Disadvantages of BH Number Plate Registration You Must Know

The BH number plate, also known as the Bharat series number plate, is a new initiative by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) of India. It was introduced in 2021, aiming to provide a unified vehicle registration number across India. 

Despite several advantages, including not needing to re-register with the State’s Road Transport Office (RTO) when moving to different states and a relatively low upfront cost, the BH number plate also has some disadvantages. If you are planning to opt for a BH series number plate for your vehicle, you must know these drawbacks before making a decision. 

Check out the major disadvantages of BH number plates in the section below:

• Restricted Eligibility

The restricted eligibility for the Bharat Series (BH) number plate is one of its key disadvantages. This initiative is designed for individuals working in specific sectors, limiting its availability to a select group. 

The eligible categories include central and state government employees, employees of nationalised banks, employees of public sector undertakings (PSUs), and professionals working in private firms with offices in 4 or more states/UTs.

• Exclusion of Commercial Vehicles

It is essential to note that commercial vehicles, such as taxis, buses, and trucks, are not eligible for BH series registrations. They are only available for private, non-transport vehicles, preventing commercial operators from leveraging the pan-Indian registration validity benefits.

• Limited Buyers for Resale

Reselling a vehicle with a BH-number plate is quite challenging. The buyer must meet the specific eligibility criteria for a BH plate. Otherwise, the car must be registered with the state before the transfer of ownership is completed.

• Randomly Generated Registration Number

Every BH number plate has a randomly generated, unique 4-digit code. It is system-generated, and the vehicle owner has no control over the numbers or progression. This can be off-putting for individuals who prefer to have a specific set of numbers on their car/two-wheeler’s number plate.

• Recurrent Road Tax Payment  

Paying the road tax amount every two years for the next 14 years may strain the finances of individuals managing long-term debt. Moreover, owners need to be vigilant about renewing their road tax on time, which can be time-consuming and requires ongoing attention to the deadlines and processes involved. 

This added responsibility can be cumbersome, especially for those new to the system or accustomed to the varying procedures of state RTOs.

• Higher Initial Cost

The upfront cost of obtaining a BH number plate is comparatively higher than that of a standard registration. This is due to the way road tax is calculated for BH vehicles based on their ex-showroom price. 

Also, diesel vehicle owners will face higher costs compared to petrol and EV owners, as their road tax rate under the BH registration system is 2% higher.