Color codes of Indian vehicle registration plates

While commuting on road, all of us must have observed certain vehicles following a color code for registration number plate and others following a different one but not all of us are aware what makes them to choose different color code for number plate. Lets find out why various color codes are utilized for number plate and what they stand for.
During the registration process, depending upon the purpose vehicle’s gonna serve on road respective color code for number plate is assigned by the government along with the registration number.
Below are the various type of number plates found on Indian road –
White number plate
White background number plate with black lettering refers to a private vehicle which is owned by an individual for personal usage. Vehicle with this number plate cannot be used for commercial purpose.
Image Source: Quora
Yellow number plate
Yellow number plate with black text on it refers to a commercial vehicle like taxi, trucks or buses. Commercial driving permit is required to drive these vehicle.
Image Source: Quora
Black number plate
Vehicles having black number plate with yellow text belongs to commercial vehicle which are available on rent for self-drive. Driving these vehicle doesn’t need any commercial driving permit.
Image Source: Quora
Blue number plate
Vehicles belonging to foreign consulates bear white lettering on a light blue background. These number plates represent the country code succeeded by UN (United Nations), CD (Diplomatic Corps) or CC (Consular Corps).
Image Source: Team-BHP
Red number plate
These number plates have red background with white lettering on it referring to a test vehicle which are being tested by the manufacturer in actual road conditions.
Image Source: Autocar
Red plate with gold emblem
The President of India and state governors travel in official cars without licence plates. They have the Emblem of India in gold embossed on a red background plate.
Image Source: Quora
Upward pointing arrow on number plate
Military vehicles follow a unique numbering system unlike any other license plate numbers. The numbers are registered under the Ministry of Defence, New Delhi. The first/third character is an upward-pointing arrow, known as a Broad Arrow, used in many parts of the British Commonwealth. The two digits succeeding the arrow show the year in which the Military procured the vehicle.
Image Source: Wikipedia

2 thoughts on “Color codes of Indian vehicle registration plates

  • December 26, 2018 at 5:44 pm
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    I want to buy 2011 model bmw 320d for self drive car business in Chennai could it be done I want to know the procedure.

    Reply
  • December 8, 2021 at 11:08 am
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    I buy a seplendor + 2021 model for self drive in jandk could it be done I want to know the procedure

    Reply

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