Do you know how many types of Car Number plates are in India?
India is surely known for its diverse culture but little do you know that India also has a diverse range of Car Number plates. Yes, it does sound surprising but not two, not three, not four India has a total of eight different car number plates that are distinguished with the help of a range of colors and emblems with each color representing different meanings.
Read this article further to explore the many kinds of number plates that are used in India and their meanings. Knowing the many kinds of license plates can give visitors and locals alike important insights into the customs, laws, and rules governing India's transportation network.
The most common number plate you will see on the roads of India is used for personal vehicles. This type of number plate features black numbers and letters on a white background. The format is basically on the state or union territory in which the car is registered.
The state code of Maharashtra is "UP", the district code is "XY", and the vehicle registration number is "CD 2355". As an example, a personal vehicle's white number plate in this state will read "UP XY "CD 2355".
This time before you sit in a taxi, or bus or see a bus passing near you, do not forget to check out the color of its number plate. These number plates feature black letters and numbers on a yellow background. The yellow number plate system was introduced in India to distinguish commercial vehicles from private ones. The yellow color was chosen as it is easily distinguishable from the white color used for private vehicles. Apart from the color, the format of the yellow number plate is also different from that of private vehicles.
For example, a taxi in UP might have a number plate reading “UP 03 TA 1234”, where “UP” is the state code for Uttar Pradesh, “TA” denotes that it is a taxi, and “1234” is the registration number.
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Electric Vehicle is already witnessing a steep increase in sales in India. Thus, to distinguish EVs in India, India has a different nameplate that perfectly reflects the EV concept- The green plate.
The plate features a green background with white lettering and numbers an emblem of a white lotus with green petals and a plug in the center.
Also, it must be taken into account that only completely electric and hybrid cars that satisfy certain requirements which include having a minimum electric range of 40 km for hybrid cars and 80 km for fully electric vehicles are eligible to receive the green license plate. With the plate, EV owners can also benefit from some government-provided incentives and privileges, including priority parking, a waiver of some tolls, and more benefits.
Red number plates are for vehicles in India that are going through temporary registration or are being used for testing. These red number plates are used to indicate that the vehicle has not yet been issued a permanent registration number. Red is the color to indicate danger. It is valid for 30 days. However, some states may not allow you to drive with this type of vehicle number plate. So, It's important to keep in mind that different Indian states may have different laws governing temporary registration number plates. It is always a good idea to inquire about specific regulations and procedures with the responsible party, which is usually the local RTO.
The concept of Self-rental cars in India has been a long game. In India, cars and bikes that are rented out on their own are seen with black license plates. They have commercial vehicle registrations. To operate a vehicle with a black number plate, the driver does not need a commercial driver's license, though. On a black background, these number plates include yellow letters and numbers. These vehicles are rented out to individuals who wish to drive themselves, typically for a short period.
Blue license plate in India usually belongs to a foreign diplomatic mission like an embassy. These plates are given out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all diplomatic vehicles and vehicles used for official diplomatic business must have them. The number plate displays CC denoting Consular Corps, UN denoting United Nations, DC (Diplomat Corps), etc. Ir can also be noted that not all vehicles belonging to foreign diplomatic missions in India need to be required to use blue number plates. Some vehicles may use regular Indian license plates or other special plates depending on their specific status and purpose.
The easiest way to know if a person is in the military or not is to check their number plate. A number plate with an upward-pointing arrow is typically used to indicate that the vehicle belongs to the armed forces. This type of number plate is reserved for the armed forces, such as the army and navy. Most of the time, cars with armed forces license plates don’t have to follow certain traffic rules and regulations, like speed limits and parking rules. Additionally, they may be allowed to use special lanes or routes that are reserved for emergency vehicles.
The most prestigious number plate is the Red number plate with the Emblem of India which is only issued to vehicles that are owned and operated by the central government or state governments. High-ranking government officials, diplomats, and other dignitaries may travel in these vehicles. These license plates bear the national emblem of India, which consists of an exact duplicate of Ashoka's Lion Capital and the words "Satyameva Jayate" in Devanagari script, which translates to "Truth Alone Triumphs" in English.
It is important to note that the use of red number plates with the emblem of India is strictly reserved for government-owned vehicles in India. Private vehicles are not allowed to have this type of number plate, and doing so can result in fines or other penalties.
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