to your state. However, since BH series vehicles are already registered for interstate movement, this step may not be necessary.

It is always a good idea to consult the local RTO or a legal expert to ensure that you follow all the necessary procedures to sell your BH series car. Additionally, you should check to see if specific rules or regulations apply in your state or the buyer's state regarding the sale of BH series vehicles.

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