RTO Office Codes India - Complete List of All RTO Codes by State
Vehicle Registration Codes in India - How to Read and Understand Number Plates
Every vehicle plying on Indian roads carries a registration number plate, and that alphanumeric code tells you exactly which state and city the vehicle is registered in, along with the local RTO that issued it. Understanding this system is useful whether you are buying a second-hand vehicle, checking a vehicle's history, or simply curious about what those letters and numbers mean on the plate.
India follows a standardized vehicle registration format: SS-DD-CC-NNNN where SS = State Code, DD = District Code (RTO), CC = Alphabet Series, and NNNN = Serial Number. For example, MH-01-AB-1234 means Maharashtra, Mumbai Central RTO, AB series, vehicle number 1234.
How the Indian Vehicle Registration System Works
The registration number system is governed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) and administered by each state's transport department. The format has been consistent since the 1980s, though newer High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) have been mandated across India since 2019.
Here is what each part of a registration number means:
The first two letters identify the state or union territory. For example, MH stands for Maharashtra, DL for Delhi, KA for Karnataka, TN for Tamil Nadu, and so on. These codes are standardized nationally.
The two digits after the state code identify the specific RTO office within that state. For example, MH-01 is the Mumbai Central RTO, while MH-02 is the Mumbai West RTO. In smaller states, there may be only one or two RTO codes.
These letters are a running series that increments when the numeric series is exhausted. It starts with AA, then AB, AC, and so on. When AZ is reached, the series moves to BA, BB, and continues.
The final four digits are the unique serial number assigned to the vehicle, ranging from 0001 to 9999. When 9999 is reached, the alphabet series advances to the next letter.
Complete State Code List
Here is the complete list of two-letter state and union territory codes used in vehicle registration numbers:
| State Code | State / Union Territory | Capital |
|---|---|---|
| AP | Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati |
| AR | Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| AS | Assam | Dispur |
| BR | Bihar | Patna |
| CG | Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
| CH | Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| DD | Daman and Diu | Daman |
| DL | Delhi | New Delhi |
| DN | Dadra and Nagar Haveli | Silvassa |
| GJ | Gujarat | Gandhinagar |
| GA | Goa | Panaji |
| HR | Haryana | Chandigarh |
| HP | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
| JH | Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| JK | Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar |
| KA | Karnataka | Bengaluru |
| KL | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
| LA | Ladakh | Leh |
| LD | Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
| MH | Maharashtra | Mumbai |
| ML | Meghalaya | Shillong |
| MN | Manipur | Imphal |
| MP | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
| MZ | Mizoram | Aizawl |
| NL | Nagaland | Kohima |
| OD | Odisha | Bhubaneswar |
| PB | Punjab | Chandigarh |
| PY | Puducherry | Puducherry |
| RJ | Rajasthan | Jaipur |
| SK | Sikkim | Gangtok |
| TN | Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| TR | Tripura | Agartala |
| TS | Telangana | Hyderabad |
| UK | Uttarakhand | Dehradun |
| UP | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| WB | West Bengal | Kolkata |
Major City RTO Codes
Here are some commonly seen RTO codes for major Indian cities:
MH-01: Mumbai Central, MH-02: Mumbai West, MH-03: Mumbai East, MH-04: Thane, MH-05: Kalyan, MH-06: Raigad, MH-07: New Bombay
DL-1: Delhi North, DL-2: Delhi South, DL-3: Delhi West, DL-4: Delhi East, DL-5: Delhi Central, DL-6: Delhi South-West, DL-7: Delhi North-West
KA-01: Bengaluru Central, KA-02: Bengaluru West, KA-03: Bengaluru East, KA-04: Bengaluru North, KA-05: Bengaluru South
TN-01: Chennai Central, TN-02: Chennai South, TN-03: Chennai North, TN-04: Chennai East, TN-05: Chennai West
Special Registration Categories
Beyond regular private vehicles, India has special registration series for specific purposes:
- Bharat Series (BH): Introduced in 2021 for individuals who frequently move between states (central government employees, private sector employees). BH registration is valid across India without needing re-registration in a new state.
- Defence Vehicles: Registered with an upward arrow symbol followed by numbers. These belong to the Indian Armed Forces.
- Diplomatic Vehicles: Use the code CD (Corps Diplomatique) or CC (Consular Corps) followed by country code and serial number.
- Electric Vehicles: Some states have started using green number plates with white letters for electric vehicles to distinguish them from ICE vehicles.
- VIP/Fancy Numbers: Special numbers like 0001, 0786, 1111, etc. can be obtained through e-auction on the Parivahan portal for a premium fee.
If you are buying a used vehicle from another state, check that the registration number matches the state where you plan to use it. You may need to get the vehicle re-registered in your home state, which involves obtaining an NOC from the original RTO and paying fresh road tax.
High Security Registration Plates (HSRP)
Since 2019, all new vehicles must come fitted with High Security Registration Plates. These plates feature:
- A chromium-based Ashoka Chakra hologram
- A laser-etched permanent identification number
- Retro-reflective film for visibility at night
- Snap locks that make it impossible to remove the plate without breaking it
Older vehicles also need to get HSRP fitted. Check with your local RTO or the Parivahan portal for HSRP application details and authorized vendors in your area.
Driving without HSRP can attract a fine of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 depending on the state. Many states have started enforcement drives, so get your HSRP fitted at the earliest.
How to Check Vehicle Details Using Registration Number
You can look up vehicle details using just the registration number through these methods:
Open the app, go to the vehicle search section, and enter the full registration number. You will see the vehicle make, model, fitness status, insurance validity, and any pending challans.
Visit vahan.parivahan.gov.in and use the "Know Your Vehicle" feature. Enter the registration number and captcha to view basic vehicle details.
Send an SMS with "VAHAN [registration number]" to 7738299899 to receive basic vehicle details on your phone.
- Indian vehicle registration follows the SS-DD-CC-NNNN format
- First two letters represent the state or union territory
- Next two digits identify the specific RTO office
- Major cities have multiple RTO codes (e.g., MH-01 to MH-07 for Mumbai region)
- BH series is for inter-state vehicle registration
- HSRP is mandatory for all vehicles
- Use mParivahan app to check vehicle details by registration number
Understanding Different Types of Number Plates
India uses a color-coded number plate system to quickly identify the type of vehicle and its usage category. Understanding these distinctions helps both vehicle owners and enforcement agencies:
This is the standard format for private vehicles. Cars, two-wheelers, and other personal-use vehicles carry this plate. The vehicle cannot be used for commercial purposes with this registration type.
Commercial vehicles like taxis, auto-rickshaws, trucks, and buses use yellow number plates with black lettering. These vehicles require a commercial permit and the driver must hold a commercial driving licence.
Electric vehicles use green number plates with white lettering (for private EVs) or yellow lettering (for commercial EVs). This distinction was introduced to promote eco-friendly vehicles and provide them certain benefits like reduced road tax in some states.
Temporary registration plates use a red background with white letters. These are issued when a new vehicle is purchased and the permanent registration has not yet been completed. Temporary registration is valid for up to 30 days.
How to Decode a Vehicle Registration Number - Examples
Let us break down a few real-world examples to help you understand how to read any Indian vehicle registration number:
MH = Maharashtra, 02 = Mumbai West RTO, CD = Running alphabet series, 5678 = Unique serial number. This vehicle was registered at the Mumbai West RTO in Maharashtra.
DL = Delhi, 8C = Delhi South-West RTO, AB = Alphabet series, 1234 = Serial number. Note that Delhi uses alphanumeric district codes like 8C, 9C for some newer RTOs.
KA = Karnataka, 05 = Bengaluru South RTO, MZ = Late alphabet series indicating many vehicles registered, 9999 = Last number in series before the alphabet advances.
Be cautious of agents promising VIP numbers for a flat fee. All fancy numbers must be obtained through official e-auctions on the Parivahan portal. The base price starts at ₹1,000 and popular numbers like 0001 can fetch lakhs at auction. Never pay an agent outside the official system.
Registration Number Format Changes Over the Years
The Indian vehicle registration system has evolved significantly since independence. In the early years, some states used single-letter codes. The current two-letter system was standardized in the 1980s to accommodate the growing number of states and vehicles.
With the introduction of the BH series in 2021, the government signaled a shift toward a more flexible system that reduces the burden on vehicle owners who move between states. Future changes may include fully digital number plates with embedded RFID chips for automated toll collection and traffic enforcement.
The transition to HSRP has also brought standardization in plate dimensions and font sizes, making it easier for automated cameras to read registration numbers for e-challan systems deployed in major cities.