While driving on the road, you may have noticed various colors on the number plates of cars, bikes, trucks, and buses. White number plates are the most common, but not all vehicles have the same color. The color of the number plate easily indicates whether a vehicle is for personal or commercial use, or belongs to a specific category. In India, vehicle number plate colors are determined based on their usage and category. So, let us understand the meaning of these colors.
White Number Plate
The white number plate is the most common type. These are generally used for personal vehicles. Cars, bikes, scooters, and other personal vehicles feature black letters and numbers on a white background. This indicates that the vehicle is primarily used for personal purposes. Such vehicles are generally not used for passenger transport or other commercial activities.
Yellow Number Plate
Yellow number plates are primarily used for commercial vehicles. Taxis, cabs, auto-rickshaws, buses, and many goods-carrying vehicles feature yellow plates. These plates typically display the registration number in black. This signifies that the vehicle is used for commercial purposes and is registered in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Green Number Plate
Green number plates are used for electric vehicles. Private electric cars and bikes use green plates with white lettering. Similarly, electric commercial vehicles also use green plates. This makes it easy to identify electric vehicles on the road. The government has designated a distinct color for them to differentiate them from petrol and diesel vehicles.
Red Number Plate
Red number plates are not typically seen on everyday vehicles. They are primarily used for temporary registration. Temporary numbers are issued in specific situations after purchasing a new vehicle, prior to obtaining a permanent registration number. These plates display the vehicle’s temporary registration number and are valid for a limited period.
Blue Number Plate
Blue number plates are for special vehicles. These are generally seen on vehicles belonging to foreign embassies and diplomatic missions. Instead of a standard registration number, these plates display a unique identifier.
