Last updated: 16 September 2026
Quick Answer: Yes, an HSRP number plate for old vehicles registered before 1 April 2019 is required under Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Newer vehicles got one from the dealer. Your state transport department sets the retro-fitment deadline, fee and booking route, so check its latest notice first.
The 1 April 2019 date comes from a December 2018 Union government notification. Enforcement is run state by state, so the deadline, the fine section and the price depend on where your vehicle is registered.
Overview: HSRP for old vehicles at a glance
| Detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Rule | Rule 50, Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, amended by G.S.R. 1162(E) of 4 December 2018 |
| Issuing authority | Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; enforced by each state transport department |
| Who must retro-fit | Vehicles registered before 1 April 2019; newer vehicles are dealer-fitted |
| Fine | Set by the Motor Vehicles Act section your state applies (Section 177: up to ₹500 first offence) |
| Fee | State-set by vehicle class; ₹425 to ₹745 in the two state orders below (Maharashtra's excludes GST) |
| Mode | Online booking on the portal your state authorises, then fitment at a centre or dealer |
Latest update (16 September 2026): A plate maker has challenged, in the Supreme Court, state notifications that confine HSRP supply to vehicle manufacturers. On 25 August 2026 the Court issued notice, returnable on 5 October 2026. Nothing is stayed, so your state's current rules still apply.
Do Vehicles Registered Before 1 April 2019 Need an HSRP?
Yes. Every vehicle needs a High Security Registration Plate (HSRP), so a vehicle registered before 1 April 2019 that still has an ordinary plate has to be retro-fitted.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announcement of 6 December 2018 made manufacturers supply the plate and third registration mark with every vehicle made from 1 April 2019, and let dealers fit plates on old vehicles. State orders set when an HSRP number plate for old vehicles must be fitted.
If your vehicle was registered on or after 1 April 2019 and already has an HSRP, you don't need to book again, as Maharashtra's transport department confirms.
How an HSRP differs from your current plate is explained in our guide on HSRP vs old number plates.
What Is the Fine for Driving an Old Vehicle Without an HSRP?
The fine depends on the section your state's enforcement order uses. Maharashtra's HSRP procedure of December 2024 books the violation under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: up to ₹500 for a first offence and up to ₹1,500 for a repeat offence.
The Section 177 amounts come from the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. Skipping the plate can also stop you selling the vehicle: Maharashtra's standard operating procedure for HSRP allows ownership transfer, address change, hypothecation, duplicate RC and insurance updates only after the HSRP is validated on VAHAN.
What Is the Last Date for HSRP on Old Vehicles in Your State?
There's no single national last date for the HSRP number plate for old vehicles. Each state transport department sets its own and may extend it; for some states we found no order on a government site.
State government orders we could read set these dates:
| State | Order | Deadline in that order |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan | Order no. 21063, 21 September 2023 | Phased by last digit of the registration number, 29 February to 30 June 2024 |
| Maharashtra | HSRP standard operating procedure, December 2024 | 31 March 2025, then challans; later notices may extend it |
| Jharkhand | Transport Commissioner's order of 11 September 2024 (Gazette No. 597) | Stayed by the Jharkhand High Court on 1 October 2024 (W.P.(C) 5379/2024); the state's booking link has been withdrawn |
These dates have passed or are on hold, but the rule hasn't lapsed. Check your state transport department's latest notice.
How Much Does an HSRP for an Old Vehicle Cost?
In the two state orders we checked, the HSRP number plate for old vehicles is capped at ₹425 to ₹745 depending on the state and vehicle class, and Maharashtra adds GST on top. The booking portal shows the final amount before you pay.
| Vehicle | Rajasthan (max, incl. GST and fitment) | Maharashtra (incl. fitment, excl. GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Two-wheeler | ₹425 | ₹450 |
| Three-wheeler | ₹470 | ₹500 |
| Car (LMV) | ₹695 | ₹745 |
| Tractor | ₹495 | ₹450 |
| Heavy vehicle | ₹730 | ₹745 |
Rajasthan's rates are on the Rajasthan transport department's HSRP page for old vehicles. Home fitment costs extra in Maharashtra. Jharkhand's 2024 order also listed rates, but the Jharkhand High Court has stayed that order, so they don't apply. For other states, see our HSRP fees in India by state, then confirm the figure on the booking screen.
How Do You Get an HSRP Number Plate for Old Vehicles?
You get an HSRP number plate for an old vehicle by booking online on the portal your state transport department authorises, paying there, and taking the vehicle to the fitment centre or dealer on your slot.
Before you book, keep these ready:
- Your registration number.
- The last five characters of the chassis and engine numbers.
- A mobile number linked to the vehicle on VAHAN.
- The registration certificate (RC), to carry on fitment day.
Your old plates are destroyed at fitment.
Booking always happens on the portal your state authorises. For help finding it and filing the booking, Jaagruk Bharat offers assisted HSRP booking in the states its service covers. Our HSRP number plate apply online guide has the full walkthrough, and before you pay anywhere, learn to spot HSRP booking scam websites.
Does an Old Two-Wheeler Need an HSRP Too?
Yes. The rule on the HSRP number plate for old vehicles covers two-wheelers as well as cars, and both state orders in the cost table above set a separate two-wheeler rate. See our guide to HSRP number plates for bikes.
