Special number plates in India
Not every number plate belongs to the standard state-plus-office pattern. Some are temporary, some are trade-related, and some exist for different administrative purposes.
6 min read · 10 February 2026
Special categories
6+
BH eligible entities
4 types
Temp registration
30 days
Trade plates valid
1 year
Special Registration Categories
Format Reference
Why special plate categories matter
A user who sees an unfamiliar plate is usually trying to answer: what category is this, is it legitimate, and does it follow normal state-wise format?
These plates are part of the registration ecosystem but should not be decoded as ordinary state RTO codes.
Common categories users encounter
BH registrations — for interstate portability (central allocation, not state RTO).
Temporary registrations — short-lived (30 days max), for vehicles in transit to a new registration location.
Trade certificates — for unregistered vehicles being moved between places (showroom to buyer, workshop, etc.)
Frequently asked questions
Are all Indian number plates state-code based?
No. Some categories like BH or temporary registrations follow a different administrative logic.
How long is a temporary registration valid?
Temporary registration is valid for 30 days and cannot be renewed. The vehicle must be registered permanently before it expires.