Understanding the Types of Number Plates in India

The different types of car number plates on the road can be very confusing sometimes.

This article covers everything you need to know about the different types of car number plates roaming around the roads of India, so the next time you’re out and someone asks about this, you’ll be well ahead with your answer ready. 

Decoding the different types of Number Plates

Pro tip: Number plates are not just to fulfill the legal requirements but also to make your vehicle recognizable amongst a variety of other vehicles on the road. 

These number plates are not just a combination of numbers, letters, and colors but also tell a story about your vehicle in itself.

These number plates act as a unique signature of your vehicle, distinguishing them from either blue, white, yellow, red, or other such number plates. 

Let’s get deeper into this segment and understand these different car number plates in detail. 

• White Number Plate:

The easiest way to understand a white number plate is that these are the ones you have and will mostly find across the streets of India.

These number plates represent a personal vehicle that is used by the general public for their personal use. 

These car number plates are a combination of your state code, district code, and vehicle’s unique registration number. 

Another thing to note about these number plates is that since they belong for personal use, they cannot be used for commercial purposes such as transportation, ferrying passengers, etc. 

• Yellow Number Plate:

Ever been fascinated by the famous yellow taxis roaming in Mumbai? These signify commercial vehicles, and unlike the white number plates, they’re used for vehicles such as taxis, buses, and trucks.

For the vehicles that are being used as taxis, it’s a legal requirement to use yellow-colored number plates. 

These number plates were introduced to create a distinction between private vehicles and commercial vehicles.

One more thing that distinguishes yellow number plates from white ones is the way the code is written on them. The yellow plates start with a two-letter state code. 

• Green Number Plate:

To promote electric vehicles and a green environment, green number plates are given out.

These green number plates are given to pure electric vehicles or hybrids that meet certain standards, like hybrids having a minimum electric range of 40km and pure electrics having a minimum electric range of 80km.

The benefits of these green number plates are numerous: parking privileges, toll fees, tax advantages, and preferential parking systems, among others.

• Red Number Plate: 

Red number plates are used for vehicles that are still in their testing phase. These number plates are for vehicles that are not yet registered with Regional Transport Offices (RTO) but are used on the roads to test these vehicles before they become available to the public. 

These red number plates signify that the vehicle is yet to be registered permanently and is still in its testing phase. 

• Blue Number Plate:

Blue number plates signify vehicles that belong to diplomats, such as the Foreign Ambassadors.

These plates are given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it is a necessity for all diplomatic vehicles involved in diplomatic business to have them. 

These plates also have a national emblem embodied on them to state the country’s diplomatic status.

• Black Number Plate: 

Black car number plates are specifically for commercial cars, and no private car can have them.

Different states might have different rules and procedures regarding the black number plates; however, one thing that remains the same is the necessity of using them for commercial purposes. 

• Number plate with upward-pointing arrows:

Such number plates with upward-pointing arrows are reserved only for army forces and navy forces; these plates hold a special place in the country and cannot be used by just anyone.

These number plates are issued by the Ministry of Defense and are mandatory for all army vehicles, navy vehicles, air force vehicles, and any other such vehicle.

Other than the special plates, these vehicles also have access to special lanes for certain emergency vehicles. 

• Red Number Plate with Emblem of India: 

For vehicles that are specifically owned and controlled by the central government or state government, there are number plates with the emblem of India.

These vehicles with the red number plate with the Emblem of India are specifically reserved for high-ranking officials, government officials, diplomats, or other senior dignitaries.

These car number plates are strictly reserved for government vehicles, and no other vehicle can have them.

These vehicles are adorned with the lion capital of Ashoka along with the words “Satyameva Jayate.”. 

These plates, each with their unique features, signify a lot, such as the district the vehicle belongs to, its registration number, its state code, and sometimes even the purpose of the vehicle. Hope your curiosity is quenched now!