State-wise RTO Code List (2026): Decode Any Number Plate
Every Indian number plate begins with a two-letter state code followed by the RTO district code. Once you know how to read them, you can tell where any vehicle was registered.
This guide lists the state and union territory codes and explains the full structure of a registration number.
How a number plate is structured
A standard plate has four parts: State code, RTO district code, series letters and a unique number. For RJ14 CV 1234, RJ is Rajasthan, 14 is the Jaipur South RTO, CV is the series and 1234 is the number.
The newer BH series, written like 22 BH 1234 A, is a nationwide format that stays valid when you move between states, so it does not use a state or RTO code.
State and union territory codes
- North: DL Delhi, HR Haryana, PB Punjab, UP Uttar Pradesh, UK Uttarakhand, HP Himachal Pradesh, JK Jammu and Kashmir, CH Chandigarh, RJ Rajasthan.
- West: MH Maharashtra, GJ Gujarat, GA Goa, MP Madhya Pradesh, CG Chhattisgarh.
- South: KA Karnataka, TN Tamil Nadu, KL Kerala, TS Telangana, AP Andhra Pradesh, PY Puducherry.
- East and North-East: WB West Bengal, OD Odisha, BR Bihar, JH Jharkhand, AS Assam, and the seven sister states such as ML, MN, MZ, NL, TR, AR and SK.
Reading the RTO district code
The two digits after the state code identify the specific RTO office. For example MH01 is a central Mumbai RTO, KA05 is a Bengaluru RTO and UP16 covers the Noida and Ghaziabad area.
There are hundreds of district codes, so the fastest way to decode a specific plate is a tool rather than a memorised list.
Frequently asked questions
What does the number on a number plate mean?
The first two letters are the state, the next two digits are the RTO district office, the following letters are the series, and the final digits are the unique vehicle number.
What is the BH series number plate?
The Bharat or BH series, written like 22 BH 1234 A, is a nationwide registration that stays valid across states, so an owner who relocates does not need to re-register the vehicle.
How do I decode an RTO code quickly?
Use the free MoboSafe RC Check tool: enter the registration number and it returns the state, the RTO region and the series instantly.