India Vehicle Number Plates Colour Scheme 2026 - MoRTH Colour Code & HSRP Rules

Central government's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a notification on 16 July 2020 to remove any confusion regarding the colour scheme of vehicle number plates in India. Under this scheme, battery operated vehicles continue to display alpha numerals in yellow colour with a green background. Vehicles with temporary registration display alpha numerals in red with a yellow background, while vehicles in possession of dealers display alpha numerals in white with a red background. This article explains the complete colour code scheme of number plates of Indian vehicles.

MoRTH issued this notification to fix the errors in the chapter on "The assignment of registration mark on vehicles for various States and Union Territories at a glimpse". The items were tabulated so that the colour of the alpha numerals and the background of the registration plate for different classes and categories of vehicles are clearly shown.

This notification only brings clarity and does not prescribe anything new for the plates. Earlier, the central government had prescribed different registration marks for vehicles across states and union territories. Now it has prescribed the colour of alpha numerals and the background on registration plates for different categories of vehicles.

Colour Scheme of Vehicle Number Plates in India

Indian vehicle number plates come in 8 different colour combinations as per the colour scheme of vehicle number plates in India:

• Private vehicle number plates have black lettering on a white background. This is the most common plate seen on cars and two-wheelers across the country.
• Commercial vehicles, such as taxis, buses and lorries, have black lettering on a yellow background.
• Yellow lettering on a black background is used to denote a rental vehicle.
• White lettering on a light blue background indicates that the vehicle belongs to a foreign embassy or consulate.
• Number plates of battery operated vehicles, i.e. electric vehicles, have alpha numerals in yellow colour with a green background.
• Vehicles with a temporary registration number display alpha numerals in red with a yellow background.
• Dealer vehicles display alpha numerals in white with a red background.
• The 8th form of number plate is special and exclusive. It features the state emblem of India in gold on a red background. This number plate is for President of India or one of the governors of a state or union territory.

Electric vehicles are identified by their green number plates with yellow lettering. Buyers can also check the FAME India scheme for subsidy details on electric vehicles.

Besides standard registration numbers, India also offers vanity plates, though the options are limited. The only bits customers can choose are the last four digits and the series of the number plate. Only numbers that have never been used are on offer. People must check the India Vehicle Number Plates Colour Scheme before getting one for their 2 or 4 wheeler vehicles.

Colour Code Table for Indian Vehicle Number Plates

Here is the complete colour code table for Indian vehicle number plates:

Vehicle Type	Alpha Numerals Colour	Background Colour
Private vehicles	Black	White
Commercial vehicles (taxi, bus, lorry)	Black	Yellow
Rental vehicles	Yellow	Black
Foreign embassy or consulate vehicles	White	Light blue
Electric (battery operated) vehicles	Yellow	Green
Temporary registration vehicles	Red	Yellow
Dealer vehicles	White	Red
President / Governors	Gold (state emblem)	Red

Security of Vehicle Number Plates in India (HSRP)

Since 2005, India has a law on new secure number plates called High Security Registration Plates (HSRP). However, the rollout has been slow and is still not complete in some states. These number plates have special security features and can be fitted and removed only with a special device. If these registration plates are tampered with, they become unusable. In such cases, it becomes impossible to fit different plates on the vehicle.

Another security element for vehicle number plates is a registration mark hologram sticker that is affixed to the windscreen. It contains the registration number, the number of the transport authority issuing the plate, engine number, body number and a lasered PIN code. The PIN can be read with a special laser camera. The sticker is non-transferable and becomes unusable if removed. The aim is to improve the protection of vehicles from theft and to prevent criminals from using stolen number plates for their activities.

HSRP booking is done online through state portals. For example, Haryana HSRP online registration, UP HSRP apply online and Delhi HSRP registration have separate booking links.

New Notification for Colour Scheme of Number Plates for Vehicles

The notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said, "Earlier, the Ministry had prescribed different registration marks on vehicles for various states and union territories under sub-section (6) of section 41 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988) vide S.O.444(E), dated the 12th June, 1989. Later, the Ministry vide SO 827 (E) dated 11th November, 1992 amended the S.O.444(E), dated the 12th June, 1989 to prescribe the colour of the alpha numerals and the background registration plate for different classes and categories of vehicles."

Also, the Ministry vide GSR 901 (E) dated 13/12/2001 prescribed the colour scheme for the registration plate for transport and non transport classes of vehicles. The Ministry noticed that the amendment in the chapter, "The assignment of registration mark on vehicles for various States and Union Territories at a glimpse" inserted vide S.O. 444(E), dated the 12th June, 1989 was left out. Because of this, some ambiguities were noticed. So this notification has been issued to bring clarity.

In simple words, this notification prescribes no new regulation for vehicle number plates and has been issued only to make things clear. As stated above, the ministry had earlier prescribed different registration marks for vehicles across different states and union territories. Later, the ministry prescribed the colour scheme for the alpha numerals as well as the background on registration plates for different categories of vehicles. This had caused some confusion, so the new notification was issued.

Significance of Characters in Indian Vehicle Number Plates Colour Scheme

The first two characters of an Indian registration number are letters denoting the state or union territory, of which there are 36 in India. Next are two digits indicating the regional transport authority within the state or territory that issued the registration number. After that, there are one, two or three letters showing the current series of registration numbers. The final four digits are the number unique to the plate.

The last feature of a number plate is the IND sign on the left. Above that is Ashoka Chakra (the symbol depicted on the Indian flag), and below it is the number plate's lasered PIN code. Some states and territories (such as the National Capital Territory of Delhi) add an extra letter before the series explained above to designate the vehicle type. Each state can use its own set of codes for this purpose. Delhi, for example, makes a distinction between motorbikes, cars, electric vehicles, public transport vehicles, three-wheeled rickshaws, taxis, pick-up trucks, and rental vehicles.

FAQ's

What is the colour scheme of vehicle number plates in India?

Private vehicles have black lettering on a white background, commercial vehicles have black lettering on a yellow background, rental vehicles have yellow lettering on a black background, and electric vehicles have yellow lettering on a green background. Temporary registration vehicles display red lettering on a yellow background and dealer vehicles display white lettering on a red background.

What colour number plate do electric vehicles have in India?

Electric vehicles, also called battery operated vehicles, display alpha numerals in yellow colour with a green background.

What is HSRP in vehicle number plates?

HSRP stands for High Security Registration Plate. India has had a law on these secure number plates since 2005. They carry special security features and can be fitted and removed only with a special device.