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    BH Number Plate Road Tax: How It Works & How Much You Pay

    • Motor Blog

    • 22 May 2026

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      368 Viewed

    Contents

    • How Much Do You Have to Pay for a BH Number Plate Road Tax?
    • How Do States Calculate Road Tax for Regular Registration?
    • How to Pay BH Number Plate Road Tax Online?
    • Do You Need a BH Number Plate Road Tax Refund?
    • How Does BH Registration Work Over Regular Registration?
    • Final Words
    • FAQs

    Missing the BH number plate road tax payment deadline can lead to additional charges and unnecessary penalties. Under the BH (Bharat) series registration system, vehicle owners are required to pay road tax in two-year instalments instead of a one-time payment.

    However, if the payment is delayed, a penalty of ₹100 per day is automatically charged, increasing the overall tax liability. Scroll down to learn more about the Bharat Series road tax calculation.

    How Much Do You Have to Pay for a BH Number Plate Road Tax?

    You must be wondering, “How does the BH Number plate road tax work?”

    The BH Bharat series road tax calculation considers the tax slab and vehicle invoice price. For the BH series road tax calculation, the government considers 8% tax on the vehicle invoice price.

    Vehicle Price

    Petrol Vehicles

    Diesel Vehicles

    Less than ₹10 lakh

    8%

    10%

    ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh

    10%

    12%

    More than ₹20 lakh

    12%

    14%

    The government applies extra charges of approximately 2% on diesel vehicles and reduces the rate by 2% on electric vehicles. However, an individual vehicle owner does not have to pay the BH number plate road tax entirely for 15 years, but in 2-year intervals or multiples of 2.

    The formula used to calculate the BH registration tax is:

    2-year BH series road tax = (15-year BH number plate road tax × 1.25 × 2) / 15

    Suppose the invoice value of your car, petrol vehicle, is ₹14 lakhs. The total tax payable is 10% of this invoice, which is ₹1, 40,000.

    Here, the 2-year BH series number plate tax payable = (1,40,000 × 1.25 × 2) / 15

    = (1,75,000 × 2) / 15

    = 3,50,000 / 15

    = 23,333.33 ≈ ₹23,334

    So, you have to pay ₹23,334 in road tax for 2 years.

    In case you have an electric vehicle, the 15-year tax rate would be 10% - 2% = 8%

    Imagine you have a ₹12,49,000 Tata Nexon EV, so calculate the 15-year BH tax rate for this EV Slab for ₹10–20 lakh vehicles.

    15-year BH tax, 8% of ₹12,49,000 = ₹12,49,000 × 0.08 = ₹99,920

    2-year BH Series Road Tax for EV = (99,920×1.25× 2​) / 15

    = (1,24,900 × 2) / 15

    = 2,49,800 / 15

    = 16,653.33 ≈ ₹16,654

    You have to pay it every 2 years for the first 14 years. From year 15, payment becomes annual.

    Also Read: New Bharat Series Number Plates: Eligibility, Application Process & Benefits

    How Do States Calculate Road Tax for Regular Registration?

    With regular vehicle registration, you pay the entire road tax at once when you buy the car. Most states charge this tax for 15 years upfront for private vehicles. The rate depends on your state rules and the car’s price.

    For example, if your state charges 10% and your car costs ₹15 lakh, you pay ₹1.5 lakh as road tax on the day of registration. The big problem comes when you move. If you shift to a new state, you must register the car again and pay road tax there, also.

    You can ask your old state for a refund, but the process takes a lot of time and paperwork. This is the main difference: the BH series tax vs normal registration tax calculation and payment services.

    How to Pay BH Number Plate Road Tax Online?

    You can pay your BH number plate road tax online and finish the process in minutes.

    1. Start by opening the official Parivahan portal.

    2. Select your state from the options shown.

    3. Enter the vehicle registration number in the given box.

    4. Complete the Aadhaar check and move ahead.

    5. After verification, head to the Online Services section and pick the tax payment option.

    6. Enter the last 5 digits of your chassis number when prompted.

    7. Next, look for Tax Details and choose Lump Sum 2-Year as your payment plan.

    8. Confirm your vehicle details, then pay the amount using your preferred method.

    Once the payment succeeds, the portal updates your record and shows the new tax expiry date.

    Also Read: Tripura RTO Office: RTO Codes, Services, and Vehicles Registration Process

    Do You Need a BH Number Plate Road Tax Refund?

    Based on the current BH series rules, BH road tax is paid every 2 years. So, generally, you cannot apply for the BH Number Plate Road Tax Refund.

    In specific cases, you can apply for a BH number plate road tax refund:

    If You Paid 15 Years of Road Tax Upfront by Mistake

    Government mandates BH number plate road tax in 2-year installments at 25% higher BH registration tax rate. Some states in India earlier allowed a 15-year lump-sum payment for the BH number plate road tax.

    So, if you paid the entire 15-year road tax but later surrendered the BH number or shifted to regular registration, you can claim a BH number plate road tax refund for unused years.

    If Your BH Eligibility Ends and You Shift to Regular State Registration

    The BH facility is for eligible employees. If you leave the job, sell the car to a non-eligible buyer, or the state cancels your BH registration, you will convert to a regular number. In that case, you have to pay the 15-year state normal regular registration tax upfront.

    So you can ask for a BH number plate tax refund for the future period that you have already paid for.

    Also Read: RTO Form 35: How to Download, Fill & Submit for Hypothecation

    How Does BH Registration Work Over Regular Registration?

    Defence staff, bankers, IT professionals, and government employees change cities often. BH registration cuts the hassle and saves money on repeated road tax and agent fees. Over the years, the savings and convenience really add up.

    1. Allow to Spend Less at the Start 

    Normal registration forces you to pay 15 years of road tax on day one. With BH, you only pay for 2 years. That frees up cash when you buy the car.

    2. Offer Seamless Movement across India

    BH plates stay valid in every state and city. You can take a job in Bangalore, then move to Delhi next year, and your car paperwork stays the same. No new number, no new tax.

    3. Help Selling the Car Simpler

    If your buyer lives in another state, you do not need to worry about NOCs or re-registration delays. The BH number transfers easily, so deals close faster.

    BH registration simplifies road tax, but you still need valid insurance to protect your car. Bajaj General Insurance offers a Private Car Package Policy that stays active across states in India with your BH number plate.

    Final Words

    The BH number plate road tax varies based on the vehicle price. It allows you to drive and relocate anywhere in India without re-registering in a new state. In case of an accident or theft, a BH series number plate helps authorities identify vehicles quickly.

    With a BH number plate, having car insurance is a convenient way to get coverage against accidents, theft, and cashless repairs in network garages.

    Install the Bajaj General’s mobile app, and you can buy, claim, renew, or track your policy instantly. It keeps you road legal wherever you move with your job.

    FAQs

    Do I have to pay more road tax under BH plate registration compared to regular car registration?

    No, the total road tax amount is the same. The only difference between BH number plate registration and regular registration is that you pay the BH registration in smaller instalments instead of the entire amount up front.

    What happens if I sell my car to someone who is not eligible for a BH number plate registration?

    The new car owner can continue using their BH number plate registration until the next renewal period. However, after that, the car owner must re-register the car under the standard system.

    Can I convert my standard car registration into a BH number plate registration?

    No. If you registered under the standard government system, you cannot convert it into a BH number plate registration.

    What happens if I miss the BH number plate registration renewal deadline?

    If you miss the BH registration renewal deadline, it leads to penalties. Timely renewal is important to ensure continuous valid registration.

    Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions.

    Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.

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