HSRP Number Plate

What is HSRP?

HSRP stands for High Security Registration Plate. It's a standardized, tamper-proof vehicle number plate introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) under Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989.

Unlike the old number plates that you could easily remove, replace, or duplicate at any local sign shop, the HSRP is designed to be nearly impossible to tamper with. It's made of aluminium with a retro-reflective sheet (visible from over 200 metres at night) and is fixed to the vehicle using non-removable, non-reusable snap locks. Once installed, you can't take it off without breaking the locks, and once broken, the same plate can't be reused.

Security Features of HSRP

Here's what makes an HSRP different from a regular number plate:

1. Chromium-based Ashoka Chakra hologram: A 20mm x 20mm hologram hot-stamped on the top left corner of both front and rear plates. This hologram is extremely difficult to replicate and confirms the plate is genuine.
2. Laser-etched Permanent Identification Number (PIN): A unique 10-digit alphanumeric code laser-engraved on the bottom left of the plate. This PIN is linked to the vehicle's records in the national database and can be scanned by authorities and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras.
3. "IND" inscription: The text "INDIA" is inscribed at a 45-degree angle on the letters and numbers of the plate.
4. Retro-reflective sheeting: The plate background uses a special reflective material that makes it clearly visible at night, even from a distance of over 200 metres. White for private vehicles, yellow for commercial vehicles.
5. Non-reusable snap locks: The plate is fastened with snap locks that break if someone tries to remove them. Once broken, the plate can't be reinstalled. You'd need to order a new one.
6. Hot-stamped alpha-numerals: The letters and numbers are hot-stamped with black foil, not just painted or stuck on like old plates.

All of this makes the HSRP virtually impossible to duplicate, tamper with, or swap between vehicles. If someone tries to remove it, the snap locks break and the plate gets damaged, making it immediately obvious that the plate has been tampered with.

Who Needs HSRP?

Every vehicle registered in India needs an HSRP. This includes:

• Two-wheelers (bikes, scooters)
• Three-wheelers (auto-rickshaws)
• Four-wheelers (cars, SUVs, vans)
• Commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, taxis)
• Tractors, trailers, and other heavy vehicles

1. Vehicles registered after April 1, 2019 already come with HSRP plates fitted by the dealer at the time of purchase. You don't need to do anything separately.
2. Vehicles registered before April 1, 2019 are the ones that need to replace their old plates with HSRP. This is where most people are still non-compliant.

HSRP Number Plate Format

The standardized HSRP format across India is:

XX 00 XX 0000

Where:

• XX = State code (e.g., DL for Delhi, MH for Maharashtra, KA for Karnataka)
• 00 = RTO district code (e.g., 01, 02, 03)
• XX = Series letters (assigned sequentially)
• 0000 = Vehicle number (4-digit number)

All text is in English only with a standardized font. No regional language text, no fancy fonts, no 3D lettering, no decorative elements. If your current plate has any of these, it's non-compliant and needs to be replaced with HSRP.

Number Plate Colour Rules

HSRP plates follow this same colour scheme. Private vehicles get white HSRP, commercial vehicles get yellow HSRP.

Colour-Coded Fuel Sticker (Third Licence Plate)

Along with the HSRP plates, there's another component that's now mandatory: the colour-coded fuel sticker, also called the third licence plate or third registration mark. This is a tamper-proof sticker placed on the inside of the windshield (top-left corner for four-wheelers) and acts as a third identification mark for your vehicle.

The sticker is self-destructive, meaning if anyone tries to peel it off, it gets visibly damaged and can't be reused or transferred to another vehicle.

What the Colours Mean

What's on the Sticker

The sticker isn't just a colour indicator. It contains:

• Vehicle registration number
• Engine number
• Chassis number
• Laser-etched 12-digit PIN (same as on the plates)
• Name of the registering state (e.g., "Govt. of Maharashtra")
• Hologram seal for authenticity

Who Needs the Colour Sticker?

The colour-coded sticker is mandatory for all three-wheelers and four-wheelers. Two-wheelers don't get the windshield sticker (since they don't have a windshield), but they do need the HSRP plates.

If your vehicle already has HSRP plates but is missing the colour sticker, you can order just the sticker separately without changing the plates.

Green Strip for BS-VI Compliance

If your vehicle is BS-VI compliant (Bharat Stage 6 emission norms), the colour sticker will have a 1cm green strip across the top. This strip appears regardless of fuel type. So a diesel vehicle will have an orange sticker with a green strip, a petrol vehicle will have a blue sticker with a green strip, and an EV will have a green sticker with the green strip.

This helps authorities quickly identify which vehicles meet the latest emission standards. It's especially important during pollution emergencies like GRAP restrictions in Delhi-NCR, where only BS-VI vehicles may be allowed entry into certain zones. If your vehicle was manufactured after April 2020 (when BS-VI norms became mandatory in India), it will have the green strip on the sticker.

How to Apply for HSRP Online (New HSRP + Colour Sticker)

The process is entirely online. You don't need to visit the RTO for this.

Which Portal to Use?

There are multiple authorized portals depending on your state and vehicle brand. The main ones are:

• BookMyHSRP (bookmyhsrp.com) - covers Delhi, UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and several other states
• Order Your HSRP (orderyourhsrp.com) - covers UP, Delhi, Odisha, Gujarat, MP, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Assam
• SIAM Portal (siam.in) - redirects to state-specific vendors for states like Karnataka, Rajasthan, and others
• State-specific portals - some states like Maharashtra have their own portal (hsrpmh.com)

Some states have overlap (like Delhi and UP appearing on both bookmyhsrp and orderyourhsrp). The authorized vendor also depends on your vehicle brand. For example, Maruti vehicles might be handled by one vendor while Hyundai by another in the same state.

If you're still confused, visit your local RTO. They'll tell you exactly which portal and vendor is authorized for your vehicle.

How to Apply for HSRP Online Through SIAM Portal

SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) is the official body that manages HSRP booking across India. The SIAM portal at siam.in works as a gateway. It collects your details, identifies the authorized vendor for your vehicle brand and state, and redirects you accordingly.

Step-by-Step Process

• Go to siam.in
• Click on "Book HSRP" on the homepage
• You'll be taken to a registration form. Fill in:
  • Your Name
  • Email Address
  • Mobile Number
  • Vehicle Registration Number
  • State
  • District

• Tick the "I Agree" checkbox (terms and conditions / privacy policy)
• Click Submit
• On the next page, select your vehicle brand (Maruti, Hyundai, Tata, Honda, Kia, Mahindra, etc.)
• You'll be redirected to the authorized vendor portal for your vehicle brand and state. For many brands, this redirects to orderyourhsrp.com. For others, it may go to a different state-specific vendor

• On the vendor portal, click "Order Your HSRP Now" (or similar button)
• Enter your vehicle details:
  • Registration Number
  • Chassis Number
  • Engine Number
  • Fuel Type (petrol/diesel/CNG/electric)
  • Vehicle Type (private or commercial)
• The system fetches your vehicle details from the Vahan database. Verify that the make, model, owner name, and other details match your RC
• Select Fitment Location: Choose from the list of authorized fitment centres or dealers near you. If home delivery is available in your area, that option will also show up
• Choose Appointment Slot: Pick a date and time for the installation
• The Booking Summary appears with:
  • Vehicle details
  • Fitment location
  • Appointment date and time

Fee breakdown (HSRP plates + colour sticker + home delivery if selected + GST)

• Verify everything carefully
• Pay online via UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking
• After payment, download and save the receipt. You'll also get a confirmation SMS and email
• On the appointment date, visit the fitment centre with:
  • Your vehicle
  • Booking receipt (on phone or printed)
  • Original RC (physical or digital on DigiLocker/mParivahan)
  • Aadhaar card (for identity verification)
• The technician will:
  • Remove your old number plates
  • Install the new HSRP plates using non-reusable snap locks (front and rear)
  • Place the colour-coded fuel sticker on the inside of the windshield (top-left corner)
• Check the plates and sticker before leaving. Verify that the registration number, hologram, and PIN are correct
• Done. You're HSRP compliant

For Only Colour Sticker (HSRP Already Installed)

If your vehicle already has HSRP plates but the Third License Plate (TLP) colour sticker is missing:

• Go to the vendor portal you were redirected to from SIAM (e.g., orderyourhsrp.com or depending on your state)
• Select "Only Colour Sticker" option

• Enter:
  • Registration Number
  • Chassis Number
  • Engine Number
  • Front Laser Code (10-digit code on bottom-left of your front HSRP plate)
  • Rear Laser Code (10-digit code on bottom-left of your rear HSRP plate)
  • Captcha
• Click to proceed
• Select fitment location or home delivery
• Choose appointment slot
• Pay online (around ₹100 plus taxes)
• Download receipt
• Visit fitment centre or wait for home delivery
• Sticker placed on the inside of windshield (top-left)

How to Track Your HSRP Order

• Go to the vendor portal where you placed the order
• Click on "Track Your Order"

• Enter Order Number (from receipt), Registration Number.
• Click Submit
• Status shows: pending, processed, manufactured, or ready for fitment

You'll also get an SMS when plates are ready.

HSRP Replacement (Damaged, Lost, or Stolen)

If your HSRP plate gets damaged, lost, or stolen, you need to get a replacement through the same authorized portal. Go to the vendor portal (orderyourhsrp.com or whichever portal you used originally), select the Replacement option, enter your vehicle details and reason for replacement, choose a fitment location and appointment slot, and pay online. Save the receipt. On the appointment date, visit the fitment centre with your vehicle, booking receipt, RC, and Aadhaar card. The technician will remove the old/damaged plate and install the new HSRP. The replacement cost is similar to the original HSRP fee for your vehicle type.

Documents Required

You don't need to upload any documents online. But keep these handy:

• Vehicle RC (for registration number, engine number, chassis number, registration date)
• Aadhaar card (for identity verification at the fitment centre)
• Booking receipt (after online payment)

At the fitment centre, they may ask to verify the RC, so keep it with you (digital RC on DigiLocker or mParivahan is also accepted).

HSRP Fees

The cost depends on your vehicle type and state. Here's a general range:

1. Colour-coded sticker only (if plates already have HSRP): around ₹100 plus taxes.
2. Home delivery charge (where available): ₹100 to ₹300 extra on top of the HSRP cost.

These are approximate figures and include GST. The exact amount will be shown on the payment page when you book. Prices may vary slightly depending on the vendor and state.

Penalties for Not Having HSRP

Under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, driving without HSRP is a violation. The penalties are:

The fine applies separately for missing HSRP plates and missing colour-coded sticker. So if you're missing both, you could be fined for each.

Beyond the fine, not having HSRP can also create problems during:

• Ownership transfer: The Vahan portal may flag non-compliance
• NOC application: Some states check HSRP status before issuing NOC
• Hypothecation removal: Non-compliance can cause delays
• Duplicate RC: HSRP status shows in vehicle records
• Insurance claims: While not a direct rejection reason, non-compliant plates add complications during disputes
• e-Challan system: ANPR cameras rely on standardized plate formats. Non-HSRP plates may not be read correctly, leading to unmatched challans or repeated fines

State-Specific Enforcement

Enforcement varies by state. Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Haryana have been the most aggressive in issuing challans. Other states are catching up. The general direction is clear: HSRP will be enforced everywhere eventually.

In Delhi, enforcement drives have been running regularly, with traffic police issuing challans of ₹5,500 for vehicles without HSRP or colour sticker. In Maharashtra, the deadline has been set and extended multiple times, but enforcement is now active in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Nagpur. In UP and Haryana, similar drives are ongoing, especially in NCR areas.

If your vehicle is registered in a state that's actively enforcing HSRP and you're driving with old plates, it's only a matter of time before you get a challan.