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Types of Vehicle Number Plates in India

Posted by Bhargav Patel on

If you have ever taken a ride on Indian roads, you are likely to notice various types of number plates on the roads. There are different types of vehicle number plates in India based on the usage of the vehicle on the roads. Here are the eight different types of vehicle number plates you are likely to see on Indian roads. From EVs (electric vehicles) to government cars, every class of vehicle gets its type of number plate in India.

Let’s check the most common types of vehicle number plates in the Indian market.

Types of vehicle number plates in India



  1. White number plate with black text: The white number plates in India are provided to common citizens to use on their private vehicles and are permitted to visit almost all the public roads in the country. These number plates can be found on two-wheelers and four-wheelers mostly.
  2. Yellow number plate with black text: A yellow number plate with black text is a sign that the vehicle is being used for commercial purposes in India. Taxis, buses, trucks, and other related vehicles will have yellow number plates in India.
  3. Black number plate with yellow text: Black number plates with yellow lettering are used to define commercial vehicles that are used for self-driving and temporary rentals for citizens.
  4. Blue number plate with white text: Blue number plates are assigned to vehicles that belong to foreign missions, international organizations, and UN bodies. For your reference, you will be able to see  CC (Consular Corps), DC (Diplomatic Corps), and UN (United Nations).
  5. Black number plate with an arrow: Black number plates with arrows are used for defense vehicles. The numbering indicates the base and when a vehicle was procured with codes.
  6. Green number plate with white text: Green number plates with White text are exclusively given to electric vehicles in India. These vehicles are considered to produce zero carbon emissions. Hybrid vehicles do not get green number plates in India.
  7. Red number plate with white text: Red number plates are given as temporary vehicles in India. Cars being used in dealer test rides, applied for passing, and sometimes test mules also rock these number plates. But, a red number plate with a golden emblem is given exclusively to the Indian president.
So, next time you see a vehicle on the road with an odd number plate, you will know what kind of vehicle passing that is.