Demystifying the Tax Landscape of Motor Vehicles in India: Understanding the Tax Structure Associated with Bharat Registration Serial Number Plate (BRSNP)

 

An Overview

The Bharat Registration Serial Number Plate, commonly known as the "BRSNP," is a unique identification plate that is affixed to motor vehicles in India. It is a standardized format of license plate that was introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in April 2019, as part of the government's efforts to enhance road safety and streamline vehicle registration processes in the country. The BRSNP follows a uniform design and color scheme across all states and union territories in India, making it easily recognizable and identifiable.

Format of Bharat Registeration Serial Number Plate

YY BH #### XX 

The above is the format of the Bharat series number plates in India.

Here,

• YY represents the original year of registration,
• BH represents the Bharat Series code,
• #### is the random number between 0000 to 9999 chosen for the number plate, and
• XX stands for any alphabet between AA to ZZ.

 

Features of Bharat Registration Serial Number Plate

The BRSNP has several distinct features that make it unique and different from the previous license plate formats used in India. Some of the key features of the BRSNP are:

Uniform Design: The BRSNP follows a uniform design and color scheme across all states and union territories in India. It consists of a white background with black lettering for private vehicles, and yellow background with black lettering for commercial vehicles.

Laser-etched Alpha-Numeric Characters: The registration number on the BRSNP is laser-etched, which makes it tamper-proof and more durable. The alpha-numeric characters are embossed on the plate, with a 10-digit format that includes a combination of letters and numbers.

Security Features: The BRSNP incorporates several security features to prevent counterfeiting and tampering. These features include a hologram sticker with a chromium-based 3D logo of Ashoka Chakra, which changes color when viewed from different angles, and a hot-stamped film that displays the registration number and other details in a unique pattern.

Retro-reflective Material: The BRSNP uses retro-reflective material for the registration number, which enhances visibility and readability of the license plate, especially during low light conditions. The retro-reflective material reflects light back towards its source, making it easier for other vehicles and law enforcement agencies to identify the registration number from a distance.

QR Code: The BRSNP also includes a QR code that contains details such as the vehicle's registration number, owner's name, and other relevant information. This QR code can be scanned using a QR code reader or a smartphone app to quickly access and verify the vehicle's details.

 

Benefits of Bharat Registration Serial Number Plate

The introduction of the BRSNP has brought several benefits to the Indian road transport system. Some of the key benefits of the BRSNP are:

Enhanced Road Safety: The BRSNP's retro-reflective material and standardized design improve the visibility and readability of the license plate, which helps in quick identification of vehicles on the road. This contributes to enhanced road safety by reducing the chances of accidents due to misidentification of vehicles or fake license plates.

Streamlined Vehicle Registration: The BRSNP follows a uniform design and color scheme across all states and union territories, which helps in streamlining the vehicle registration process. This makes it easier for vehicle owners to register their vehicles in any part of the country without facing any inconsistencies in the license plate format.

Improved Law Enforcement: The BRSNP's security features, such as the laser-etched alpha-numeric characters, hologram sticker, and QR code, help in preventing counterfeiting and tampering of license plates. This enables law enforcement agencies to easily verify the authenticity of the license plate and track down vehicles involved in illegal activities.

Easy Identification: The BRSNP's unique 10-digit format and standardized design make it easy to identify vehicles on the road. This is particularly useful in case of accidents, thefts, or other incidents where the license plate plays a crucial role in identifying the vehicle and its owner. The laser-etched alpha-numeric characters and retro-reflective material ensure that the license plate remains visible and legible, even from a distance or in low light conditions, making it easier for law enforcement agencies, emergency services, and other road users to quickly identify a vehicle with a BRSNP.

Deterrent to Vehicle Theft and Fraud: The BRSNP's security features, including the hologram sticker, QR code, and laser-etched characters, make it difficult for thieves and fraudsters to tamper with or counterfeit license plates. This acts as a deterrent to vehicle theft and fraud, as the BRSNP provides a higher level of authenticity and traceability compared to previous license plate formats.

Improved Traceability and Accountability: The QR code on the BRSNP enables quick access to vehicle details, including the owner's name and contact information, which enhances traceability and accountability. In case of any violation or incident involving a vehicle with a BRSNP, the QR code can be scanned to identify the owner, making it easier for authorities to take appropriate action and hold the owner accountable.

Standardization and Interoperability: The BRSNP follows a standardized design and color scheme across all states and union territories in India, ensuring interoperability and consistency in license plate formats. This standardization makes it easier for vehicles to move across different states without facing issues related to license plate compliance or recognition.

Eligibility Criteria in Specific State

Those eligible for the BH number series include:

1. State and Central Government employees
2. Defense sector
3. Bank employees
4. Administrative services
5. Private firm employees who have offices in more than four States or Union Territories.

The reason to bring the BH series license plate is to save the time and energy of the citizens from the annoyances of transfers of vehicles each time they relocate

Road Tax for BH Series Vehicles  

For vehicles with BH series number plates, road tax is valid for the first 14 years. Thereafter, it is mandatory to pay road tax annually except for private vehicles where road tax is levied every two years or multiples of two years.  

Invoice price of the car	Road tax or motor vehicle tax (MV tax)
less than Rs.10 lakh	8% of invoice price (2% extra for vehicles which run on diesel)
Rs.10 lakh-Rs.20 lakh	10% of the invoice price (2% less for electric vehicles)
more than Rs.20 lakh	12% of the invoice price (2% less for electric vehicles)

Step-by-step guide on how to get Bharat (BH) series car registration

Step 1: Purchase a New Car: To avail the Bharat (BH) series car registration, you would need to purchase a new car that is eligible for registration under this scheme. The BH series registration is primarily meant for vehicles purchased in states other than where the owner resides or has a business, and it allows for a unified registration format across states in India.

Step 2: Obtain Required Documents: Once you have purchased the new car, you would need to gather the following documents:

a) Proof of Address: This could be any valid address proof such as Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID card, or utility bills in the name of the vehicle owner.

b) Proof of Identity: This could be any valid identity proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or driver's license.

c) Sale Certificate/Form 21: This is a document provided by the dealer at the time of purchase and certifies the sale of the vehicle to the buyer.

d) Form 20: This is the application form for vehicle registration, which needs to be filled with accurate information about the vehicle and the owner.

e) Form 22: This is the roadworthiness certificate issued by the manufacturer or an authorized testing agency for the vehicle.

f) Insurance Certificate: This is the valid insurance certificate covering the vehicle as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

g) Customs Clearance Certificate (if applicable): This is required if the vehicle is imported.

Step 3: Visit the RTO: Visit the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or the designated transport authority in your area with all the required documents. Submit the completed Form 20, Form 21, Form 22, insurance certificate, customs clearance certificate (if applicable), and other relevant documents to the RTO officer.

Step 4: Pay Fees: Pay the applicable fees for vehicle registration, road tax, and any other charges as per the RTO's instructions. The fee structure may vary depending on the type of vehicle, engine capacity, and other factors.

Step 5: Vehicle Inspection: The RTO officer may inspect the vehicle to ensure it meets the required standards and roadworthiness criteria.

Step 6: Get Bharat (BH) Series Registration: If all the documents are in order and the vehicle meets the required criteria, the RTO officer will assign the Bharat (BH) series registration number to your vehicle. The BH series registration number will start with "BH" followed by a unique alphanumeric sequence.

Step 7: Get Number Plates: Once you receive the Bharat (BH) series registration number, you need to get the vehicle number plates made as per the specified format and design, which may include the BRSNP as per the applicable rules and regulations.

Step 8: Collect Registration Certificate (RC): The RTO officer will provide you with a Registration Certificate (RC) after the vehicle is successfully registered, which serves as proof of registration and ownership.

Following these steps and fulfilling the requirements of the RTO, you can get the Bharat (BH) series car registration for your newly purchased vehicle. It's important to note that the specific procedures and requirements may vary depending on the state or union territory in India, and it's advisable to check with the local transport authorities or refer to official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information on BH series car registration in a particular jurisdiction.

 

Conclusion

The Bharat Registration Serial Number Plate (BRSNP) is a standardized license plate format introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India to enhance road safety, streamline vehicle registration processes, and prevent counterfeiting and tampering of license plates. With its unique design, laser-etched alpha-numeric characters, retro-reflective material, security features, and QR code, the BRSNP offers improved visibility, traceability, and accountability for motor vehicles. It has brought several benefits, including enhanced road safety, streamlined vehicle registration, improved law enforcement, easy identification, deterrent to vehicle theft and fraud, and standardization and interoperability. The BRSNP is a significant step towards modernizing India's road transport system and ensuring a safer and more efficient experience for all road users.

 

Article Compiled by:-

Mayank Garg

+91 9582627751

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to avoid errors or omissions in this material in spite of this, errors may creep in. Any mistake, error or discrepancy noted may be brought to our notice which shall be taken care of in the next edition In no event the author shall be liable for any direct indirect, special or incidental damage resulting from or arising out of or in connection with the use of this information Many sources have been considered including newspapers, Journals, Bare Acts, Case Material. Charted Secretary etc.

 

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