The Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mumbai has introduced the ‘BH’ (Bharat) Series registration system for people who frequently travel to different states for employment, business, or tourism purposes. Under this scheme, vehicle owners are required to pay road tax every two years. Failure to do so attracts a penalty of Rs 100 per day. More than 10,000 vehicles have already been registered under the BH Series at the Tardeo, Borivali, and Andheri RTO offices in Mumbai. However, several vehicle owners failed to pay the required tax on time, resulting in penalties amounting to lakhs of rupees for many defaulters across the city.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways introduced the Bharat Series registration system on August 26, 2021, and its implementation began from September 15, 2021. Under the BH registration category, vehicle owners must pay motor vehicle tax every two years at a rate 25 percent higher than the notified state tax rate applicable in the state where the vehicle is currently being used. The initiative was launched to reduce the burden on RTO offices related to inter-state vehicle transfers. However, if the tax is not paid after the two-year period, a fine of Rs 100 per day is imposed, which can reach nearly Rs 36,000 annually.
According to official data, Mumbai Central RTO has registered around 4,270 BH Series vehicles, while Borivali RTO has recorded approximately 3,326 registrations and Andheri RTO nearly 2,909 vehicles. The scheme is mainly aimed at individuals whose jobs involve regular transfers between states. Employees of the central and state governments, defence personnel, bank employees, and administrative staff are eligible to apply for the BH Series. Employees working in private companies that have offices in four or more states can also avail themselves of the facility. The scheme has become increasingly popular among professionals who frequently relocate due to transfers and official responsibilities.
The BH Series registration offers major convenience to government and private sector employees who are transferred from one state to another. Vehicle owners do not have to undergo the lengthy and expensive process of re-registering their vehicles every time they move to a different state. This saves both time and money while simplifying interstate vehicle movement. To apply for the BH Series, applicants must log in to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ vehicle portal and fill out Form 20. Private sector employees are also required to submit Form 60, a work certificate, and a copy of their employee identity card along with uploading all necessary documents and paying the motor vehicle tax online.