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The vehicle's number plate comes in rainbow colours: blue, yellow, green, red, and black. Every number plate colour has a significant meaning.
Among them, the black number plate is one of the most commonly misunderstood vehicle registration plates in India. It is issued for specific types of vehicles and comes with certain eligibility criteria.
In this article, we will explain the meaning of a black number plate, who can use it, and the regulations associated with it.
What is a Black Number Plate?
A black number plate is issued to commercial vehicles that are rented out without a driver. These vehicles are commonly known as self-drive rental cars. The plate has a black background with yellow letters and numbers.
Unlike taxis and other commercial vehicles that come with a driver, vehicles with a black number plate are rented to customers who drive the vehicle themselves. They are commonly used by car rental and travel companies.
The real-life example of self-driving rental cars is Zoom Cars.
Read about different types of number plates in India.
The vehicle must first be converted into a self-drive rental vehicle and registered under the applicable commercial rental category. The owner must also obtain the necessary permits and approvals from the RTO before a black number plate can be issued.
Who is Eligible for a Black Number Plate?
A black number plate is not available for every vehicle owner. It is issued only to vehicles that are legally registered for self-drive rental services with the RTO (Regional Transport Office).
The following entities are generally eligible for a black number plate:
- Car rental companies
- Rent-a-car operators
- Travel agencies offering self-drive vehicles
- App-based self-drive rental platforms
Note: A commercial driving licence is not required to drive a black number plate vehicle. A person with a valid private driving licence can legally drive a self-drive rental car with a black number plate.
Vehicles That Can Have a Black Number Plate
The following vehicles can have a black number plate:
- Self-drive rental cars
- Rental SUVs
- Rental MUVs
- Luxury rental vehicles
- Vehicles operated by car rental companies and travel agencies
Documents Required to Obtain a Black Number Plate
To obtain a black number plate for a self-drive rental vehicle, you generally need the following documents:
- Vehicle Application Form (Form 20)
- Sales Certificate from the dealer (Form 21)
- Road Worthiness Certificate (Form 22)
- Commercial vehicle insurance policy for self-drive rentals
- Company registration documents, such as a GST certificate or business licence
- KYC documents of the owner/operator (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, and address proof)
- Vehicle purchase invoice
- Temporary Registration (TR) certificate, if applicable
- Form 20: Application form used to register a vehicle with the RTO.
- Form 21: Sales certificate provided by the vehicle dealer at the time of purchase.
- Form 22: Certificate issued by the manufacturer confirming that the vehicle meets road safety and emission standards.
How to Apply for a Black Number Plate in India?
Follow these steps to get a black number plate for a self-drive rental vehicle:
Step 1: Submit an Application to the RTO
Apply to your local RTO to convert the vehicle into a self-drive rental vehicle.
Step 2: Pay the Required Fees
Pay the permit and registration charges. The permit fee generally ranges between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. While HSRP (High-Security Registration Plate) and number plate charges are usually Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.
Step 3: Complete Vehicle Inspection
The RTO will inspect the vehicle to ensure it meets safety and registration requirements.
Step 4: Receive Approval
Once the application and inspection are approved, the RTO will process your request for a black number plate.
Step 5: Install the Black HSRP
The black High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) will be issued and installed by the RTO or an authorised vendor.
After completing these steps, the vehicle can legally operate as a self-driving rental vehicle with a black number plate.
Rules for Using a Black Number Plate
If a vehicle has a black number plate with yellow letters, it must follow certain rules. These rules ensure that the vehicle is used only for its approved purpose.
- The vehicle must be registered as a self-drive rental vehicle.
- Only companies or rental service businesses can register vehicles with black number plates.
- The vehicle must have a valid registration certificate, permit, fitness certificate (if applicable), and commercial vehicle insurance policy.
- A customer renting the vehicle can drive it with a valid driving licence. A separate commercial driving licence is not required.
- The vehicle should not be used for unauthorised passenger transport or taxi services.
- The number plate must follow the prescribed format and visibility standards.
- The commercial permit and licence associated with a black number plate are generally valid for 5 years.
- The renewal should be done 30 days before its expiry date. The renewal fee ranges between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000.
- Self-driving vehicles with black number plates can travel across India. However, some states may require additional interstate permits.
Penalties for Misusing a Black Number Plate
Violations involving black-number-plate vehicles are penalized under various provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Depending on the nature and severity of the offence, authorities can impose a fine, imprisonment, or both. In some cases, the vehicle can also be seized by transport or traffic authorities.
| Number Plate Offence | Fine (Rs) | Imprisonment |
|---|---|---|
| Using an unauthorized, altered, or incorrect number plate | Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 | Not specified |
| Not Carrying Documents | Generally treated as a minor lapse. | May reflect poor compliance with regulations. |
| Operating a commercial rental vehicle without a valid permit (Section 66/192A) | Up to Rs 10,000 | First Offence: Up to 6 months
Second Offence: Extends up to 1 year |
| Operating a commercial rental vehicle without valid registration (Section 39/192) | First Offence: 2,000 to 5,000
Second Offence: up to 10,000 |
First Offence: Not Specified
Second Offence: Can extend up to 1 year |
| Driving a commercial vehicle without valid insurance (Section 196) | First Offence: 2,000
Second Offence: 4,000 |
Up to 3 months |
| Using a private vehicle for commercial rental services without proper registration | This is not a separately prescribed penalty in the Act. In practice, it is generally treated as a registration/permit violation. | |
| Using fancy fonts, stickers, symbols, or non-standard number plates | As prescribed under applicable traffic rules | Not specified |
Black Number Plate vs Yellow Number Plate
Here are some of the differences that exist between a black number plate and a yellow number plate:
| Feature | Black Number Plate | Yellow Number Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Self-drive rental vehicle | Commercial transport vehicle |
| Who is the Driver | Custome | Hired person |
| Driving Licence Required | Regular driving licence | Commercial driving licence (for driver) |
| Common Examples | Zoomcar, self-drive rental cars | Taxi, cab, bus, auto-rickshaw |
| Purpose | Vehicle rental without a driver | Passenger or goods transport for hire |
Conclusion
A black number plate is specially issued for self-drive rental vehicles and cannot be used on regular private vehicles. While these vehicles are registered as commercial vehicles, they can be legally driven by customers with a valid private driving licence.
The understanding of the eligibility criteria, application process, usage rules, and penalties helps to stay compliant with RTO regulations.
FAQs
A black number plate with yellow letters is mainly used for self-drive rental vehicles, such as cars rented through rental companies. On the other hand, a black number plate with white numbers in India is generally used on certain government-assigned or special-purpose vehicles.
A black number plate is used for self-drive rental vehicles that customers can rent and drive themselves without a hired driver.
Black number plates are generally issued to car rental companies, travel agencies, and self-drive rental operators that meet the RTO requirements.
The permit fee generally ranges from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, while HSRP and number plate charges are usually between ₹500 and ₹1,000.
No, a private vehicle must first be converted into a self-drive rental vehicle and obtain the necessary approvals before getting a black number plate.
Yes, a valid private driving licence is enough to drive a self-drive rental vehicle with a black number plate.
No, a black number plate vehicle cannot be used for passenger transport with a hired driver unless the required permits are obtained.
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