BH series number plate: who is eligible, road tax rates and how to apply

For people whose jobs involve frequent transfers from one state to another, changing a vehicle's number plate each time can be a major headache. The Bharat (BH) series number plate is meant for such people. The scheme was launched in 2021. Under it, eligible vehicle owners who move and settle in another state do not need to get their vehicle registered afresh for that reason alone. The facility is optional and is available only to those who meet the stipulated conditions.

First, the vehicles covered. BH registration is for non-transport vehicles meant for private use, such as cars and two-wheelers. Defence personnel, central and state government employees, and employees of public sector undertakings can apply. Employees of private companies with offices in at least four states or Union Territories may also be eligible.

On documents, an employee of a private company has to submit a working certificate in Form 60 as proof of the place of employment. Government employees can submit an identity card or a service certificate, as the rules provide. After checking eligibility, the registration authority approves the application.

Now, road tax. Under this scheme, tax can be paid every two years, or in multiples of two years, instead of paying for a long period in one go. This spreads out the initial cost. However, the total outgo is not necessarily always lower.

The tax is determined by the vehicle's invoice price, excluding GST, and by the type of fuel. For vehicles priced below Rs 10 lakh, the basic rate is 8% for petrol, CNG and hybrid, 10% for diesel and 6% for electric. For vehicles priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, the rates are 10%, 12% and 8% respectively. For vehicles priced above Rs 20 lakh, the rates are 12%, 14% and 10%.

The two-year tax is worked out using the applicable rate, the vehicle's invoice price and a 25% surcharge. If payment is delayed by more than 7 days beyond the due date, Rs 100 a day may have to be paid separately. From the 14th year of the vehicle's registration, the tax has to be paid every year.

As for how to apply, an eligible person buying a new car or two-wheeler can ask the dealer for BH registration. The dealer submits the application on the VAHAN portal along with the required documents. Eligibility checks, tax payment and approval follow.

A vehicle that already carries a state number plate can also be converted to the BH series. This requires Form 27A, the existing registration certificate (RC) and employment-related documents. If the vehicle is under a loan or lease, additional documents may be needed. Approval depends on verification by the registration authority concerned.

A BH number plate follows the format YY BH #### XX. A preferred VIP number cannot be chosen in this series in the usual way. The arrangement is convenient for those who change states often because of their jobs. Even so, it is important to check the vehicle's tax and eligibility before applying.