BH registration guide: Bharat series portal, fees and online steps
BH registration is the Bharat series registration mark that MoRTH created in 2021 for private vehicles of people with transferable jobs. Defence, government and PSU staff, and employees of private firms with offices in four or more states or UTs, can choose it. The dealer files it on Vahan, you pay road tax two years at a time, and the number stays valid in every state.
Key takeaways
- BH registration is voluntary and applies only to private non-transport vehicles, not taxis or goods vehicles.
- There is no separate BH website: the application runs on the Vahan system, usually filed by the dealer in Form 20.
- Private-sector staff need a Form 60 working certificate; government staff use an official ID or service certificate.
- Tax is charged at 8%, 10% or 12% of the invoice price for two years at a time, plus the normal registration fee.
- A 22 BH registration simply means the vehicle was first registered in 2022; the digits never point to a state.
- Existing vehicles can move to the Bharat series through Form 27A, available since 14 December 2022.
On this page · 23 sections
What is BH registration?
BH registration is a way of registering a private car or two-wheeler in a national series instead of a state series. The registration mark begins with the year of first registration and the letters BH, not a state code. It is meant for owners whose employers post them from one state to another.
The problem it solves
Under Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act, a vehicle kept in another state for more than 12 months must get a new registration mark there. That means an NOC from the old RTO, fresh road tax in the new state and a refund claim in the old one. A BH vehicle skips this cycle.
What stays the same
A BH vehicle is still an ordinary registered vehicle. It needs valid insurance, a PUC certificate, an HSRP plate and an RC, and the owner follows the same traffic rules. Only the numbering and the way tax is collected are different. For how the plate itself reads, see our BH number plate guide.
Why choose BH registration over a state number?
The main reason is mobility. If you expect two or more inter-state postings while you own the vehicle, BH registration saves you repeated paperwork and the cash locked up in one-time state tax. If you will stay in one state, a normal registration is usually simpler.
Side-by-side view
| Point | BH registration | State registration |
|---|---|---|
| Moving for work | No new mark needed | New mark after 12 months (Section 47) |
| Tax period | Two years, or a multiple of two | Usually one-time tax at purchase |
| Who can apply | Eligible employees only | Any owner |
| Number allotment | Random, generated by the portal | In sequence or by choice-number auction |
| Resale | Buyer must be eligible to keep BH | Normal ownership transfer |
When it may not pay off
Paying tax every two years means smaller bills, but the total over many years can be close to or above a state’s one-time tax, depending on the state. A full worked comparison sits on our BH registration cost page.
Who can apply for BH registration?
The series is voluntary. Defence personnel, employees of the central and state governments, staff of central and state PSUs, and employees of private companies or organisations with offices in four or more states or union territories can apply. Only private, non-transport vehicles are covered.
The private-sector test
The four-state rule applies to the employer, not to you. A company with offices in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana passes the test even if you have never worked outside one city. Your HR team confirms this when it signs your certificate.
Vehicles left out
Taxis, cabs, goods carriers and any other transport vehicle stay on the state series. Commercial use, including app-based ride hailing, cannot be done on a BH registration.
What does Bharat registration mean in the rules?
Bharat registration is the formal name for the scheme. MoRTH added it to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 through the Central Motor Vehicles (Twentieth Amendment) Rules, 2021, notified as GSR 594(E) on 26 August 2021. It came into force on 15 September 2021.
Rule 51B and Rule 47
The registration mark and tax provisions sit in Rule 51B. The people allowed to use it are listed in Rule 47(1), clauses (ca) and (cb). If a dealer or clerk is unsure, these are the rule numbers to quote.
The 2022 changes
The Central Motor Vehicles (Twenty-third Amendment) Rules, 2022 came into force on 14 December 2022. They let existing vehicles convert to BH, set out the Form 60 certificate for private staff, and allowed an application at any registering authority where the owner lives or works.
What is the Bharat series and who runs it?
The Bharat series is a single national numbering series. MoRTH writes the rules, NIC runs the Vahan software that generates the marks, and each state’s registering authority (the RTO) checks eligibility and issues the RC. There is no separate BH office.
The role of your RTO
Even though the mark has no state code, a real office in a real state approves it. That office’s name is printed on the RC. You will find the full list of offices and codes on our RTO codes and offices page.
Central rules, electronic tax
The tax rates are set centrally and the tax is collected electronically through Vahan, so a move does not change the mark. How the money is shared between states is an administrative matter that does not change what the owner pays.
Is India series registration the same thing?
Yes. India series registration is simply another way people search for the Bharat series. The rules use the word Bharat, which is the coequal name for India in the Constitution. There is no separate “India series” scheme or plate.
Why the confusion
Some news reports in 2021 described it as a “national” or “India” series.
What to ask for
At the showroom, say “BH series registration under Rule 51B”. That wording leaves no room for mistakes in the dealer’s Vahan entry.
Which is the BH series registration portal?
There is no separate BH series registration portal. BH applications live inside the national Vahan registration system at vahan.parivahan.gov.in. Dealers use the Vahan dealer module, and owners use Vahan citizen services for tax, status and later services.
Beware of look-alike sites
Search results sometimes show private websites with “BH” in the name that offer to “book” a number for a fee. The government does not sell BH numbers through agents. Use only parivahan.gov.in and vahan.parivahan.gov.in.
What you can do on Vahan
Owners can check application status, pay the next two-year tax, download receipts, and apply for routine services such as address change. Our vehicle registration guide walks through the Vahan screens in more detail.
How does BH registration online work for a new vehicle?
BH registration online for a new vehicle is handled mostly by the dealer. You prove eligibility, the dealer files the application in Form 20 on Vahan with BH selected, you pay the tax online, and the registering authority verifies and approves. The steps are below.
- Check your eligibility. Confirm your job category, or that your private employer has offices in four or more states or UTs.
- Get your proof ready. Ask HR for a signed Form 60 working certificate, or keep your official ID card or service certificate.
- Tell the dealer before billing. Ask for the BH option before the invoice is raised so the Vahan entry starts in the Bharat series.
- Dealer submits Form 20 on Vahan. The dealer uploads the application, invoice, insurance and your eligibility proof.
- Pay the two-year tax online. The BH tax is calculated on the invoice price without GST and paid electronically.
- Registering authority verifies. After checking the proof, the system generates a random BH mark and the RC is issued.
Timing tips
Raise BH at the booking stage, not on delivery day. If HR takes a week to sign Form 60, the dealer may otherwise register the vehicle in the state series to meet a delivery date.
What does the dealer file for a BH registration?
The dealer files a Form 20 application on the Vahan dealer module and chooses the BH series where the module offers it. The upload includes the invoice, insurance, Form 21 sale certificate, Form 22 roadworthiness certificate, your ID and address proof, and your eligibility document.
If the dealer says BH is not available
Some dealers have never filed a BH case. Ask them to check with the local registering authority. MoRTH issued an advisory on 18 March 2024 asking states to follow Rule 51B after complaints that offices were refusing BH marks.
Do not sign a blank form
Check that the application shows the BH series before you sign. A form filed in the state series cannot simply be switched later; it becomes a conversion case.
Which papers does a BH registration file need?
Beyond the normal new-vehicle papers, a BH registration file needs proof that you belong to an eligible group. The table shows what each type of applicant usually provides. Offices can ask for extra copies, so carry originals.
| Applicant | Eligibility proof | Other papers |
|---|---|---|
| Central or state govt employee | Official ID card or service certificate | ID, address proof, invoice, insurance |
| Defence personnel | Service ID card | ID, address proof, invoice, insurance |
| PSU employee | Official ID card or service certificate | ID, address proof, invoice, insurance |
| Private sector employee | Form 60 working certificate from employer | ID, address proof, invoice, insurance |
| Existing vehicle owner | Same as above, plus Form 27A | Current RC, tax and insurance papers |
Address proof and the “place of work”
You can apply where you have a permanent residence or a place of work. If you have just moved for a posting, a letter from your employer showing your current office can support the address.
Keep a scanned set
Save PDFs of Form 60, the invoice and the tax receipt. You will need them again for the next tax cycle and for any later transfer.
What goes into the Form 60 working certificate?
Form 60 here is the working certificate prescribed under the 2022 amendment, not the income-tax form of the same number. It is signed by an authorised person at your employer and confirms that you work there and that the organisation has offices in four or more states or UTs.
What HR should include
The certificate normally carries your name, employee ID, designation, office address and the list of states or UTs where the company has offices, with the signatory’s name and seal.
Do not confuse the forms
Many HR teams first hand out the income-tax Form 60 used for PAN declarations. Tell them you need the motor vehicle working certificate under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
What are the BH series registration fees?
BH series registration fees are made up of the normal registration fee, any smart card charge, the HSRP plate cost and the BH motor vehicle tax. Reports on the 2021 rules describe the tax slabs but no extra BH-only fee. The tax is by far the largest part of the bill.
Fee and tax table
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee, private car | Rs 600 | Central fee reported for non-transport LMV |
| Smart card RC | Rs 200 | Where the RC is issued as a smart card |
| BH tax, invoice up to Rs 10 lakh | 8% | For two years at a time |
| BH tax, Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh | 10% | For two years at a time |
| BH tax, above Rs 20 lakh | 12% | For two years at a time |
| Diesel vehicle | +2% | Added to the slab rate |
| Electric vehicle | -2% | Taken off the slab rate |
Charges that vary
HSRP prices and state service or user charges differ by state and vehicle type. The Vahan fee screen shows the final amount before you pay, so check it against the dealer’s quote.
How is the two-year BH tax worked out?
The tax is calculated electronically on the invoice price excluding GST, using the slab that matches the price and fuel type. It is charged for two years or a multiple of two. From the 14th year, the tax becomes annual at half the amount charged earlier for that vehicle.
Paying the next cycle
When the two-year period is close to ending, pay the next instalment online through Vahan citizen services. If the screen asks you to pick a state, follow the prompts or confirm with your registering authority. Save the receipt with your RC papers.
Why the invoice price matters
Because the slab depends on the invoice price, accessories billed on the same invoice can push a car into a higher slab. Ask the dealer to bill optional accessories separately if that keeps you below a slab limit.
What is 22 BH registration?
A 22 BH registration is a Bharat series mark issued to a vehicle first registered in 2022. The two digits are always the year of first registration. A vehicle registered in 2022 keeps “22” for life, even after a move or a tax renewal.
2022 was a busy year
Many 22 BH vehicles are cars bought in the first full year of the scheme, and from December 2022 the first converted vehicles also appeared. A 22 BH plate can therefore be a new 2022 car or an older car converted that year, depending on how the year is recorded.
Looking up a 22 BH vehicle
You can search a 22 BH number on Vahan or mParivahan like any other number. The RC shows the registering authority, which tells you which state’s office issued it.
What is a Bharat number?
A Bharat number is the everyday name for a BH registration mark. It has four parts: the two-digit year, the letters BH, a four-digit number from 0001 to 9999, and one or two letters. Letters I and O are not used, to avoid confusion with 1 and 0.
Black on white
A Bharat number is shown in black on a white background on a high security registration plate, the same colours as an ordinary private vehicle. Electric vehicles follow the green plate rules that apply to EVs.
Unique across India
Because the series is national, no two vehicles anywhere in India share the same Bharat number. That is why the number does not need to change when the vehicle crosses a state border.
How is a Bharat number generated?
The Vahan system generates the Bharat number randomly after the registering authority verifies eligibility. You cannot pick a sequence, and the normal choice or fancy number auctions run by states do not apply to the BH series.
What you will see
Once approved, the mark appears in the Vahan record and on the RC. The HSRP maker then embosses the plate with that number.
Can an existing car switch to Bharat series registration?
Yes. Since 14 December 2022, an eligible owner can convert a vehicle with a regular state number to Bharat series registration by applying in Form 27A and paying the tax due. The application goes to the registering authority where you live or work.
What to expect
The office checks your eligibility proof and the vehicle’s tax position. A new BH mark is allotted, so the vehicle needs new HSRP plates and the RC is updated.
Is it worth it?
Converting makes most sense for a relatively new vehicle when you expect another inter-state posting. For an older vehicle near the end of its state tax period, the saving may be small.
What happens to BH registration when you change jobs?
If you move to another eligible employer, the vehicle stays in the BH series and you get a fresh Form 60 when you next need one. If you stop being eligible, the vehicle stays in the BH series for the period for which tax has already been paid.
Planning after eligibility ends
Once the paid period runs out, ask your registering authority how to continue. Owners in this position usually move to the state series of the state where the vehicle is kept.
What happens to BH registration when you sell the vehicle?
If the buyer is also eligible, the vehicle stays in the BH series after the ownership transfer. If the buyer is not eligible, the vehicle gets a new regular-series mark of that state or UT and the buyer becomes liable for state motor vehicle tax.
Tell the buyer early
A buyer who expects to keep the BH number may back out at the last minute. Say clearly in the listing whether the buyer needs to be eligible.
Transfer paperwork
The usual ownership transfer forms apply, and the transfer is handled on Vahan like any other vehicle. The buyer’s eligibility proof is added if the BH mark is to stay.
Why are some BH registration requests refused?
Most refusals come from unclear eligibility proof, an employer that cannot show offices in four states, or an office unfamiliar with the rules. Courts and MoRTH have both pushed back on blanket refusals, so a refusal is often worth challenging politely.
Karnataka High Court ruling
In December 2022 the Karnataka High Court held that a state notification excluding private-sector staff could not stand against the central notification of 26 August 2021.
Steps if refused
Ask for the reason in writing, check that Form 60 lists the employer’s offices, and cite Rule 51B and the March 2024 advisory. If that fails, use the state transport grievance channel.
What should the RC show after BH registration?
The RC should show a mark in the YY BH #### XX format, the vehicle class as a non-transport vehicle, the issuing registering authority, and tax validity matching the two-year period you paid. Check every field on the day you receive it.
Fixing errors
If the RC shows the wrong class or tax period, raise it with the dealer and the registering authority at once. Our certificate of registration guide explains each RC field. Corrections are easier before the HSRP plate is fitted.
Digital copies
Keep a copy in DigiLocker or mParivahan. Traffic police accept these digital RCs, which is useful when you move states and your papers are in transit.
Does BH registration suit bikes and EVs?
Yes, any private non-transport vehicle can use BH registration, including motorcycles, scooters and electric cars. For EVs the BH tax rate is 2 percent lower than the slab rate.
Electric vehicles
Some states waive or cut road tax for EVs under their own policies. Compare that state benefit with the BH rate before choosing, because a state waiver may beat the BH tax.
BH registration checklist before the showroom visit
Before you pay the booking amount, have your eligibility proof in hand, tell the dealer you want BH registration, and confirm they have filed BH cases before. These checks prevent the most common slip: a vehicle issued in the state series by default.
Quick list
Carry Form 60 or your official ID, PAN, Aadhaar or other ID, address proof, and your insurance choice. Ask for the Vahan fee screen before paying.
After delivery
Download the tax receipt, save the RC in DigiLocker, and set a reminder two months before the tax period ends.
Official links
Vahan citizen servicesRegistration records, BH tax and application status ↗Parivahan SewaCentral portal for vehicle and licence services ↗Ministry of Road Transport and HighwaysBH series notifications and advisories ↗e-Gazette of IndiaGSR 594(E) of 26 August 2021 and the 2022 amendment ↗BH registration questions
What is BH registration?
It is a national registration series for private vehicles of eligible employees with transferable jobs. The mark starts with the year and BH instead of a state code, so the owner does not need a fresh registration after moving to another state.
Is there a separate BH series registration portal?
No. BH applications are made inside the Vahan registration system. For a new vehicle the dealer files them through the Vahan dealer module; later tax and services go through Vahan citizen services.
Can I do BH registration online myself?
For a new vehicle the dealer files the online application for you. You supply the eligibility proof. For conversion of an existing vehicle, the application in Form 27A goes to your registering authority, and steps can vary by state.
What are the BH series registration fees?
You pay the normal registration fee (Rs 600 for a private car is the reported central fee), a smart card fee if applicable, the HSRP charge, and BH motor vehicle tax of 8, 10 or 12 percent of the invoice price for two years.
What does 22 BH registration mean?
It means the vehicle was first registered in the Bharat series in 2022. The digits show a year only and say nothing about the state or RTO.
Is Bharat registration the same as India series registration?
Yes. Bharat is the name used in the rules; people also search for it as India series registration. Both refer to the BH series under Rule 51B of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
Can a private company employee get Bharat series registration?
Yes, if the employer has offices in four or more states or union territories. The employee submits a Form 60 working certificate signed by the employer.
What happens to BH registration if I leave my job?
If you stop being eligible, the vehicle stays in the BH series for the period for which tax has already been paid. After that, check with your registering authority about moving to the state series.
Do I still pay tax in the new state after a transfer?
No new state registration is needed for a BH vehicle. You keep paying the BH tax every two years through Vahan, and keep the RC, insurance and PUC valid.
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.