BH Number Plate in West Bengal: Eligibility & How to Apply

For those living in West Bengal, regular job transfers can make vehicle registration a time-wasting chore—queues at the RTO, high one-time fees, and tedious paperwork with each shift. This problem is especially prevalent among defence personnel, government officials, corporate executives, and IT professionals who frequently shift between states.

To ease life, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) launched the BH (Bharat) Series number plate in September 2021 —a two-year block-based road tax payable for pan-India vehicle registration validity. This eliminates the inconvenience of re-registration when shifting to a different state.

Effective March 18, 2024, West Bengal permits existing vehicles to change to BH series registration, in line with a MoRTH order. Owners may apply online through the Vahan portal or authorised dealers, and as per regulations, tax adjustments are made.

Here is the easy step-by-step procedure to apply for BH number plate in West Bengal via the online mode:

• Step 1: Visit the VAHAN Portal: Go to the official Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) portal.
• Step 2: Login: Input your credentials to access the application dashboard.
• Step 3: Enter Vehicle Details: Accurately fill in the necessary vehicle and personal information.
• Step 4: Upload Documents: Provide scanned copies of required documents, such as identity proof, employment verification, and vehicle paperwork.
• Step 5: Make Payment: Finalise the road tax payment through the online system.

Once the application and documents are verified, the BH series registration number will be assigned to the vehicle.

The following are the steps to apply for a BH series number plate in West Bengal using the offline method:

• Step 1: Approach an Authorised Dealer: Go to your automobile dealer to start the BH series application process.
• Step 2: Form Submission: The dealer will complete Form 20 on the VAHAN portal for you.
• Step 3: Provide Documents: Hand over the necessary documents and information to the dealer for processing.
• Step 4: Application Verification: After payment, the authorities verify the application, and the BH series registration number will be issued.

The offline method is advantageous for applicants who seek help in fulfilling the requirements.

Mentioned below is the list of documents applicants need to furnish while availing a BH registration in West Bengal:

• Aadhaar card (for identity verification and address proof)
• Official Work ID Card (for employees in both government and private sectors)
• Form 60 (for private sector employees)
• PAN card
• Employment Certificate (for private sector employees at companies operating in multiple states)
• Vehicle Invoice and Insurance Certificate
• PUC Certificate (Pollution Under Control 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 Series registration, ensuring it remains limited to private use only.

Before you apply for a BH number plate in West Bengal, it is crucial to verify that you fulfil the eligibility criteria:

• Defence personnel
• State or government employees
• Bank employees
• Administrative service employees
• Individuals working in public sector undertakings like ONGC, BHEL, BSNL, etc.
• Private employees in companies with offices in more than four states or union territories across India.

Before submitting the application for the BH number plate in West Bengal, it is necessary to confirm that you have paid the road tax for your automobile and have a valid pollution under control check certificate.

Here are the detailed steps to renew the BH registration in West Bengal successfully:

1. Step 1: Visit the Parivahan Portal: Access the official Ministry of Road Transport and Highways portal, Parivahan Sewa, to start the renewal process.
2. Step 2: Login and Access Services: Choose “Pay Your Tax” from the Online Services menu, and select West Bengal as your state.
3. Step 3: Enter Automobile Details: Input the last five digits of your chassis number along with your registration number. The system will automatically retrieve your vehicle details and show the outstanding tax amount.
4. Step 4: Make the Payment: Choose the payment period, usually two years or a multiple of that, like four or six years. Complete the payment using the available options.
5. Step 5: Receive Confirmation: After a successful payment, the portal will update your vehicle’s tax status and show the next due date on your record. You can also download the payment receipt for your records.

Having a BH number plate in West Bengal does not alter your duties as a vehicle owner according to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Like any other vehicle, you are required to have a valid motor insurance policy such as bike insurance.

However, the BH series will have no impact on your insurance premium—it will be determined based on factors such as your vehicle's brand, model, age, and usage, rather than the type of number plate.

For those who live in West Bengal and have transferable employment, the BH number plate offers unparalleled convenience. It eliminates the nuisance of re-registration, features flexible payment of tax in two years, and provides countrywide validity.

With the state now allowing conversion of existing registrations into BH registration in West Bengal, it's the perfect time to make the move. Just make sure that you qualify, apply via the VAHAN portal or an authorised dealer, and experience a smoother vehicle ownership experience despite frequent relocations.