BH Number Plate in Chennai: Eligibility & How to Apply

Vehicle owners in Chennai who frequently relocate to different cities or states often face a tedious process when transferring their vehicle registration. It generally involves repeated paperwork, long hours at the RTO, and other time-consuming tasks. To address these problems, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced the BH (Bharat) series number plate in 2021.

Getting a BH registration in Chennai is the best way to avoid the hassle of re-registration. With this plate, you can easily move anywhere in India without worrying about changing your vehicle’s registration.

Before applying for a BH registration in Chennai, make sure you have paid the road tax on your vehicle and obtained a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. Meeting these conditions allows you to skip the old system of changing your registration every time you move, giving you a truly nationwide vehicle number.

For those who qualify for a BH series number plate, the application process is simple but requires a few formal steps. Here’s how it works:

• Step 1: Go to the government’s Parivahan website,, which is the official platform for vehicle registration.
• Step 2: Navigate to “Online Services,” select “Vehicle-Related Services,” and then click on “Tamil Nadu” as your state.
• Step 3: Log in with credentials and navigate the application form for new vehicle registration or transfer of vehicle ownership.
• Step 4: Upload the paperwork, including proof of employment, identity, and address. The employer also needs to certify the applicant’s eligibility.
• Step 5: Pay the motor vehicle tax and registration charges online. The tax is calculated based on the vehicle's invoice value.

Once approved, the applicant is issued a BH registration number in the format YY BH #### XX. By completing these steps, the vehicle gains nationwide registration, allowing movement across states without the need for re-registration.

Applying for a BH registration in Chennai is simple, but it does require the right documents and approvals. Here’s the process explained in easy steps:

• Step 1: Ask an authorised vehicle dealer to help. Dealers can fill out Form 20 online on the applicant’s behalf.
• Step 2: The state transport authorities then review all submitted details to confirm if your registration meets the BH series requirements.
• Step 3: Upload essential paperwork, such as the working certificate (Form 60) or a copy of the official ID card, for verification.
• Step 4: After the Regional Transport Office (RTO) approves the application, you or the dealer can easily pay the required fee or road tax online to complete the registration.

Once these steps are completed, the BH number plate is issued, allowing the vehicle to be driven anywhere in India without the need for re-registration.

Applicants must provide a few major documents when applying for a BH series registration in Chennai, which mainly include:

• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Form 60
• Official ID Proof
• Company’s GST Registration Certificate

The BH 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 number plate registration, ensuring it remains limited to private use only.

The BH series registration in Chennai is not available to every vehicle owner, which makes it a special option. It is specially designed for people who often move between states for work and meet certain criteria:

• Government and Public Sector Staff: Employees of the central or state government, defence personnel, administrative service officers, and staff of public sector undertakings (PSUs) can apply. Bank employees working in government-owned banks are also eligible.
• Private Sector Professionals: If you work for a private company that has offices in four or more states or Union Territories, you qualify for a BH number plate. This is mainly ideal for professionals who may be transferred regularly.
• Job Transfers Across States: Anyone whose role requires frequent relocation to different states can benefit from this registration, avoiding the hassle of repeated re-registration.

Renewing a BH series registration in Chennai is straightforward. Road tax is paid every two years, and after the first 14 years, it becomes an annual payment. Here’s how vehicle owners in Chennai can renew their BH number plate:

• Step 1: Visit the official Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Parivahan Sewa) website to begin the renewal process.
• Step 2: Log in, navigate to “Pay Your Tax” under Online Services, and choose Chennai as the state.
• Step 3: Provide the last five digits of your chassis and registration number. The system will display your vehicle details along with the road tax amount due.
• Step 4: Select the road tax payment option for two years or multiples of two years (e.g., four or six years). Complete the payment, and the system will update your next due date.
• Step 5: After payment, your renewal status is updated on the portal, and a confirmation with the next payment date will be provided.

A BH registration in Chennai does not affect your motor insurance premium. The cost is generally based on several factors, like the car’s model, age, and location, not the plate type. However, a valid motor insurance policy such as commercial vehicle insurance is still required under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 to keep the vehicle legally protected on the road.

The launch of the BH registration in Chennai has been a positive step for vehicle owners who relocate frequently. While there were a few initial challenges, the government has addressed them effectively.

Eligible owners benefit from considerable cost savings and even enjoy the freedom to drive anywhere in India without the hassle of repeated vehicle re-registration.