High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP): Its Benefits and How to Apply for One?

High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) in India are vehicle license plates that meet specific security and quality standards set by the government to ensure greater security, prevent counterfeiting, and enhance vehicle traceability. These plates are mandatory for all vehicles sold after a designated date, as per the rules set by the respective state governments.

Features of HSRP

To bring transparency and reduce fraudulent activities, the MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) introduced the implementation of the high-security registration plates. From 1st April 2019, it has become compulsory for vehicle owners to have an HSRP number plate and a colour code sticker in both old and new vehicles.

And, if someone has bought a vehicle before 2019, he/she has to get the new HSRP number plate without fail. The government has made it mandatory that HSRP number plates for old vehicles is a must, to be road compliant.

1. Prevents vehicle-related scams

The first and foremost advantage of the HSRP is that it helps prevent vehicle-related fraud. It contains all the information about the vehicle and the owner in a central database. This helps concerned authorities to locate the stolen vehicle quickly and stop all the crimes associated with it.

2. Convenience in tracking

Authorities can easily track the HSRP number plates through the laser identification recognition system. The unique identification number present in the HSRP can be detected very easily by the ANPR-enabled cameras present on the road. Besides, the hologram and the unique identification code in the HSRP help ascertain the vehicle’s authenticity.

3. Snap-on locks

The Snap-on locks present in the high-security registration plates cannot be reused or replaced. It is not possible to remove them in normal situations. The high security feature of the number plate prevents the fraudster from duplicating or removing the number plates. 

4. Readable fonts

Before the introduction of the high security number plate, vehicle owners used to customise their number plates as per their preferred font, colour, etc. This made vehicle tracking very difficult. The standard font used in these number plates helps the police to read the number plate easily. 

Difference between Normal Plate and HSRP

• The old number plates were made of number stickers; hence, tampering and manipulating them was very easy. Further, it can be easily switched or taken out. On the other hand, the high-security registration plate installed on the vehicle can be easily scanned if it is stolen. 
• The high-security registration plate has colour-coded stickers. This helps in differentiating the different vehicle classes and types. This colour-coded sticker was not there on the old number plates. 
• In terms of design, the HSRP has the same font styles and designs across all the vehicles. This helps in bringing transparency. On the other hand, vehicle owners were allowed to customise the old number plates. This made vehicle tracking difficult. Also, there are snap-locks in HSRP that were not in the old number plate. 

What is the HSRP Colour-coded Sticker?

The Government of India mandates the incorporation of HSRPs and colour-coded stickers for all vehicles. Vehicle owners have to put the colour-coded sticker on the vehicle’s windscreen. By analysing the colour-coded sticker, you can understand the fuel type of the vehicle and the vehicle’s Bharat stage. The petrol and CNG cars get the blue sticker, the electric car gets the green colour sticker, and the diesel car gets the orange one. 

How to Apply for HSRP?

Here are the steps that will help you complete high security number plate online apply:

Step 1: Go to the government-authorised HSRP website: https://www.bookmyhsrp.com/

Step 2: Enter the chassis number, owner name, vehicle number, vehicle class, vehicle type, fuel type, vehicle registration state, etc. You also have to choose between transport and non-transport options.

Step 3: You have to set a username, and you will get a password on the registered mobile number.  

Step 4: Go ahead and book the appointment slot at your preferred time and date. You must verify all the details before initiating the payment. 

Step 5: You have to use the username and password to log in and make the payment. After that, a receipt will be generated in the PDF format. Download or take a printout of the receipt. 

Once your HSRP Registration is ready, a message will be sent to the registered mobile number. The HSRP home application can be done at your current location. Visit the HSRP official portal to confirm the availability of this facility. 

You can also apply for a high-security registration plate offline by visiting the nearest regional transport office. You can also get your hands on HSRP from a vehicle dealer who is providing the number plates. 

Read more: Vehicle Number Plates: Components, Types, and Regulations

How do you check the online status of your HSRP number plate application?

Here are the steps that will help you check the online HSRP status:

Step 1: You have to go to the HSRP official website. On the top right-hand side, you will get the ‘Track Your Order’ option

Step 2: On the redirected page, you will have to enter the order number, vehicle registration number, captcha, and input captcha.

Step 3: Click on the ‘Search’ option to know about the HSRP application status.

How do you get a duplicate HSRP number plate?

You can get a duplicate HSRP number plate by following the mentioned steps.

Step 1: Visit the official HSRP website. On the homepage, you will come across the ‘Replacement Booking’ option. 

Step 2: Provide necessary details like registration number, chassis number, vehicle registration state, and engine number. 

Step 3: Next, verify the captcha. Then, submit the application. 

Step 4: Now book an appointment slot at your preferred location. Make sure to go through the booking summary before making a payment.

After the payment is done, you will get the payment receipt. Download it for future reference. The implementation of high-security registration plates helped lower the vehicle-related crime rate and made the vehicle tracking system a seamless process for the RTO authority. Previously, it was very difficult for law enforcement officials to track down a vehicle with a customised number plate in case of any unanticipated scenario. But with HSRP, tracking vehicles and getting all the details related to the vehicle has become convenient.