Tired of Re-Registration? Do BH Series Number Plate Conversion From Old Plate

If you are a car owner in India, then you must know about the difficulty of re-registering your car every single time whenever you move to a new place. The procedure is time-consuming, and there is a lot of paper, and which usually comes with extra costs. So, to solve the issue, the government of India came up with the BH (Bharat) Series number plate in 2021. It is a revolutionary step towards making vehicle ownership easier for people who usually relocate.

But what if you already have a car with the conventional state registration number plate? Can you BH Series Number Plate Conversion on your old car? The answer to this question is yes, you can if you are meeting the eligibility and following the right procedure.

In this blog, you will learn about what a BH series number plate is, its benefits, who can get a BH registration, the process of how to convert an old car number plate to a BH series number plate, the difficulty of converting to a BH series, and significant tips towards it.

What is a BH Series Number Plate?

The registration of the BH (Bharat) series was launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) around September 2021. Unlike traditional state-specific registrations (eg, MH, DL, KA, etc.), the BH series is valid throughout India, removing the need for registration when transferring your residence or work to a state.

Format of a BH Number Plate

Below you will see a general example of a BH series number plate.

23BH 1230 AB

• 23 – It is the year of registration
• BH – It is a Bharat Series
• 1230 – Any number allocation
• AB – A random alphabet

Advantages of BH Series Number Plate Conversion

Here are some of the benefits of changing to a BH series number plate:

Pan-India Validity

Suppose you do your BH Series Number Plate Conversion. In that case, it hardly matters which state you move into, as your vehicle is legally registered and therefore no re-registration or NOC (No Objection Certificate) is needed.

Easy Taxation

Road tax is usually imposed in blocks of 2 years (or multiples like 4,6, & 8 years), unlike state plates, where you have to pay for 15 years straight up. This lessens the financial stress.

Cost-saving

If you sell your car before then, you will not lose money on unused road tax (as you have ended up in state registration).

Convenience for Persistent Movers

It is ideal for professionals in transferable jobs like defence personnel, PSU employees, and private sector workers.

Nationwide Identification

This BH plate forms your vehicle easily identifiable as pan-India registered, preventing harassment during interstate travel.

Who All Can Go For the BH Series Registration?

Not everyone can do the BH Series Number Plate Conversion. The government has defined the eligibility properly.

Eligible Categories Include:

• State Governmental employees
• Central Government employees
• PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) employees
• Defense personnel
• private-sector employees whose companies have offices in 4 or more states/UTs

Significant Note

• The personnel car owners without transferable jobs or corporate backing are not eligible.
• Only a few eligible employees can apply for either new vehicles or the BH Series Number Plate Conversion from the old ones.

Can You Convert a BH Series Number Plate Conversion on Your Old Car?

Yes, you can change to a BH Series Number Plate for Old Cars, but there are specific conditions. At the start of the BH registration, it was only accessible for new cars at purchase. Still, the changes from 2022 onwards permitted the existing vehicles with the state registration to get the BH Series Number Plate Conversion, given to the eligible owner.

This states:

• You can apply for the conversion if you already own a car and match the eligibility criteria.
• You must pay the road tax according to the BH standards (in 2-year cycles).

Step-by-Step Procedure to BH Series Number Plate Conversion

Let’s break down this BH Series Vehicle Number Plate Process in detail:

1. Check the Engine Eligibility

Before applying, make sure that you belong to the selective category. Keeping up the employment proof ready, such as:

• Official ID card (PSU/Government/ Private Company).
• Form 60 (if employed in the private sector, stating company offices in 4+ states).

2. Collect the Needed Documents

You will require –

• Address proof (passport, Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc).
• RC (Registration Certificate) of your present car.
• Form 60 (for private employees).
• Employment ID card or proof of service.
• Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.
• Valid insurance certificate.

3. Apply it Online Through the Parivahan Portal.

The ministry has entirely digitalized the procedure, so here are the steps that you can follow:

• Go to the Parivahan Sewa Portal.
• Click on “vehicle-related services”.
• Choose your RTO and state.
• Select “BH Series Number Plate Conversion“.
• Fill out the application details, upload the needed documents, and pay the applicable fees.

4. Payment of Road Tax

• The road tax is usually paid for 2 years ( or multiples thereof) for BH plates.
• The tax rate is calculated according to the invoice price of the car (excluding the GST).
• Cars below ₹10 lakh must pay road tax at around 8% of the invoice price.
• The car in the price range of ₹10–20 lakh has a road tax of around 10% of the invoice price.
• Cars above ₹20 lakh need to pay road tax of around 12% of the invoice price.
• Diesel vehicles are overcharged as they usually produce more pollution and therefore have an additional 2% tax over the base rate.
• Electric vehicles are being discounted as they promote eco-friendly mobility, so the electric cars get a 2% concession on the base tax rate.

Disclaimer – This information might get changed with time so for latest information do check the official road tax-related website.

5. Verification by the RTO

Your application is further given to the RTO. The authority verifies:

• Vehicle information
• Your employment status
• Payment confirmation

6. Insurance of the BH Number Plate

Once approved, your car’s old state registration is cancelled, and a new BH series RC will be issued. You can then get a BH complaint number plate from an authorised vendor.

Things You Must Consider Before Changing

1. Not Accessible to Everyone

If you are a self-employed professional or a small business owner, you might not qualify until your company has offices in more than four states.

2. Transfer the ownership

Suppose you have sold your BH-registered car to a buyer who is not eligible for BH. The vehicle would have to be BH Series Number Plate Conversion back to the state-specific registration.

3. Road Tax Refunds

The number of cars is changing from the state number to BH. Earlier taxes paid are not automatically refunded; you must apply separately for the refunds from the state RTO.

4. Insurance and PUC

Both should be valid and updated before putting them for conversion.

Benefits of Changing Your Old Car into a BH Series

Here are a few of the advantages of the BH Series Number Plate Conversion, as mentioned below:

• Flexibility in Tax payment – Pay according to how you use it instead of 15 years altogether.
• Mobility – Perfect for transferable jobs.
• Future-Proof – With more awareness, the BH series is more likely to form a more common, adding value to your car.
• Resale Ease – Simple to sell a BH vehicle throughout India.

Difficulty in Changing It

Though it has many advantages, it also comes up with some issues as follows:

• Technical Glitches – The Parivahaan Sewa Portal usually goes with issues.
• RTO Staff Awareness – A Few RTOs are still not thoroughly trained in managing the BH Series Number Plate Conversion, which can lead to delays.
• Eligibility Restrictions – Most private citizens are prohibited.
• Refund Delays – Obtaining an unused state tax refund is a lengthy process.

Valuable Tips for Getting a Seamless Conversion

Here are some helpful tips for getting this BH Series Number Plate Conversion done smoothly:

• Keep the physical and digital copies of all the needed documents.
• Apply it on weekdays, as the portals are more stable these days.
• Ensure your company’s HR gives you the Form 60 (Private Employees).
• If you relocate, apply for it before shifting to prevent additional taxation.
• Select an authorised number plate maker for approval.

Conclusion

The BH series of number plates has been greeted with reform for India’s growing mobile workforce. BH Series Number Plate Conversion on your old car is a clever move if you usually relocate due to your job or get into the eligible categories. This saves time, money, and paper, and gives you the freedom to drive anywhere in India without worrying about registration.

Although there are challenges with bureaucracy delay and eligibility, the benefits remove discomfort. With time, as adoption and awareness grow, we expect the BH series to form a basic form for vehicle registration throughout India. Hence, if you are eligible and planning to move, switch it today, as your car deserves a BH identity that goes with your lifestyle, and along with this, it also deserves proper care, which you can provide with Ultraguard Ultimate Paint  Protection Film.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Q1. Can I apply for the BH series even if my car has not been financed for a loan?

Yes, you would require a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the bank for the finance company before applying, as the RC is hypothecated.

Q2. Can I keep my old number even after changing to the BH series?

No, once your car is converted, the state registration is cancelled and has been replaced with a new BH series number.

Q3. Do I have to reapply for BH every 2 years?

Yes, you have to reapply for BH every 2 years, but only to pay the road tax. The registration itself remains valid. You can choose to pay for 2, 4, 6, or 8 years at any time, at your convenience.

Q4. What happens if I miss paying my BH road tax on time?

A late payment of the BH road tax attracts the penalties just like basic state registrations. It might also render your vehicle incapable of road use until the dues are cleared.

Q5. Is the BH plate available in all states of India?

Yes, according to MoRTH, the BH series is valid throughout the country. Though some RTOs are still in transition, the procedure might be seamless in specific states.