BH Number Plate in Bangalore: Eligibility & How to Apply

For vehicle owners in Bangalore with transferable jobs, frequent relocations can bring major hassles. They may include long lines at the RTO office, a hefty one-time road tax payment and cumbersome paperwork in transferring vehicle registration. This is particularly the case for IT professionals, startup employees, and corporate professionals changing locations from one city to another for job opportunities or project assignments.

To address these problems, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced the BH (Bharat) series number plate in 2021. Under this system, there is a single registration accompanied by payments in two-year instalments, which gives pan-Indian access. This eliminates the need for repeated RTO visits and re-registration when relocating to another state or city.

It is a simple process to apply for a BH series number plate in Bangalore via the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Vahan Portal. Here are the steps to follow:

• Step 1: Open the Vahan Portal: Go to the official Parivahan Portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Navigate to "Online Services" and then to "Vehicle Related Services".
• Step 2: Select Application: Select your state as Karnataka, and then enter your vehicle registration number, choose RTO, and click on "Proceed".
• Step 3: Vehicle Details: Enter details as requested, i.e., vehicle type, chassis number, engine number, and personal details.
• Step 4: Document Upload: Upload documents such as:
  • Proof of identity (Aadhaar, passport, or government ID)
  • Proof of address
  • Documents for vehicle insurance
• Step 5: Fee payment: Pay the relevant registration fee and road tax via the online portal.

After your application is processed, you shall receive an SMS or email notification with information regarding your BH series number plate. Go to the nearest RTO in Bangalore and have your BH series number plate affixed on your vehicle.

For those who prefer personal guidance, offline mode facilitates hassle-free processing with support at every step:

• Step 1: Visit a Dealer: Go to any authorised vehicle dealer in Bangalore for submission of your BH series registration application.
• Step 2: Filing of Form: The dealer will electronically submit Form 20 on your behalf on the Vahan Portal.
• Step 3: Submission of Mandatory Document: Submit:
  • Employment proof (letter or certificate)
  • Identity proof (passport, Aadhaar, or govt. ID)
  • Documents of the vehicle (invoice, RC, insurance, and PUC certificate)
• Step 4: Verification of Eligibility: Your employment, eligibility, and BH registration compliance are verified by state transport departments.

Upon verification, your BH registration is authorised by the RTO. Pay pending fees or motor vehicle tax online. Your BH registration number is made available after processing, and your vehicle can now travel in any Indian state or union territory without re-registration.

When applying for a BH series number plate in Bangalore, vehicle owners have to provide some essential documents to facilitate registration:

• Proof of Eligibility: A certificate or letter issued by the employer establishing eligibility for BH registration.
• Form 20: Government-approved vehicle registration form.
• Form 60: Only for employees of private companies, to establish work and company affiliation.
• Proof of Address and Identity: Government-issued photo identification like Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence for proof of address and identity.
• Vehicle Documents: Original registration certificate (RC), motor insurance policy, pollution under control (PUC) certificate, and vehicle invoice for road tax calculation.

The BH series number plate is reserved exclusively for personal, non-transport vehicles like passenger cars and two-wheelers. Commercial vehicles such as buses, taxis, and trucks are not eligible for BH Series registration, ensuring it remains limited to private use only.

The eligibility criteria to apply for a BH series number plate in Bangalore are:

• Government Employees: Permanent employees of the central or state government departments are considered eligible.
• Defence Staff: Officers of the armed forces, defence personnel, and paramilitary personnel are eligible to register vehicles under the BH Series.
• PSU Staff: Public Sector Undertaking staff having offices in four or more states or union territories are eligible to apply for BH registration.
• Private Sector Employees: Private sector employees who work in companies having offices in multiple states are eligible. It is beneficial for IT staff, employees from startups, and corporate employees who work in Bangalore and are transferred periodically.

Other Eligibility Conditions:

• Documentary Proof: Applicants must provide proof of employment, such as an official employment certificate, work ID, or company letter.
• Vehicle Compliance: The vehicle should be registered in the name of the owner and should meet all the legal requirements, such as having valid insurance, a pollution under control (PUC) certificate, and a registration certificate (RC).
• Compliance with Regulations: Vehicles must comply with the road safety and emission regulations of the locality in order to have a seamless registration of BH and legal interstate transportation.

Bangalore vehicle owners who meet these requirements benefit from nationwide registration validity, convenient road tax payments, and hassle-free documentation.

Renewal of a BH series number plate in Bangalore is an easy online process through the Parivahan Portal. Here are the steps to follow:

• Step 1: Go to the Parivahan Portal: Visit the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) official Parivahan Sewa website.
• Step 2: Log in and Choose Services: Under “Online Services”, select "Pay Your Tax" and then choose Karnataka as the state. Click on "Renew Registration".
• Step 3: Provide Vehicle Details: Provide your vehicle registration number and the last five characters of your chassis. The portal will retrieve your vehicle details and show any pending road tax.
• Step 4: Verify Ownership: Provide documents, if needed, to verify vehicle ownership and meet legal requirements.
• Step 5: Choose the Renewal Period: Select the renewal period—two years or multiples thereof (four, six, or eight years) as per convenience.

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is compulsory to have a valid motor insurance policy such as commercial vehicle insurance regardless of what type of registration your vehicle has. The premium amount is determined based on factors like vehicle age, type, driver’s past record and more.

In this regard, opting for a comprehensive vehicle insurance plan provides better coverage, albeit for a slightly higher premium than third-party plans. Having a BH registration has no impact on the premium amount.

A BH series number plate in Bangalore offers nationwide vehicle registration validity, convenient road tax payments, and minimum paperwork. It facilitates hassle-free interstate travel, ease of compliance, and long-term convenience to professionals who need to relocate frequently.

With swift online application and renewal via the Parivahan portal, Bangalore drivers can enjoy a fast and seamless vehicle registration process, saving both effort and time.