MP registration: how vehicles are registered in Madhya Pradesh and how to check a permit
MP registration is the registration of a motor vehicle with a regional transport office in Madhya Pradesh, which gives it an MP code such as MP-04 (Bhopal) or MP-09 (Indore). A new vehicle is normally registered by the dealer within seven days of delivery using Form 20. Commercial vehicles also need a permit, which you can check through the Parivahan online permit service.
Key takeaways
- MP registration links a vehicle to one Madhya Pradesh RTO; the two digits after MP name that office.
- Apply within seven days of delivery (Rule 47, CMVR); most dealers file Form 20 for you.
- A vehicle from another state kept in MP for more than 12 months needs an MP mark (Section 47).
- Private RCs are valid for 15 years, then renewable for five years at a time.
- Taxis, buses and goods vehicles also need a permit; an MP transport permit check shows its type and validity.
- Driving an unregistered vehicle can cost ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 for a first offence (Section 192).
On this page · 24 sections
What does MP registration mean?
MP registration is the record that ties a motor vehicle to a registering authority in Madhya Pradesh. Once it is done, the vehicle carries a mark starting with MP and an office number, and its details enter the state register of motor vehicles. Without it, the vehicle cannot legally be used on a public road.
What the registration gives you
You receive a certificate of registration (RC), issued in Form 23 under the central rules, and a registration mark for the plates. The RC records the owner, address, chassis and engine numbers, fuel, class of vehicle and any loan entry. Police, insurers and buyers all rely on this record.
Who issues it in Madhya Pradesh
Registration is done by the regional or district transport office for the area where the owner lives. Larger cities have a regional office and smaller districts have a district office, but each one issues numbers under its own code, from MP-04 in Bhopal to newer codes such as MP-70 for Agar Malwa.
What else can MP registration refer to?
People typing “MP registration” are not always asking about vehicles. The same words are used for MPOnline service sign-ups, registration on state job or scholarship portals, and even the registration of a Member of Parliament’s details. This page deals only with vehicle registration in Madhya Pradesh and the permits linked to it.
If you meant a licence
Driving licences are a separate system. In Madhya Pradesh licence services run through a Sarathi portal operated with MPOnline (sarathi.mponline.gov.in, listed by secondary sources). A licence is linked to the driver, while MP registration is linked to the vehicle.
How does MP registration work for a new vehicle?
For a new car, bike or scooter, MP registration usually happens at the dealer’s showroom. The dealer files the application on the transport system, collects tax and fees from you, and hands over the vehicle once a number is allotted. You seldom need to visit the RTO in person for a regular private vehicle.
- Buy and insure the vehicle. Collect the invoice, the Form 21 sale certificate and a valid insurance policy from the dealer.
- Dealer files Form 20. The dealer uploads the application with your identity proof and your Madhya Pradesh address proof.
- Pay tax and fees. Lifetime road tax and the registration fee are paid online, usually as part of the on-road price.
- Number is allotted. The system gives the next free number in your district’s series, or the choice number you booked.
- Plates and RC. The dealer fits high security plates and the RC is posted to you, with a digital copy available in DigiLocker.
The seven-day rule
Under Rule 47 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, the application must be made within seven days of taking delivery, not counting the journey time. Most dealers file it before delivery, which is why the on-road price already includes tax and registration charges.
When you need a temporary number
If you take the vehicle to another district or state before permanent registration, or if a truck chassis is waiting for its body, a temporary registration under Section 43 can be issued. It is valid for one month, extendable only in limited cases such as body building.
Which documents are needed for MP registration?
An MP registration application rests on four central forms and a few personal proofs. Form 20 is the application itself, Form 21 is the dealer’s sale certificate and Form 22 is the maker’s roadworthiness certificate. Add a valid insurance policy, your identity proof, proof of a Madhya Pradesh address and tax receipts.
Address proof decides the office
The address on your proof decides which district code the vehicle gets. A buyer who lives in Sagar but shows a Bhopal rental agreement will be registered under MP-04, not MP-15. Use the address where you actually live, because notices and the RC are posted there.
Extra papers in special cases
A financed vehicle needs the lender’s details for the hypothecation entry. Companies and trusts add an authorisation letter. A vehicle with a body built by a separate builder needs Form 22A. Imported vehicles need customs clearance papers, and a vehicle from another state needs its NOC.
What fees apply to MP registration?
The registration fee itself is set by the central rules, and Madhya Pradesh adds lifetime road tax, high security plate charges and service fees on top. The central amounts below are the most common ones. The final total for your vehicle is shown on the Vahan or dealer receipt before you pay.
| Item | Central amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New registration, private car | ₹600 | Light motor vehicle, non-transport |
| RC issued as a smart card | ₹200 extra | Added to the registration or renewal fee |
| Renewal at 15 years, private car | ₹5,000 | From 1 April 2022 |
| Renewal at 15 years, motorcycle | ₹1,000 | From 1 April 2022 |
| Late renewal, private vehicle | ₹300 a month | For each month of delay |
What we could not verify for MP
We could not confirm Madhya Pradesh’s own service charges, postal fee or HSRP price from an official source, so they are not listed. The Vahan fee screen shows each head separately, and the dealer’s breakup should match it line by line.
Paying safely
Pay only through the Vahan or Parivahan payment page or through your dealer’s receipted system. Keep the receipt number, because it is needed if a payment fails or the application stalls.
How is road tax collected at MP registration?
Road tax in Madhya Pradesh is paid once, as lifetime tax, at the time of registration for most private vehicles. It is a percentage of the vehicle’s cost and changes with price band and fuel. Secondary sources report 8% for a new car up to ₹10 lakh, with higher bands above that.
Where to find the full slabs
The full slabs, exemptions and payment steps belong on our road tax guide, so we keep this short here. The tax amount on your Vahan receipt is the one that counts, because rates are revised by state notification.
How is an MP registration number made up?
Every MP registration number follows the national pattern: the state code MP, a two-digit office number, one to three series letters and a number from 1 to 9999. A mark such as MP 09 CA 1234 therefore reads as Madhya Pradesh, Indore office, series CA, vehicle 1234.
How the series moves on
When all 9,999 numbers in a series are used, the office opens the next letters. The letters I and O are skipped because they look like 1 and 0. That is why old and new vehicles from the same district can carry very different letters.
Reading the code quickly
Our free decoder below reads any state and office code from the first four characters of a plate.
How are MP district codes allotted?
Each Madhya Pradesh district has its own office number, and new districts receive the next free numbers. MP-01 to MP-03 are kept at Bhopal for state government and police series, and private codes run from MP-04 upwards. The table lists a sample; the full list sits on our MP transport guide.
| Code | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MP-04 | Bhopal | State capital, private series |
| MP-07 | Gwalior | Gwalior district |
| MP-09 | Indore | Largest private series in the state |
| MP-13 | Ujjain | Ujjain district |
| MP-15 | Sagar | Sagar district |
| MP-17 | Rewa | Rewa district |
| MP-20 | Jabalpur | Jabalpur district |
| MP-70 | Agar Malwa | Newer district code |
| MP-71 | Niwari | Newer district code |
Codes for new districts
Districts formed in recent years, such as Maihar (MP-73), appear in directories, while codes listed for Pandhurna and Mauganj are not yet confirmed by an official source. If your district is new, the RTO will tell you which code applies.
Can you pick a choice number for an MP registration?
Yes. Madhya Pradesh offices offer choice or fancy numbers in the running series for an extra charge, booked before the vehicle is registered. The dealer then links the booked number to your application. Popular numbers such as 0001 or 9999 can go to auction when several buyers want them.
How booking usually works
You register on the choice number page, pick an available number in your district, pay the reserve price and then bid if others want it. The booking is tied to the office, so a number booked at Indore cannot be used for a vehicle registered at Bhopal.
Do new MP registrations come with high security plates?
Yes. Since 1 April 2019, every new vehicle in India must be supplied with a high security registration plate and the third registration mark sticker, fitted by the dealer. Secondary sources say older MP vehicles must also be fitted with them; the latest orders and booking steps are on our HSRP in MP page.
What the plate must show
Only the registration mark in standard letters and numbers is allowed. The plate carries a chromium hologram, a laser-etched serial number and the “IND” mark, and it is fixed with non-reusable snap locks.
Colour tells the use
Private vehicles use black letters on white, commercial vehicles black on yellow, and battery electric vehicles a green plate. A commercial colour on a vehicle without a permit is an immediate red flag at a check.
How do you re-register an out-of-state vehicle in MP?
If you move to Madhya Pradesh with a vehicle registered elsewhere, Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act allows you to use it for up to 12 months. After that the vehicle must carry an MP mark. You apply to the RTO for your new address with the old RC and an NOC from the previous state.
Papers to collect before you move
Ask the old RTO for an NOC on Form 28, which is filled in triplicate; one copy goes to you and one to the new authority. Clear pending challans and tax first, because many states refuse an NOC while dues are open. Read more on our no objection certificate guide.
At the Madhya Pradesh RTO
You submit the old RC, NOC, insurance, PUC, address proof and the application for a new mark. The office checks the chassis and engine numbers, collects MP tax and allots a new number. The old mark stops being used once the new one is issued.
How do you take an MP registration to another state?
When you move out of Madhya Pradesh, apply at your MP RTO for an NOC before you leave or soon after. The new state’s office uses it to issue its own number. The same 12-month limit applies in the new state, so starting early avoids fines at the other end.
Clear these before applying
Pay any pending challans, settle road tax and have the loan entry removed if the vehicle was financed and the loan is closed. If the loan is still running, the lender must give its consent on the NOC form.
Asking about a tax refund
Madhya Pradesh tax is paid for the whole life of the vehicle. Whether part of it can be refunded when you leave depends on state rules, which we could not verify. Ask your MP RTO for the refund form and the time limit when you apply for the NOC.
How do you change the owner on an MP registration?
A sale inside Madhya Pradesh needs a transfer of ownership on the RC. Under Section 50, the seller reports the sale within 14 days and the buyer applies within 30 days. Forms 29 and 30 are signed by both parties, and the buyer pays the transfer fee.
Steps in brief
The full process, forms and fees are on our vehicle ownership transfer online guide. In short, the seller hands over the RC, insurance, PUC and signed forms, and the buyer files the application at the RTO for the buyer’s address.
Transfer after the owner’s death
If the registered owner has died, the legal heir applies for transfer in the heir’s name with a death certificate and proof of succession. Do this before selling the vehicle on, or the buyer cannot be recorded as owner.
How to renew MP registration after 15 years?
A private vehicle’s RC is valid for 15 years from issue (Section 41(7)). After that it can be renewed for five years at a time, after a fitness test. Apply before the expiry date: late applications attract a delay charge of ₹300 for each month under the central fee rules.
What the renewal involves
The vehicle is inspected, the renewal fee is paid and a green tax may be charged by the state. Renewal fees rose from 1 April 2022 to ₹5,000 for a private car and ₹1,000 for a motorcycle, before state heads and the smart card charge.
When renewal is refused
A vehicle that fails the fitness test, has unpaid tax or is blocked by a court order will not be renewed. Old diesel and petrol vehicles may also face scrappage or age rules in some cities, so check local notices before paying for repairs.
Can an MP registration be moved to the BH series?
A vehicle can carry a Bharat series (BH) mark instead of an MP mark if the owner is eligible, such as defence staff, central or state government employees, or staff of private companies with offices in four or more states. The application goes through Vahan and the RTO verifies the employer’s certificate.
How BH differs from an MP number
A BH mark is not tied to one state, so the owner does not re-register when transferred. Tax is levied electronically for two years at a time instead of as lifetime tax. Eligibility, costs and forms are explained on our BH registration guide.
How are electric vehicles handled in MP registration?
Battery electric cars, scooters and bikes are registered through the same process as petrol and diesel vehicles, but they receive a green number plate, notified by MoRTH on 7 August 2018. Private EVs show white letters on green, and commercial EVs show yellow letters on green.
Fee relief for EVs
MoRTH proposed in a May 2021 draft to waive RC issue and renewal fees for battery-operated vehicles. We could not confirm the final notification or any Madhya Pradesh tax waiver, so check the fee screen on Vahan, where any exemption is applied automatically.
Slow-speed scooters
Some low-speed electric scooters are sold as exempt from registration. Ask the dealer for the type approval certificate that shows the speed and motor limits; a scooter that exceeds them must be registered like any other two-wheeler.
What is an MP transport permit check?
An MP transport permit check is a lookup of the permit attached to a commercial vehicle registered in Madhya Pradesh. Under Section 66, a taxi, bus, auto or goods vehicle may run on a public road only with a permit granted or countersigned by a Regional or State Transport Authority.
Who uses a permit check
Passengers and hirers check that a bus or cab is authorised for the route. Transporters confirm a vehicle’s permit before they hire it. Buyers of a used commercial vehicle check that the permit is valid and whether it can be transferred.
Permit is separate from registration
A vehicle can be validly registered but have an expired permit, or the other way round. A permit check therefore complements, rather than replaces, a registration search.
How do you do an MP transport permit check online?
The national Parivahan online permit service handles permit services for participating states, including permit status and print options. You sign in with the vehicle number and chassis digits, verified by OTP. If Madhya Pradesh is not listed for a service, the state transport portal or the RTA office handles it.
- Open the permit service. On parivahan.gov.in choose Online Services, then Vehicle Related Services and Online Permit.
- Select Madhya Pradesh. Pick the state that issued the vehicle’s registration and permit.
- Sign in with the vehicle. Enter the registration number and last five chassis digits, then the OTP sent to the registered mobile.
- Open status or print. Use the status or Print Permit option with the application or vehicle number.
- Read and save. Note the permit type, number, validity and route or area, and save the PDF.
Checking someone else’s vehicle
The OTP goes to the owner’s registered mobile, so you cannot sign in for another person’s vehicle. Ask the owner or operator to show the permit paper or its digital copy, which Rule 139 allows to be produced in electronic form.
Which permit types can an MP check reveal?
A permit check shows which kind of permission the vehicle holds. Common types are stage carriage (route buses), contract carriage (taxis and hired buses), goods carriage, national permit for goods vehicles and the All India Tourist permit. Each allows different routes, areas and passengers.
| Permit | Typical vehicle | Validity under the Act |
|---|---|---|
| Stage carriage | Route bus | 5 years, renewable |
| Contract carriage | Taxi, hired bus | 5 years, renewable |
| Goods carriage | Truck, pick-up | 5 years, renewable |
| National permit | Long-haul goods vehicle | 5 years, renewable |
| Temporary permit | Seasonal or special trips | Up to 4 months |
Long-distance permits
For goods vehicles crossing many states, see our national permit guide. Tourist vehicles use the All India Tourist permit instead, with its own fees and rules.
Which permit details should you verify?
When an MP permit record opens, compare it line by line with the vehicle in front of you. The registration number, permit number, type and expiry date must match the paper or digital copy. A mismatch can mean the permit belongs to a different vehicle or has lapsed.
Validity and renewal date
Under Section 81, most permits run for five years, and renewal is applied for at least 15 days before expiry. A permit close to its end date may be valid today but not for a long trip next month.
Route, area and seating
Stage carriage permits name the route, and contract carriage permits name the area. Check the seating or load limit too, because carrying more passengers or goods than the permit allows is a separate offence.
What if an online search shows no permit?
A missing record does not always mean the vehicle has no permit. Older permits may not be fully migrated, the state may not have enabled the service, or the number may have been typed wrongly. Recheck the registration number without spaces, then ask the operator for the original permit.
Contact the issuing authority
If the record is still missing, write to or visit the Regional Transport Authority that issued the permit, with the vehicle number. We do not list phone numbers or addresses that we could not confirm from an official source; use the office list on the MP transport website.
Report a doubtful vehicle
If a taxi or bus seems to run without a valid permit, note the number, time and place and report it to the traffic police or RTO. Do not confront the driver on the road.
What is the penalty for driving without registration in MP?
Using a vehicle that is not registered, or whose registration has been suspended, breaks Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Section 192 then applies, and Madhya Pradesh enforces the central amounts unless the state notifies different compounding fees.
| Offence | Central penalty |
|---|---|
| Unregistered vehicle, first offence | ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 |
| Unregistered vehicle, second or later offence | ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 or up to one year in prison, or both |
| Transport vehicle without a permit, first offence | Up to ₹10,000 and/or up to six months in prison |
Expired RC counts too
A private vehicle whose 15-year registration has lapsed without renewal is treated as not validly registered once the grace for late renewal is exhausted. Renew before the expiry date to avoid both the delay charge and a roadside fine.
Insurance follows registration
An insurer may question a claim for a vehicle that was used unregistered or without a permit. Keep the RC, permit and policy in the same name and address to avoid disputes after an accident.
Common mistakes in MP registration applications
Most rejected or delayed MP registrations come from a handful of avoidable errors. Wrong addresses, missing NOCs, loan entries left open and late re-registration cause the bulk of second visits to the RTO. Checking these before you apply saves time.
Names and numbers that do not match
The name on the invoice, insurance and identity proof must be spelt the same way. A single chassis digit typed wrongly can block tax payment, so compare the number on the vehicle with the papers.
Mobile number on the record
OTP-based services, including permit checks and RC downloads, need a working registered mobile number. Give your own number at registration, not the dealer’s or an agent’s.
Where to get help with MP registration
Start with your dealer for a new vehicle, and with the RTO for your address for transfers, re-registration and permits. National services are on Parivahan and Vahan, while state notices and office lists are on the MP transport website. For other states’ codes and offices, see our RTO codes hub.
Before you visit an office
Book any appointment the service asks for, carry originals and two sets of copies, and take the application number printed on the online receipt. Office timings are not printed here because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Beware of touts
You do not need an agent for a routine MP registration. Pay fees only through the official portal or a dealer receipt, and never hand over the original RC to anyone who promises a faster result.
Official links
Parivahan SewaNational portal, including the online permit service ↗Vahan citizen servicesRegistration, transfer, NOC and tax applications ↗MP Transport DepartmentState notices and office list ↗Ministry of Road Transport and HighwaysCentral rules and notifications ↗MP registration questions
What is MP registration?
It is the registration of a motor vehicle at a Madhya Pradesh RTO. The vehicle gets a mark that starts with MP, then the office number, series letters and a four-digit number.
How many days do I have to register a new vehicle in MP?
Rule 47 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules asks for the application within seven days of delivery, not counting journey time. Dealers usually file it before you take the vehicle home.
Can I keep my Delhi or Maharashtra number in Madhya Pradesh?
Only for a while. 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.
What is an MP transport permit check?
It is a lookup of the permit attached to a commercial vehicle registered in Madhya Pradesh, showing the permit type, number, validity and area or route.
Is a permit needed for a private car in MP?
No. Section 66 applies permits to transport vehicles such as taxis, buses, autos and goods carriers. A private car only needs registration, insurance, PUC and tax.
How long is an MP registration valid?
A private (non-transport) vehicle's RC is valid for 15 years from issue. It can then be renewed for five years at a time after a fitness check.
Can I get a BH number instead of an MP number?
Only if you are eligible, for example as a central or state government employee or an employee of a qualifying private company with offices in several states. The application goes through Vahan.
Which office handles my MP registration?
The RTO or district transport office for the address on your proof. If you live in Indore district, for example, the vehicle is registered under MP-09.
Is this site the MP transport department?
No. Parivahan Sewa is an independent guide. Applications and payments are made only on official Parivahan, Vahan or Madhya Pradesh transport portals.
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.