HSRP number plate rule and the new RTO rules for plates, explained
The HSRP number plate rule says every vehicle made from 1 April 2019 must leave the dealer with a High Security Registration Plate. Older vehicles must switch where the state sets a deadline. Maharashtra's final date was 30 June 2026; since 1 July 2026, owners without HSRP face a Rs 1,000 fine and some RTO services are put on hold.
Key takeaways
- The national HSRP number plate rule comes from Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and the HSRP Order of 6 December 2018.
- Vehicles made on or after 1 April 2019 get HSRP fitted by the dealer; older ones depend on state orders.
- In Maharashtra the last date was 30 June 2026, after two earlier target dates were moved.
- Since 1 July 2026, Maharashtra fines older vehicles without HSRP Rs 1,000 and withholds services such as ownership transfer.
- Wider number plate rules fix the colours, sizes, script and spacing; names, logos and fancy fonts are not allowed.
- Changing the plate never changes your registration number; a new number only comes with re-registration.
On this page · 24 sections
HSRP number plate rule: what does it say?
The HSRP number plate rule is a central requirement that every registration plate be a tamper-proof High Security Registration Plate. It sits in Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and in the Motor Vehicles (High Security Registration Plates) Order dated 6 December 2018. States then decide how the older fleet switches over.
The two halves of the rule
The rule works in two parts. For new vehicles it is automatic: from 1 April 2019 the manufacturer supplies the plates and the third registration mark, and the dealer fixes them before delivery. For older vehicles the centre left timing to each state, which is why dates differ across India.
Where the rule started
Rule 50 was first amended for tamper-proof plates on 1 June 2005. Rollout stalled in many states because suppliers had not been appointed and cases were in court. The 2018 order moved supply to vehicle makers, and that is what finally made the rule stick.
What are the number plate rules in India?
The number plate rules in India cover much more than HSRP. They fix what may appear on a plate, its colours, size, script and where it is mounted. Put simply, a plate may carry the registration number and the official security marks, and nothing else.
What a legal plate must show
A legal plate shows the state code, the RTO number, the series letters and the number, all in one standard style. On HSRP it also carries the chromium hologram, the IND mark and a laser code. Both front and rear plates must match the registration certificate (RC) exactly.
What a legal plate must not show
Names, caste or job titles, party symbols, slogans, cartoons and religious images are not allowed. Neither are stylised fonts that make 4 look like A or 8 look like B. Tinted covers and plates bent or mounted at an angle also fall outside the rules.
Which colours do number plate guidelines India set?
Number plate guidelines in India tie each plate colour to how the vehicle is used. Police can tell a taxi from a private car, or an electric car from a petrol one, from across a junction. Using the wrong colour is a plate offence even if the number is correct.
| Vehicle use | Plate background | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Private (non-transport) | White | Black |
| Commercial transport (taxi, goods) | Yellow | Black |
| Self-drive rental | Black | Yellow |
| Electric, private | Green | White |
| Electric, commercial | Green | Yellow |
| Temporary registration | Yellow | Red |
| Trade certificate (dealers) | Red | White |
| Diplomatic missions | Blue | White |
Why colour matters for permits
A yellow plate signals a transport vehicle that needs a permit, commercial insurance and a fitness certificate. Running a private-plate car as a taxi, or the reverse, can lead to action under permit and insurance sections, not just the plate rules.
The red plate question
Red plates belong to dealers’ trade certificates, and temporary plates use red characters on yellow. That is why a red plate on a private car on a public road should make you look twice.
What size and lettering do number plate rules require?
Sizes depend on the vehicle class. A car’s plate is 50 cm x 12 cm. A two-wheeler carries a 28.5 cm x 4.5 cm front plate and a 20 cm x 10 cm rear plate. Medium and heavy commercial vehicles use 34 cm x 20 cm. Lettering must be English letters with Hindu-Arabic numerals.
Script and spacing
The rules require Latin capital letters and the digits 0 to 9, written plainly. Hindi or regional-script numbers are not allowed on the registration mark. Series letters skip I and O, so they cannot be confused with 1 and 0.
Visibility at the rear
The rear plate must be lit at night and readable from a distance. Bike carriers, tow hooks and spare wheels must not hide it.
What are the new RTO rules for number plate?
The new RTO rules for number plate mostly concern enforcement of HSRP on older vehicles. Rather than new central law, states are now linking RTO services to plate status and setting fines after a deadline. Maharashtra’s July 2026 order is the clearest recent example.
Services tied to plate status
In states that link services, an RTO can hold back an application until HSRP is fitted.
Police drives after a deadline
Once a date passes, traffic police in that state run checks and issue challans. Cameras that read plates automatically also struggle with non-standard plates, which is one reason states push the switch.
What does the car number plate new rule change?
For cars, the car number plate new rule means three items instead of two: a front HSRP, a rear HSRP and a colour-coded third registration mark sticker inside the windscreen. A car without the sticker is not fully compliant even if both plates are genuine.
The windscreen sticker
The sticker carries the registration number, the laser code and a colour that shows the fuel type: light blue for petrol and CNG, orange for diesel. It is designed to be destroyed if someone peels it off, so it cannot be reused on another car.
Older cars with fancy plates
If your pre-2019 car still wears an acrylic or 3D plate from a roadside shop, the new rule needs it replaced with HSRP.
What were the RTO number plate rules 2020?
People searching RTO number plate rules 2020 usually mean the HSRP framework that was rolling out that year. We could not verify a separate central plate rule issued in 2020. The rules in force were the 2018 HSRP Order and the April 2019 dealer-fit requirement, which still apply today.
Why 2020 comes up in searches
By 2020, every new vehicle sold for a year already had HSRP, and states began discussing older vehicles.
Is HSRP mandatory in Maharashtra?
Yes. Is HSRP mandatory in Maharashtra has a clear answer now: every vehicle registered before 1 April 2019 must have HSRP, and the final date was 30 June 2026. Vehicles registered after that date already carry HSRP from the dealer, so they need nothing new.
Which vehicles it covers
The order covers two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, tractors, and medium and heavy vehicles, both private and commercial. About 2.1 crore vehicles in the state were eligible, according to reports from June 2026.
Which vehicles are already compliant
If your vehicle was bought new from April 2019 onwards, it should have HSRP already. Check for the hologram in the top-left corner and the laser code; if both are there, no booking is needed.
Why are Maharashtra HSRP plates mandatory now?
Maharashtra HSRP plates mandatory status came after years of the central rule applying only to new vehicles. The state wanted the older fleet on the same standard so plates are hard to clone, easier for cameras to read and traceable to one vehicle record.
Progress by the deadline
Reports on 29 June 2026 said about 1.08 crore vehicles, roughly 49% of those eligible, had been fitted. More than one crore were still pending, which is why enforcement was paired with relief for those who had already booked.
What is the new number plate rule in Maharashtra?
The new number plate rule in Maharashtra has three parts from 1 July 2026: a Rs 1,000 fine for pre-April 2019 vehicles without HSRP, a hold on several RTO services, and relief for owners who booked before the deadline but have a later slot.
| Item | What applies in Maharashtra | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Last date | 30 June 2026 | Free Press Journal, May 2026 |
| Fine after the date | Rs 1,000 from 1 July 2026 | Free Press Journal, June 2026 |
| Two-wheeler and tractor plate set | Rs 450 + GST | State statement, March 2025 |
| Three-wheeler plate set | Rs 500 + GST | State statement, March 2025 |
| Car and heavier vehicle plate set | Rs 745 + GST | State statement, March 2025 |
How to book in the state
Booking happens online through the state’s official HSRP link, where you pick a fitment centre or home fitment. Our guide to Maharashtra HSRP number plate registration walks through the screens.
What the fee includes
The quoted rates include fitment at the centre. GST is added on top, and home fitment may cost extra.
What is the HSRP deadline?
There is no single national HSRP deadline. Each state sets its own date for vehicles made before 1 April 2019. Maharashtra’s final date was 30 June 2026, and Telangana’s order of 9 April 2025 set 30 September 2025. Haryana and Punjab already require HSRP on old and new vehicles.
How to find your state’s date
Look for a notice on your state transport department’s website or a press release from the transport minister.
Why dates keep moving
Deadlines move when fitment centres cannot keep up. When crores of vehicles must switch in a few months, slots run out, and states extend rather than fine owners who could not get an appointment.
How did the Maharashtra deadline move?
Maharashtra moved its date twice before enforcing it. The first target was 31 March 2025. It was pushed to 31 December 2025, and in May 2026 the state extended it a final time to 30 June 2026, with fines from the next day.
What the last extension said
The May 2026 extension came with a warning that there would be no further relief, and that a fine of up to Rs 1,000 would follow.
What is the HSRP fine?
The HSRP fine depends on the state. Maharashtra charges Rs 1,000 from 1 July 2026. Where a state has not notified a specific amount, police may use the general penalty in section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, or another section that fits the offence. The challan names the section.
| Penalty | Amount | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra HSRP drive | Rs 1,000 | Pre-April 2019 vehicle without HSRP, from 1 July 2026 |
| Section 177 (general penalty) | Rs 500 first, Rs 1,500 repeat | Offences with no separate penalty |
| Section 192 (registration offences) | Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 first offence | Serious registration-mark cases |
Checking and paying a plate challan
A plate challan appears in the national e-challan system like any other fine. Our page on traffic fines explains how to check and pay one.
Which RTO services stop without HSRP?
In Maharashtra, since 1 July 2026, RTOs hold back six services for pre-April 2019 vehicles without HSRP. Fitness certificate renewal is the one service the order left alone. If you plan to sell, move house or close a loan, fit the plates first.
The six services on hold
The list covers ownership transfer, change of address, adding or removing hypothecation, re-registration, alteration of vehicle particulars and permit renewal.
Why the block bites hardest on sales
A buyer cannot get the RC in their name while the plate is pending. Sellers who leave HSRP to the last moment can see a deal stall at the transfer stage.
What are the number plate rules in Maharashtra beyond HSRP?
The number plate rules in Maharashtra follow the central colour, size and script rules. Beyond HSRP, police in Mumbai, Pune and other cities regularly fine decorated or unreadable plates. A plate in Marathi numerals, a name strip or a dark cover is a common reason for a challan.
MH codes on the plate
Every plate in the state starts with MH and a two-digit RTO office number. Our guide to RTO vehicle information MH decodes each office number.
Vehicles from other states
An outside vehicle follows its home state’s rules until it is re-registered here, as the last section explains.
HSRP news: what changed in 2026?
The biggest HSRP news of 2026 came from Maharashtra: the May extension to 30 June, then enforcement with a fine and a service block from 1 July. With about half the eligible fleet fitted by the deadline, pressure on slots stayed high into the second half of the year.
What to watch next
Other states with large older fleets may follow the same template of deadline, fine and service block.
What is the number plate change rule?
The number plate change rule separates two things: changing the plate and changing the number. You may replace a damaged, lost or non-standard plate with an identical HSRP. The registration number itself only changes when the vehicle is re-registered, and that goes through the RTO.
Replacing the plate only
When a plate cracks or falls off, you order a replacement HSRP with the same number through the official booking route. The laser code changes and is recorded against your vehicle. See our guide to a broken number plate for the exact process.
When the number changes
A new number comes only with re-registration, for example after moving the vehicle to another state or switching to the BH series. Each time, fresh HSRP plates must be fitted.
When can you replace a plate legally?
You can replace a plate legally whenever the existing one is damaged, unreadable, lost or stolen, or when it is not an HSRP in a state that requires one. The replacement must be ordered from an authorised supplier and fitted with new snap-lock rivets.
If the plate was stolen
File a police complaint first and keep a copy. A stolen HSRP can be misused on another vehicle, and the complaint protects you if that plate shows up in a challan or a crime report.
What you cannot do
You cannot get a local shop to copy an HSRP, unscrew one plate and move it to another vehicle, or fix a broken plate with glue and screws.
Which plate styles break the rules?
Any plate that adds anything to the registration number, or changes how it looks, breaks the rules. Common offenders are 3D and gel plates, fancy fonts, names and titles, and covers or tints. Most plate challans are about decoration rather than missing paperwork.
Styles police stop most often
Plates with “Police”, “Press”, “Advocate” or a party name, numbers written so that letters spell a word, and plates in regional numerals draw the most attention.
Designs that are fine
Within the rules there is little room for design. You may choose a frame that does not cover any character or security mark.
How do you comply with the HSRP number plate rule?
Complying with the HSRP number plate rule takes five steps and usually one short visit or a home fitment. Start by checking whether your current plates are already HSRP; many owners book a set they did not need.
- Check your current plate. Look for the Ashoka Chakra hologram, the laser-etched code and snap-lock rivets.
- Keep the RC ready. Note the registration number and the last digits of the chassis and engine numbers.
- Book through the official link. Use your state transport department’s HSRP link and pick a centre or home fitment.
- Pay and save the receipt. Pay online and keep the receipt on your phone until the plates are fitted.
- Get both plates fitted. Check that the number matches the RC and that cars also get the windscreen sticker.
Tracking the order
After paying, you can follow the order until fitment. Our HSRP status guide explains where to see it and what each stage means.
On fitment day
Take the RC and the receipt. Check both plates before the fitter leaves: same number as the RC, hologram on the top-left, rivets not screws, and the sticker inside the windscreen on a car.
Does the rule cover bikes, tractors and three-wheelers?
Yes. The HSRP rule covers every registered motor vehicle, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers and tractors. Only the plate size and the price change. Two-wheelers do not get the windscreen sticker, because they have no windscreen to fix it on.
Two-wheelers
Bikes and scooters get a small front plate and a larger rear plate. In Maharashtra a two-wheeler set costs Rs 450 plus GST, the same rate charged for tractors.
Commercial vehicles
Taxis, autos, goods vehicles and buses must use yellow HSRP plates. Because a missing HSRP blocks permit renewal in Maharashtra, commercial owners have extra reason to switch on time.
What if your fitment slot falls after the deadline?
If you booked on or before 30 June 2026 in Maharashtra, reports of the order say you get relief until your installation date. Carry the receipt in the vehicle or on your phone and show it if police stop you before fitment.
If you missed the booking window
Book now anyway. The fine applies each time you are caught, and the RTO hold stays in place.
Which rules apply when you buy a used vehicle?
When you buy a used vehicle made before April 2019, check the plates before paying. In Maharashtra the transfer to your name cannot go through without HSRP, so agree with the seller who books and pays for it, and get it done before the transfer application.
What to check on the plates
Confirm that the number on both plates matches the RC, that the hologram and laser code are present, and that the rivets are intact. A plate held by screws on a vehicle that should have HSRP is a warning sign.
Matching the record
Look up the vehicle on Vahan or mParivahan to confirm the registration details match the papers.
Do vehicles from other states need HSRP in Maharashtra?
The Maharashtra order applies to vehicles registered in Maharashtra. A vehicle with another state’s number follows the rules of its home state, which may have its own deadline. If it is re-registered in Maharashtra, it gets a new MH number and fresh HSRP plates.
BH series vehicles
Vehicles on the BH series follow the central format and get HSRP at registration. Moving between states does not change their number, so no new plate is needed on a transfer of posting.
Official links
Ministry of Road Transport and HighwaysCMVR Rule 50 and the HSRP Order 2018 ↗Maharashtra Transport DepartmentState HSRP notices and booking links ↗Vahan citizen servicesVehicle record and RTO services ↗Parivahan SewaNational transport services portal ↗HSRP number plate rule questions
What is the HSRP number plate rule?
It is the requirement in Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules that registration plates be tamper-proof High Security Registration Plates. New vehicles since 1 April 2019 get them from the dealer; states decide the deadline for older vehicles.
Is HSRP mandatory in Maharashtra?
Yes, for vehicles registered before 1 April 2019. The final date was 30 June 2026, and enforcement with a Rs 1,000 fine began on 1 July 2026. Newer vehicles already have HSRP from the dealer.
What is the HSRP deadline now?
There is no single national deadline. Maharashtra's final date was 30 June 2026 and Telangana's was 30 September 2025. Other states set or extend their own dates, so check your state transport department's notice.
What is the HSRP fine in Maharashtra?
Rs 1,000 from 1 July 2026 for a pre-April 2019 vehicle without HSRP. RTOs also hold back services such as ownership transfer, address change and hypothecation changes until the plates are fitted.
I booked before 30 June 2026 but my slot is later. Will I be fined?
Reports of the Maharashtra order say owners who booked on or before 30 June 2026 get relief until their installation date. Carry the booking receipt in case you are stopped.
What are the basic number plate rules in India?
Plates must show only the registration number in standard English letters and Hindu-Arabic numerals, in the colour set for the vehicle's use, at the prescribed size, clearly visible and lit at the rear. Decorations, names and stylised fonts are not allowed.
Can I change my number plate?
You can replace a damaged or lost plate with an identical HSRP through the official booking route. The number itself only changes on re-registration, such as moving the vehicle to another state or switching to the BH series.
Were there new RTO number plate rules in 2020?
We could not verify a separate 2020 central plate rule. The framework in force then, and now, is the 2018 HSRP Order and the April 2019 dealer-fit rule; the recent changes are state deadlines for older vehicles.
Parivahan Sewa (parivahansewa-in.com) is an independent information website and is not affiliated with MoRTH, Parivahan or any state transport department. Confirm fees and rules on the official portal before you pay or apply.