Last updated: September 2026 – checked against the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and current HSRP booking arrangements. Deadlines and fines vary by state, so confirm with your state transport department.
A High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) is a tamper-resistant aluminium number plate with built-in security features that make it hard to copy or swap between vehicles. It’s now mandatory for vehicles across India. This guide explains what an HSRP is, which vehicles need one, how to book it online, what the colour-coded sticker means, and what happens if your vehicle doesn’t have one.
Security Features of an HSRP
Together these make it much harder to put fake plates on a stolen vehicle or to use one vehicle’s number on another.
Which Vehicles Need an HSRP?
Since 1 April 2019, all new vehicles sold in India must be fitted with HSRPs by the dealer before delivery, so if your vehicle was bought after that date, it should already have them. For vehicles registered before April 2019, states have set their own deadlines for owners to replace old plates with HSRPs, and several states have extended these deadlines more than once. If you own an older vehicle, check your state transport department’s website for the current deadline; our Maha Parivahan guide covers Maharashtra, for example.
How To Book an HSRP Online for an Older Vehicle
Only use the official portal for your state. Look-alike websites have been known to take payments for HSRP bookings they never fulfil.
What the Colour-Coded Sticker Means
The windscreen sticker, the third registration mark, is colour-coded by fuel type so enforcement officers can identify a vehicle’s fuel at a glance: light blue for petrol and CNG vehicles, and orange for diesel vehicles. It also carries the registration number, the laser code and the engine and chassis numbers. This matters in cities that restrict older diesel or petrol vehicles, because it lets officers spot restricted vehicles quickly.
How To Tell If Your Plate Is a Genuine HSRP
If you’ve bought a used vehicle, or aren’t sure whether a previous fitting was genuine, check the plates yourself. A real HSRP has the chromium Ashoka Chakra hologram in the top-left corner, a laser-etched code (usually along the bottom edge), “IND” in blue, and is fixed with snap locks rather than ordinary screws that can be undone. The windscreen sticker should show the same registration number and be the right colour for the fuel type. Plates from roadside shops that copy the look but lack the laser code or hologram aren’t valid, and the vehicle can be fined as if it had no HSRP at all. If in doubt, book a replacement through the official portal.
How Much Does an HSRP Cost?
The price depends on your state and vehicle type, and includes the front and rear plates, the sticker and fitting. Two-wheelers are cheapest, while cars and commercial vehicles cost more, typically in the range of a few hundred rupees up to around ₹1,000 or so. Home fitment costs extra. The booking portal shows the exact amount before you pay.
Penalty for Not Having an HSRP
Driving without HSRPs after your state’s deadline can lead to a fine, and the amount is set by each state, commonly running into several thousand rupees. Some states also block RTO services, such as ownership transfer or change of address, until HSRPs are fitted. Non-standard plates, such as fancy fonts or tinted covers, are also an offence. See our traffic fines list and guide to different types of number plates.
If an HSRP Is Damaged or Stolen
If a plate is damaged in an accident or stolen, file a police report for a theft, then book a replacement through the same HSRP portal using your registration details. Don’t fit an ordinary plate as a stop-gap, since it will attract a fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HSRP mandatory for old vehicles?
Yes, in states that have notified a deadline for vehicles registered before April 2019. Check your state’s current deadline, as several have been extended.
My vehicle was bought after April 2019. Do I need to book an HSRP?
No. It should have been fitted by the dealer. If it wasn’t, contact the dealer.
Can I get an HSRP from any shop?
No. HSRPs are made and fitted only by authorised manufacturers and fitment centres, booked through the official portal. Plates from ordinary shops aren’t valid HSRPs.
Do I need new HSRPs after buying a used vehicle?
No, as long as the vehicle already has genuine HSRPs and keeps the same registration number. You only need new plates if the vehicle is re-registered with a new number, for example in another state.
Do electric vehicles need HSRPs?
Yes. Electric vehicles have green plates, but they’re still high security registration plates with the same features.
What colour sticker does a CNG car get?
Light blue, the same as petrol vehicles. Diesel vehicles get orange.
Related guides: Different Types of Number Plates, Vehicle Chassis Number, Vehicle RC Status.