Types of Number Plates in India in 2024

Q: What does a red number plate mean?

Red number plates with white letters indicate temporary registration. New vehicles use this plate until a permanent registration number is issued by the RTO.

Number Plate	Color/Design	Purpose/Meaning
White	Black text on white background	Personal/private vehicles. Not for commercial use.
Yellow	Black text on yellow background	Commercial vehicles like taxis or trucks.
Black	Yellow text on black background	Rental/self-driven vehicles without a commercial driver.
Green	White text on green background	Electric vehicles (private use).
Red	White text on red background	Temporary registration plates for new vehicles.
Blue	White text on blue background	Vehicles used by foreign diplomats and embassies.
Upward-Pointing Arrow	Military insignia and arrow	Military vehicles under the Ministry of Defence.
Red with India’s Emblem	Red background with India’s Emblem	Official vehicles for high dignitaries like the President or Governors.

What is a Number Plate?

A number plate is an official identifier assigned to every registered vehicle, displaying a unique alphanumeric code. It helps identify the vehicle's owner, type, and purpose, ensuring legal compliance with road and traffic regulations.

White Number Plate

A white number plate with black text is used for private, non-commercial vehicles in India. These vehicles are strictly for personal use and cannot be utilized for any commercial activities like transportation services.

Yellow Number Plate

A yellow number plate with black text is assigned to commercial vehicles such as taxis, trucks, and buses. These vehicles are authorized for transportation services and are used for business purposes.

Black Number Plate

A black number plate with yellow text is used for self-drive rental vehicles. These vehicles are available for hire without a commercial driver and are commonly used for tourism and personal travel.

Green Number Plate

A green number plate is used for electric vehicles in India. It features white text for private EVs and yellow text for commercial EVs, promoting eco-friendly transportation.

Red Number Plate

A red number plate with white text is issued for vehicles with temporary registration. It is used until the permanent registration number is assigned by the RTO.

Blue Number Plate

A blue number plate with white text is used for vehicles owned by foreign diplomats and embassies in India. It signifies the vehicle's diplomatic status and provides certain privileges.

Number Plate with an Upward-Pointing Arrow

A number plate featuring an upward-pointing arrow is used for military vehicles. This design distinguishes vehicles under the Ministry of Defence and grants them specific privileges and exemptions.

Red Number Plate with India’s Emblem

A red number plate featuring India's emblem is used for official vehicles. These are typically assigned to high-ranking government officials, including the President, Vice President, and Governors, indicating their official status.

FAQ about Number Plate Colors in India

A white number plate with black letters is used for private vehicles. These vehicles are strictly for personal use and cannot be used for commercial transport or business purposes.

A yellow plate with black text is for commercial vehicles such as taxis, trucks, and buses. These vehicles are legally allowed to carry passengers or goods for hire.

A black number plate with yellow letters is assigned to self-drive rental cars. It means the vehicle is available for rent, but the driver does not need a commercial driving license to operate it.

Green number plates with white text are reserved for electric vehicles (EVs). They are used to encourage eco-friendly transport and apply to both private and commercial EVs.

Red number plates with white letters indicate temporary registration. New vehicles use this plate until a permanent registration number is issued by the RTO.

Blue plates with white text are used by vehicles belonging to foreign diplomats, consulates, and embassies. These plates often display the country code.

Military vehicles display an upward-pointing arrow along with alphanumeric codes. This indicates the vehicle belongs to the Indian Armed Forces and is operated under the Ministry of Defence.

A solid red plate featuring the Indian Emblem (Ashoka Pillar) is reserved for the President of India, Governors, and other high constitutional authorities. These are official vehicles of the highest dignitaries.