Vehicle Registration Decoder
Decode any Indian vehicle registration number to find the state, RTO district and vehicle category.
Indian vehicle registration format
Indian registration numbers follow the format: State Code (2 letters) + RTO District Code (2 digits) + Optional series letter + Serial number (1–4 digits).
Two letters identifying the state or union territory. MH = Maharashtra, DL = Delhi, KA = Karnataka, TN = Tamil Nadu, etc.
Two digits identifying the Regional Transport Office. MH01 = Mumbai (Central), MH02 = Mumbai (West), DL01 = Delhi North, etc.
One or two letters followed by 1–4 digits. When a series is exhausted (e.g. AA9999), the next series begins (AB0001).
Frequently asked questions
What does the RTO district code tell me?
The 2-digit number after the state code identifies the specific Regional Transport Office that issued the registration. Each district or major city has its own RTO code. For example MH01 is Mumbai RTO Central, MH43 is Pune RTO.
What is a BH series registration?
The Bharat Series (BH) registration was introduced in 2021 for vehicles owned by people who frequently transfer between states due to their job. BH vehicles can be re-registered in any state without a fresh application. The format is YY BH NNNN XX.
Can I find the owner's name from a registration number?
No — registration numbers do not encode the owner's name or personal details. To check ownership, use the Parivahan portal (parivahan.gov.in) or the mParivahan app maintained by MoRTH.
Why do some vehicles have yellow number plates?
Yellow number plates with black text are used for commercial vehicles (taxis, trucks, buses). White plates with black text are for private vehicles. Green plates with white text are for electric vehicles. Black plates with yellow text are for self-driven rental vehicles.
What does the OD state code stand for?
OD stands for Odisha. The state was officially renamed from Orissa to Odisha in 2011, and the vehicle registration code was changed from OR to OD from around 2012 onwards. Older vehicles in Odisha may still carry the OR prefix.