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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)ORIGINALChapter IV

Section 46-49

Registration Marks; Display; Two States; Validity of Certificates

Registration of Motor Vehicles
Fine: ₹500–₹10,000Compoundable: YesEndorsement: No
BARE ACT PROVISION

Legal Text

Section 46: Every motor vehicle shall display its registration mark in the prescribed manner. Section 47: The registration of a motor vehicle shall be valid throughout India. Section 48: Every certificate of registration shall be valid for a period of fifteen years and shall be renewable. Section 49: The registering authority shall maintain a register in the prescribed form.

Simplified Explanation

These four sections address the practical aspects of registration marks and certificates. Section 46 requires every vehicle to display its registration mark (number plate) in the prescribed manner and place — front and rear, in prescribed font, size, and colour. The 2019 Amendment mandated High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) — laser-etched, colour-coded, tamper-proof aluminium plates with a hologram sticker and chromium-based Ashoka Chakra. White plates with black text (private vehicles), yellow plates with black text (commercial vehicles), black plates with yellow text (rental vehicles), blue plates (diplomatic vehicles), and green plates (electric vehicles). Section 47 establishes national validity of registration — a vehicle registered in any state can legally be driven anywhere in India. Section 48 sets the RC validity at 15 years, after which re-registration is required (significant for older vehicles). Section 49 mandates the maintenance of the registration register — the basis for the Vahan portal.

Historical Context

Number plate standardisation was a major enforcement issue in India for decades — customised fonts, fancy designs, and illegible plates made traffic camera identification impossible. HSRP standardisation was a significant improvement for automated enforcement.

Critical Changes

HSRP (High Security Registration Plates) mandated under 2019 Amendment for all vehicles — phased rollout.

Colour-coded plates: white (private), yellow (commercial), green (electric), blue (diplomatic).

RC validity: 15 years for new vehicle; renewal required.

Penalty for fancy/non-standard number plates: Section 177 fine.

Practical Scenarios

"A car with a custom font number plate saying 'DL-12-BIG-BOSS' — non-standard plate, Section 46 violation."
"A 16-year-old Maruti 800 on the road — RC expired (15-year validity); needs re-registration."
"An electric vehicle — must have green plates under Section 46/HSRP rules."

Common Queries

White plates with black text: private vehicles. Yellow plates with black text: commercial/transport vehicles. Black plates with yellow text: rental/self-drive vehicles. Blue/white plates: diplomatic vehicles. Green plates: electric vehicles (battery-operated). Red plates with white text: temporary registration.
An RC is valid for 15 years from registration. After 15 years, the vehicle must be re-registered. For vehicles over 15 years old, annual fitness certificates may be required. In some states, vehicles over 15 years face restriction on use in certain areas (NGT orders on old diesel vehicles in Delhi NCR).
No — Section 46 and the HSRP mandate require standardised number plates. Fancy fonts, coloured backgrounds, LED frames, and non-standard sizes are all violations. The penalty is a fine under Section 177.