PB12 which city number? Decoding every Punjab PB plate
PB12 which city number is it? PB 12 is the Rupnagar (Ropar) registering office in Punjab. On any Punjab plate, PB is the state code and the two digits after it name the office that first registered the vehicle: PB 09 is Kapurthala, PB 10 Ludhiana West and PB 01 a taxi and rental series. Punjab uses 94 codes, PB 01 to PB 93 plus PB 99.
Key takeaways
- PB 12 is Rupnagar (Ropar); the district also uses PB 16, PB 71, PB 74 and PB 87.
- PB 9 is really PB 09, the Kapurthala office; always type the zero when you search.
- PB 01 is not a town office: it is the series for taxis and rented or self-drive cars.
- Punjab made HSRP compulsory for old and new vehicles; book on punjabhsrp.in and confirm today's fee there.
- The last published Punjab HSRP rates (2020) were ₹173 for a two-wheeler and ₹513 for a car, before home fitment.
- A Vahan search on any PB number shows the registering office, model and validity dates, with the owner's name masked.
On this page · 28 sections
PB12 which city number is it?
The answer to PB12 which city number is Rupnagar, the district town many people still call Ropar. Its registering office issues PB 12 plates to vehicles first registered there. The town sits close to the Satluj river, about 42 km from Chandigarh.
Other codes from the same district
Rupnagar district does not run on one code. Anandpur Sahib has PB 16, Chamkaur Sahib PB 71, Nangal PB 74 and Morinda PB 87. A plate from Nangal is therefore PB 74, even though Nangal is in Rupnagar district. Our PB 12 which city page covers that district office and its towns in detail.
What PB 12 does not tell you
The code shows where the vehicle was first registered, not where the owner lives today. A car bought in Ropar and sold to someone in Mohali keeps PB 12 for life, unless it is re-registered in another state.
What does a PB number plate look like?
A PB number plate follows the same national layout as every Indian plate: the state letters PB, a two-digit office code, one or two series letters, and a number from 1 to 9999. On a private car it is black characters on a white high security plate, with a small blue IND mark and a hologram on the left.
The parts you can see
- PB — the state code for Punjab.
- Two digits — the office, such as 02 for Amritsar or 65 for Mohali.
- Series letters — issued in order as each block of 9,999 numbers fills.
- Number — the vehicle’s own number within that series.
Features that prove it is genuine
A high security plate carries a chromium hologram of the Ashoka Chakra, a laser-etched identification number, embossed characters and a retro-reflective film. It is fixed with snap-lock rivets that cannot be reused, so a plate that has been unscrewed and refitted is easy to spot.
How is a Punjab vehicle registration number built?
A Punjab vehicle registration number is the full mark the office records on Vahan and prints on the registration certificate (RC). It always starts with PB and the office code, then a series and a unique number, for example PB 10 followed by two letters and four digits.
Why leading zeros matter
Offices below ten are written with a zero: PB 02, PB 07, PB 09. Searches on Vahan and challan portals expect the zero, so typing PB9 instead of PB09 usually returns no result.
Series letters and vehicle type
Punjab’s public lists do not tie series letters to vehicle types the way Delhi does. Whether the vehicle is a private car, taxi or goods carrier shows up in the plate colour and the vehicle class on the RC, not in the letters.
PB 9 which city does the code stand for?
The search PB 9 which city points to Kapurthala. The correct code is PB 09, issued by the Kapurthala office. Kapurthala district also has PB 36 for Phagwara, PB 41 for Sultanpur Lodhi and PB 57 for Bhulath, so not every Kapurthala district plate reads PB 09.
Phagwara is the one people miss
Phagwara is a large town on the Jalandhar to Ludhiana highway, and many people assume it shares Jalandhar’s code. It does not: Phagwara plates read PB 36 and belong to Kapurthala district.
Do not confuse PB 9 with PB 90
PB 90 is the second Jalandhar office. If a plate looks like “PB 9” followed by a long gap, check whether a digit has worn off before deciding on the city.
What is a PB01 number plate used for?
A PB01 number plate does not belong to a single town. Public lists record PB 01 as the series for taxis from Punjab and for rented and self-drive cars based in Chandigarh. That is why PB 01 cabs are seen across the state and at Chandigarh airport, while private cars almost never carry it.
How to tell a PB 01 taxi
Commercial taxis use black characters on a yellow plate. A self-drive rental car uses yellow characters on a black plate. If a PB 01 car has a white plate, check its record on Vahan, because a white plate on a taxi series is unusual.
PB 01 and Chandigarh’s own codes
Chandigarh is a union territory with its own registering authority. Its private vehicles carry CH 01 to CH 04, not PB. PB 01 is linked with Chandigarh only because of the rental and taxi series kept there.
Punjab vehicle registration number list by district
This Punjab vehicle registration number list groups every code by district so you can see which numbers belong together. Punjab has 23 districts but 94 codes, because most tehsil and sub-division towns register vehicles under their own number. The table below gives only the code numbers; add PB in front of each.
| District | PB codes |
|---|---|
| Amritsar | 02, 14, 17, 81, 89, 93 |
| Tarn Taran | 38, 46, 63, 88 |
| Gurdaspur | 06, 18, 58, 85, 99 |
| Pathankot | 35, 68 |
| Jalandhar | 08, 33, 37, 67, 90 |
| Kapurthala | 09, 36, 41, 57 |
| Hoshiarpur | 07, 21, 24, 54 |
| Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar | 20, 32, 78 |
| Rupnagar | 12, 16, 71, 74, 87 |
| Mohali (SAS Nagar) | 27, 65, 70 |
| Ludhiana | 10, 25, 26, 43, 55, 56, 91 |
| Fatehgarh Sahib | 23, 48, 49, 52 |
| Patiala | 11, 34, 39, 42, 72, 83 |
| Malerkotla | 28, 82, 92 |
| Sangrur | 13, 44, 59, 64, 75, 84, 86 |
| Barnala | 19, 73 |
| Bathinda | 03, 40, 45, 80 |
| Mansa | 31, 50, 51 |
| Faridkot | 04, 62, 79 |
| Sri Muktsar Sahib | 30, 53, 60 |
| Firozpur | 05, 47, 77 |
| Fazilka | 15, 22, 61 |
| Moga | 29, 66, 69, 76 |
How we grouped the codes
Each office was matched to its district using the district’s list of sub-divisions. PB 01 is left out because it is a vehicle-type series, not an office. For the town name behind every number, see the Punjab RTO vehicle registration details list.
Ludhiana and Sangrur lead
Ludhiana and Sangrur have seven codes each, the most of any district. Pathankot, carved out of Gurdaspur in 2011, and Barnala have only two each.
List of all PB numbers in Punjab
The list of all PB numbers in Punjab runs from PB 01 to PB 93 without a gap, then jumps to PB 99, which belongs to Dinanagar in Gurdaspur district. That makes 94 codes in public lists. PB 94 to PB 98 do not appear, so a plate reading PB 95 is either a misreading or not genuine.
How the numbers are spread
- PB 01 — taxis and rental cars.
- PB 02 to PB 13 — the older district head offices, in alphabetical order from Amritsar to Sangrur.
- PB 14 to PB 93 — sub-division and later district offices, from Ajnala (PB 14) to Lopoke (PB 93).
- PB 99 — Dinanagar, which public sources describe as the northernmost town in Punjab.
Second offices in big cities
Three cities got a second number late in the list: Amritsar has PB 02 and PB 89, Jalandhar PB 08 and PB 90, and Ludhiana PB 10 (West) and PB 91 (East).
Punjab vehicle number list by region
A Punjab vehicle number list is easier to remember by region. Punjab is often described in three parts: Majha north of the Beas, Doaba between the Beas and the Satluj, and Malwa south of the Satluj. Each region has a few anchor codes that you will see most often on its roads.
Majha and Doaba anchor codes
In Majha look for PB 02 and PB 89 (Amritsar), PB 46 (Tarn Taran), PB 06 (Gurdaspur) and PB 35 (Pathankot). In Doaba the common ones are PB 08 and PB 90 (Jalandhar), PB 09 (Kapurthala), PB 07 (Hoshiarpur) and PB 32 (Nawanshahr).
Malwa anchor codes
Malwa is the largest region and holds most codes. The busiest are PB 10 and PB 91 (Ludhiana), PB 11 (Patiala), PB 65 (Mohali), PB 03 (Bathinda), PB 13 (Sangrur) and PB 29 (Moga).
Why do some Punjab cities carry two PB numbers?
When one office gets more vehicles than it can register quickly, the state opens a second office with its own code. Punjab did this for its three largest cities. The two codes are equal in status: a PB 91 car is no newer or older than a PB 10 car, it simply went through a different office.
| City | First code | Second code |
|---|---|---|
| Amritsar | PB 02 | PB 89 |
| Jalandhar | PB 08 | PB 90 |
| Ludhiana | PB 10 (West) | PB 91 (East) |
Which office should you visit?
Your RC names the office that holds your record. For any service on an existing vehicle, such as a transfer or address change, the application normally goes to that office, even when you start it online.
How do Mohali, Pathankot and Malerkotla fit into the list?
Newer districts took codes that already existed. Mohali (SAS Nagar) was formed in 2006 from parts of Ropar and Patiala and uses PB 65, with PB 27 Kharar and PB 70 Dera Bassi. Pathankot became a district in 2011 and keeps PB 35. Malerkotla, created in 2021, uses PB 28, PB 82 and PB 92.
Zirakpur and the tricity edge
Zirakpur, next to Chandigarh, falls under Dera Bassi tehsil, so most of its vehicles carry PB 70. Kharar and its fast-growing suburbs use PB 27.
Which colours can a Punjab vehicle number plate have?
A Punjab vehicle number plate uses the national colour code, so colour tells you the vehicle class at a glance. Private vehicles have black characters on white, taxis and goods vehicles black on yellow, self-drive rentals yellow on black, and electric vehicles a green background.
Electric vehicles
A private electric car or scooter in Punjab has white characters on a green plate. A commercial electric vehicle, such as an e-rickshaw used for hire, has yellow characters on green.
Temporary and dealer plates
A new vehicle waiting for its permanent number may run on a temporary registration for a short period. Our number plates guide explains temporary, red and other special plates used across India.
How does a PB car number plate differ from a bike plate?
A PB car number plate and a bike plate carry the same code and number but differ in size and fittings. Cars use a plate about 50 cm by 12 cm at front and rear plus a windscreen sticker. Two-wheelers have a narrow front plate and a smaller, squarer rear plate.
The third registration mark
On cars, the high security set includes a third registration mark: a hologram sticker on the inside of the windscreen. It shows the registration number and a colour band for fuel type: light blue for petrol and CNG, orange for diesel.
Plate sizes in one place
The national plate sizes are 50 x 12 cm for light motor vehicles, 34 x 20 cm for medium and heavy commercial vehicles, 20 x 10 cm for the rear of two-wheelers and three-wheelers, and 28.5 x 4.5 cm for the front of two-wheelers.
What should a Punjab bike number plate show?
A Punjab bike number plate must show only the registration mark in the standard font: PB, the office code, series and number. Names, slogans, religious symbols, caste titles or stylised fonts are not allowed on the plate itself, even though they are a common sight on Punjab roads.
Fancy fonts and stickers
A plate where “PB 10” is written in a decorative script, or with extra words such as a village name, can be challaned under the general penalty in the Motor Vehicles Act. Keep decorations on the body of the bike, not on the plate.
Front plate on scooters
Scooters and bikes still need a front plate. Many riders remove it after an accident or fairing change; replacing it means booking a fresh high security plate, not buying a local one.
What are HSRP number plate fitting charges in Punjab?
HSRP number plate fitting charges in Punjab depend on the vehicle type. The last state rates published in the press, in July 2020, were ₹173 for a two-wheeler and ₹513 for a car, with a separate charge for home fitment. We could not open a newer official rate card, so treat these as a floor and check the total on punjabhsrp.in.
| Vehicle type | Plate set (2020) | Home fitment extra |
|---|---|---|
| Two-wheeler | ₹173 | ₹100 |
| Three-wheeler | ₹249.82 | Not reported |
| Car / four-wheeler | ₹513 | ₹150 |
| Commercial vehicle | ₹548 | Not reported |
Why your bill may be higher
The 2020 figures are base rates. Recent receipts shared online show higher totals once GST and later revisions are added, so the amount on the booking screen is the one that counts. Pay only on the official site, never in cash to a roadside agent.
Comparing with other states
Rates are set state by state. For what the plate is and how other states price it, see our HSRP full form guide.
How do you book an HSRP in Punjab?
Punjab takes HSRP bookings online through punjabhsrp.in and the HSRP Punjab app. You enter the vehicle details, choose a fitment centre or home fitment, pay, and then bring the vehicle at the booked slot. In 2021 the state reported 102 fitment centres and about 13 lakh vehicles fitted in eight months.
- Open the booking site. Go to punjabhsrp.in or open the HSRP Punjab app.
- Enter vehicle details. Type the PB registration number and the chassis and engine digits printed on your RC.
- Choose fitment. Select a fitment centre near you or home fitment, then a date and time slot.
- Pay and save the receipt. Pay online and keep the receipt or confirmation SMS.
- Get the plates fixed. Bring the vehicle and RC at the slot; the plates are fixed with snap-lock rivets.
Details to keep ready
Keep the RC at hand: the last five digits of the chassis and engine numbers must match the Vahan record, or the booking fails. A mobile number linked to the vehicle helps with OTPs.
Does home fitment cost extra?
Yes. When Punjab opened home fitment in 2020, it added a service charge of ₹100 for two-wheelers and ₹150 for four-wheelers on top of the plate price. The fitter brings the plates to your address on the booked date. Check whether home fitment is offered in your area when you book.
When a centre visit is better
If your vehicle has an old plate that is riveted badly or a damaged bracket, a fitment centre can handle it more easily. Home fitment suits standard cars and bikes with intact mounts.
What is the fine for driving without HSRP in Punjab?
Punjab made HSRP compulsory for all vehicles, old and new. When enforcement began on 1 October 2020, a Tribune report from Jalandhar quoted challans of ₹2,000 for a first offence and ₹3,000 after that under section 177, with possible impounding. The amount may have been revised since, so check the current Punjab challan.
Other problems a missing HSRP causes
States that enforce HSRP often link it to other services, such as ownership transfer or address change at the office. If your PB vehicle still has an old plate, book the new one before you start any RC work.
Do new vehicles in Punjab come with HSRP already?
Yes. Every vehicle made on or after 1 April 2019 must be supplied with high security plates and the third registration mark, fitted by the dealer before delivery. If you bought a new car or bike in Punjab after that date and it has an ordinary plate, raise it with the dealer rather than booking separately.
How is a Punjab car registration number allotted?
A Punjab car registration number is allotted by the office where the dealer registers your car, normally the one covering your address. The next free number in the running series is given at the time of registration, so you cannot pick the series letters unless you buy a choice number.
When the number is issued
The dealer uploads the sale and your documents on Vahan, the tax and fee are paid, and the office approves the application. The number then appears on Vahan and the HSRP is made and fitted with it.
Unregistered use is costly
Driving without registration is an offence under section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, with a fine of ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 for a first offence. Wait for the number or a valid temporary registration.
Can you choose a fancy PB number?
Yes. Punjab’s transport department sells choice and fancy numbers through online auctions on the national Vahan fancy portal. Popular numbers can sell far above their reserve: PB 10 KD 0001 fetched a reported ₹18.73 lakh in a Ludhiana e-auction against a reserve of ₹1 lakh. Prices by number are covered on our VIP number plate price page.
How do you run a number plate check Punjab online?
A number plate check Punjab search uses the national Vahan database, not a separate state site. Open Know Your Vehicle Details on Vahan or the mParivahan app, type the full PB number without spaces, complete the captcha or OTP, and read the result.
What to type
Use the format PB10AB1234: state, office code with its zero, series and number. Spaces, hyphens or a missing zero are the usual reasons for “record not found”.
Checking before you buy
Before buying a used PB vehicle, match the model, colour, fuel and chassis digits on the result with the vehicle in front of you. Our RC status Punjab guide explains the RC checks in detail.
Vahan portal Punjab: what can you do there?
The Vahan portal Punjab owners use is the national Vahan citizen site, where you first select Punjab as the state. From there you can apply for ownership transfer, address change, duplicate RC, hypothecation changes and no-objection certificates, pay road tax, and print or download receipts.
State selection matters
Most Vahan services ask you to pick the state and then the registering office. Choose Punjab and the office named on your RC, such as PB 65 Mohali, or the application goes to the wrong desk.
Where the old state portal fits
Older guides mention a Punjab payment site at olps.punjabtransport.org. We could not confirm it is still live, so use Vahan for any payment.
What does Punjab RTO vehicle information show?
Punjab RTO vehicle information on Vahan or mParivahan shows the registering office, registration date, maker and model, fuel type, vehicle class and the validity of registration, insurance, fitness and pollution certificates. The owner’s name appears in masked form, and the address and phone number are not shown.
When details look wrong
If the model, colour or fuel on the record do not match the vehicle, or a validity date has expired, the record needs to be corrected at the registering office. Do not rely on a plate alone; the record is what the police and insurers check.
Which RTO Punjab number serves your town?
The RTO Punjab number for your town is usually the code of the nearest sub-division office, not the district headquarters. Dhuri, Sunam and Moonak in Sangrur district each have their own code, for example, so a vehicle bought in Sunam reads PB 44 rather than PB 13.
Find yours in three steps
- Find your district in the district table above.
- Look for your tehsil or sub-division town in the full list on the Punjab RTO page.
- Confirm by checking any recent vehicle from your area on Vahan; the office name appears in the result.
What did Punjab plates use before PB?
Before the two-letter state code system came in 1989, Punjab plates used three-letter district codes such as PC, PN, PJ and PU. Some vintage vehicles still carry those old marks, and they appear on Vahan in the original format if the record was migrated.
Is a CH plate from Punjab?
No. CH is Chandigarh, a union territory and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. Its Registering and Licensing Authority issues CH 01 to CH 04. Mohali and Zirakpur vehicles, though only a few kilometres away, carry PB codes because those towns are in Punjab.
Common mistakes when reading a Punjab no plate
Most errors when reading a Punjab no plate come from dropped zeros, a worn digit or guessing that a code means a nearby big city. A careful read and one Vahan search settle almost every case.
Mistakes to avoid
- Reading PB 9 or PB 1 without the zero and getting no search result.
- Assuming PB 01 means Chandigarh; it is the taxi and rental series.
- Treating Phagwara as Jalandhar; Phagwara is PB 36 in Kapurthala district.
- Taking a plate code as proof of where the owner lives now.
What happens to a PB plate if you move out of Punjab?
A PB number stays valid anywhere in India. But if the vehicle is kept in another state for more than 12 months, section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act requires it to get a new registration mark there. You take a no-objection certificate from the Punjab office, pay the new state’s tax and receive its code.
Moving within Punjab
Shifting from, say, Ludhiana to Patiala does not change the number. Update the address on the RC through Vahan and keep the PB 10 or PB 91 plate as it is.
Official links
Vahan citizen servicesRegistration, tax, transfer and vehicle details for Punjab ↗Punjab HSRP bookingAppointment and payment for high security plates ↗Parivahan SewaNational transport services portal ↗Ministry of Road Transport and HighwaysRegistration and number plate rules ↗Pb12 which city number questions
PB12 which city number is it?
PB 12 is the Rupnagar office, also called Ropar, about 42 km from Chandigarh. Nangal, Morinda, Anandpur Sahib and Chamkaur Sahib in the same district have their own codes.
PB 9 which city is it?
PB 09 is Kapurthala. Phagwara (PB 36), Sultanpur Lodhi (PB 41) and Bhulath (PB 57) are the other offices in Kapurthala district.
Is PB 01 the Chandigarh number?
No. PB 01 is the series for taxis from Punjab and rented or self-drive cars. Chandigarh is a union territory and registers its own vehicles as CH 01 to CH 04.
How many PB numbers are there in Punjab?
Public lists show 94 codes: PB 01 to PB 93 in an unbroken run, plus PB 99 for Dinanagar. PB 94 to PB 98 do not appear in the lists we checked.
What are HSRP number plate fitting charges in Punjab?
The last rates published in the press (July 2020) were ₹173 for a two-wheeler, ₹249.82 for a three-wheeler, ₹513 for a car and ₹548 for a commercial vehicle, with home fitment extra. Check the current total on punjabhsrp.in before you pay.
Where do I book an HSRP in Punjab?
Bookings for vehicles registered in Punjab are taken on punjabhsrp.in and the HSRP Punjab app. Vehicles made from April 2019 onwards should already have HSRP fitted by the dealer.
How can I check a Punjab vehicle number online?
Use Know Your Vehicle Details on the national Vahan site or the mParivahan app. Type the full PB number without spaces and complete the captcha or OTP.
Can I see the owner's name from a PB plate?
Only partly. The public search shows a masked name with the vehicle details. Full owner records go only to authorised agencies or through the registering office.
Does my PB number change if I shift to another state?
If the vehicle stays in another state for more than 12 months, section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act requires a new registration mark there. Moving within Punjab does not change the number.
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.