Colour coding of Number Plates

Colour coding of Number Plates in India

Permanent Registration

• Private vehicles:
  • Private vehicles, by default, have black lettering on a white background
  • Vehicles which run purely on electricity have white lettering on a green background
• Commercial vehicles:
  • Commercial vehicles such as taxis, buses and trucks, by default, have black lettering on a yellow background
  • Vehicles available on rent for self-drive have yellow lettering on a black background
  • Vehicles which run purely on electricity have yellow lettering on a green background
• Vehicles belonging to foreign missions:
  • Vehicles registered to an embassy or United Nations have white lettering on a blue background
  • Vehicles registered to a consulate have yellow lettering on a blue background
• Vehicles registered by Indian Armed Forces have white lettering starting with an arrow on a black background

Temporary Registration

• Unsold vehicles belonging to a vehicle manufacturer or a dealer have white lettering on a red background
• Sold vehicles awaiting a permanent registration have red lettering on a yellow background