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Vehicle Registration Codes in India
(State-wise RTO Code List)

Quick Answer

Vehicle registration codes in India are unique identifiers assigned to each state and RTO (Regional Transport Office). These codes appear on vehicle number plates, such as MH for Maharashtra and DL for Delhi, followed by district codes, series letters, and unique numbers.

Summary

This complete guide explains vehicle registration codes in India, including state-wise RTO codes, number plate formats, and examples. It helps users understand how vehicle numbers are structured and how to identify vehicle origin across India. 🚗


What are vehicle registration codes in India?

Vehicle registration codes are official identifiers assigned by Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in India. These codes help track and identify vehicles based on their registration location, ensuring proper record-keeping and compliance with transport laws.


What is RTO?

RTO stands for Regional Transport Office, a government authority responsible for vehicle registration, driving licenses, and transport regulation. Each RTO has a unique code used in vehicle number plates.


Vehicle Number Plate Format in India

The standard vehicle number plate format follows this structure:

PartExampleMeaning
State CodeMHMaharashtra
RTO Code01Mumbai
SeriesABAlphabet series
Number1234Unique number

Example: MH01AB1234 🚘


How do vehicle registration codes work?

Vehicle registration codes work by assigning a unique combination of letters and numbers to each vehicle. The first part identifies the state, followed by the RTO office, and then a unique series and number to distinguish each vehicle.


State-wise Vehicle Registration Codes in India

State/UTCode
Andhra PradeshAP
Arunachal PradeshAR
AssamAS
BiharBR
ChhattisgarhCG
DelhiDL
GoaGA
GujaratGJ
HaryanaHR
Himachal PradeshHP
JharkhandJH
KarnatakaKA
KeralaKL
Madhya PradeshMP
MaharashtraMH
ManipurMN
MeghalayaML
MizoramMZ
NagalandNL
OdishaOD
PunjabPB
RajasthanRJ
SikkimSK
Tamil NaduTN
TelanganaTS
Uttar PradeshUP
UttarakhandUK
West BengalWB

Popular RTO Codes (Major Cities)

CityCode
MumbaiMH01
DelhiDL01
BangaloreKA01
ChennaiTN01
KolkataWB01

Who should understand vehicle registration codes?

Vehicle owners, buyers, transport professionals, and law enforcement agencies should understand registration codes. It helps identify vehicle origin, verify documents, and ensure legal compliance. 🚔


Real-Life Examples

Example 1: MH12 indicates Pune RTO. 🚗

Example 2: DL01 represents central Delhi. 🏙️

Example 3: KA05 identifies Bangalore region. 📍


Checklist for Vehicle Registration

  • Verify RTO code
  • Check documents
  • Ensure correct number plate format
  • Follow legal rules

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using incorrect number plate ❌
  • Ignoring RTO codes ❌
  • Not verifying registration ❌
  • Using fake plates ❌

Process Flow: Vehicle Registration

Purchase vehicle → Submit documents → RTO verification → Assign code → Issue number plate → Register vehicle. 🔄


Download RTO Code List

Download the complete vehicle registration codes list. 📥

vehicle-registration-codes-india.pdf


Internal Resources

Explore more guides at Important Codes, Lists & Reference Guides.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is vehicle registration code?

It is a unique identifier assigned to vehicles by RTO.

What does MH mean?

MH stands for Maharashtra.

What is RTO code?

RTO code identifies regional transport office location.

How to read number plate?

State code + RTO code + series + number.

Is number plate format same across India?

Yes, it follows a standard format nationwide.


Conclusion

Vehicle registration codes in India help identify vehicles and ensure proper regulation. Understanding these codes is essential for vehicle ownership, compliance, and verification. 🚗

Visit Important Codes, Lists & Reference Guides for more useful content.


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External Resources:

👤 Author: ShineCap Team | 📅 Published on: 25th April, 2026 | ✏️ Modified on: 25th April, 2026

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ShineCap – The Technical Guide is a simple and practical platform focused on tax and compliance topics in India. We provide step-by-step guides on Income Tax, GST, TDS, and Professional Tax, along with useful tools and reference resources to help you complete tasks easily and accurately 🙂. Learn more about us

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