
Ever seen a Blue number plate in India while driving and still not aware of what it actually means?
Blue Number Plates in India are not very common on the road, but are especially used for vehicles of foreign diplomats, ambassadors, and officials from international embassies. These are individuals who live and work in India.
The blue colour helps easily identify that the vehicle belongs to someone with special status, unlike regular citizens. To know more about this number plate, join us in this blog.
What is a Blue Number Plate in India?
Blue number plates in India are given by the Ministry of External Affairs to cars of foreign diplomats, embassy staff, and UN officials who work in India. It has a blue background with white letters and numbers.
A blue number plate simply shows that the vehicle belongs to someone from another country who is officially working with the Indian government. They use a country-code (up to three digits), followed by “CD/CC/UN”, then a vehicle number.
There is no public application process because they are issued only to authorised diplomatic or international officials working in India.
Who is Eligible for Blue Number Plates in India?
Blue number plates are not for regular vehicle owners. Only special officials who come from other countries and work in India are allowed to use them.
The eligible group of people for the Blue Number Plate in India is:
- CD - Used for embassy vehicles of foreign diplomats known as Corps Diplomatique.
- CC - Used for consulate officials known as Corps Consulaire.
- UN - Used by the United Nations and its related organisations.
Benefits of Blue Number Plates in India
Blue Number Plates in India grant certain diplomatic privileges under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which may include immunity from certain local laws, fines, and tolls. Here are some key benefits of having a blue number plate in India:
- Special recognition on the road: These plates help easily identify vehicles of foreign diplomats and international officials.
- Diplomatic privileges: Vehicles with blue plates often get special rights under international agreements.
- Smooth movement: They may get certain relaxations in traffic rules, checkpoints, and parking areas for safety and security.
- Security protection: Police and traffic authorities offer extra protection because the vehicle belongs to an important official from another country.
- Clear communication of status: The plate shows the official rank (embassy, consulate, UN), making it easy for authorities to respond properly.
General Laws for Vehicle Number Plates in India
In India, every vehicle must have a proper number plate to run on the road. It is given by the RTO under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. To make number plates safer and clearer, the government has updated some rules. These new rules are in effect from 1 October 2020.
Here are the important points to consider:
- Orange sticker for diesel vehicles
- Blue sticker for petrol and CNG vehicles
Conclusion
Blue number plates in India are special and are used only by foreign diplomats, consulate members, and UN officials working in the country. These plates help identify them easily on the road and ensure they receive the necessary security and privileges.
So, if you ever spot a car with a blue number plate, you will know it belongs to an important international representative in India.
FAQs
Blue number plates are used by foreign diplomats, consulate officials, and United Nations representatives working in India.
They are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs along with the local RTO.
CD stands for embassy vehicles, CC for consulate vehicles, and UN for United Nations vehicles.
No, only authorised international officials can have these number plates.
Because they belong to diplomats who follow international laws and have diplomatic privileges while working in India.
