What is Third Licence Plate (HSRP Colour-Coded Windshield Sticker)?

In India’s mission toward safer roads, cleaner air, and intelligent traffic systems, vehicle identification and regulation are undergoing a critical transformation. A key part of this system is the Third Licence Plate, also known as the HSRP Colour-Coded Windshield Sticker or Third Registration Mark or Third Licence Plate Sticker, which complements the front and rear number plates to provide complete and secure vehicle identification.

Introduced under amendments to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules and enforced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), it is an integral part of the High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) system. Affixed to the inner side of left hand corner of a vehicle’s front windshield, the Third Licence Plate is designed to help authorities identify fuel type, verify registration details, detect emissions compliance, and prevent forgery or misuse.

Government Regulation Behind the Third Licence Plate

The requirement for a Color Coded third registration mark was introduced through a MoRTH Notification in Decemebr 2018, under amendments to the High-Security Registration Plate Order, 2001. From April 1, 2019, it became mandatory for all new vehicles sold in India to be fitted with HSRPs and the associated colour-coded sticker before delivery. Older vehicles registered before this date are required to retrofit both the HSRP and the sticker through authorised vendors.

In June 2020, another important directive was issued by MoRTH that introduced the green colour strip on Third Licence Plates for all BS-VI compliant vehicles. Effective from October 1, 2020, this green strip helps in easily distinguishing cleaner, lower-emission BS-VI vehicles from older models that follow BS-IV or BS-III norms. This mandate came into effect as India transitioned to stricter emission regulations and began implementing Graded Response Action Plans (GRAP) in pollution-prone cities.

The Third Licence Plate is therefore not just an identification label, but also a compliance device that plays a crucial role in supporting India’s air quality, vehicle monitoring, and law enforcement systems.

Source – BS-VI compliant vehicles to display ‘green sticker’ from October 1: Road transport ministry

HSRP Sticker Placement and Visibility

The Third Licence Plate is applied to the inner side of left hand corner of the front windshield. This placement ensures high visibility for enforcement officers, road safety authorities, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems used in surveillance, tolling, and traffic management.

What Information Does the Third Licence Plate Contain?

Each Third Licence Plate sticker is produced with highly durable materials and secure printing techniques, The information printed on it is not cosmetic but is directly tied to the vehicle’s registration and technical profile as recorded in the government’s VAHAN database.

The sticker displays the following information:

• Vehicle Registration Number: The official alphanumeric identifier assigned by the RTO.
• Date of Registration: The date on which the vehicle was officially registered.
• Laser-Etched Permanent Identification Number (PIN): A 12-digit alphanumeric unique code that also appears on the front and rear HSRP plates.
• State/UT Name: Displayed as “Govt. of [State]”, indicating where the vehicle is registered.
• Fuel Type Classification: Indicated by the background colour of the sticker.
• BS-VI Compliance Green Strip: A mandatory visual indicator if the vehicle meets BS-VI norms.
• Hologram Seal: A chromium-based hologram that validates authenticity and prevents counterfeiting.

All this information is protected under a tamper-evident, self-destructive adhesive film that renders the sticker unusable if removed. Any attempt to peel it off will result in visible damage, making it impossible to reuse or relocate the sticker to another vehicle.

HSRP Sticker Fuel-Type Colour Coding (As per MoRTH Guidelines)

To aid in identification and enforcement, MoRTH has standardised the colour coding system for the Third Licence Plate sticker based on fuel type:

• Light Blue – For Petrol and CNG vehicles
• Orange – For Diesel vehicles
• Grey – For Electric, Hybrid, or Biofuel vehicles
• Green Strip (top) – Indicates BS-VI compliance, regardless of fuel type

These colours help police, transport officials, and environmental regulators conduct instant, contactless verification of a vehicle’s fuel type and compliance status.

HSRP Sticker with Green Strip: BS-VI Compliance Indicator

The green strip printed across the top of the HSRP colour-coded sticker is one of the most significant recent additions. Introduced by MoRTH in 2020, this 1cm-wide strip is required for all BS-VI compliant vehicles. Its purpose is to serve as a quick, visible cue for authorities to identify whether a vehicle complies with the latest emission norms.

This strip is not fuel-specific – it applies to all fuel types including petrol, diesel, CNG, hybrid, and electric vehicles – as long as they meet BS-VI standards. For example, a diesel vehicle will have an orange base sticker but if it is BS-VI compliant, a green strip will appear across the top. Similarly, a CNG vehicle will have a blue base with the green strip.

This differentiation plays a critical role in pollution enforcement zones, especially during seasonal restrictions when only BS-VI vehicles are allowed entry into certain areas like Delhi NCR. The strip is also helpful in traffic filtering systems and smart city mobility plans.

Who Needs to Get the Third Licence Plate?

All vehicle owners in India fall under one of the following categories when it comes to HSRP and sticker requirements:

1. New Vehicles Registered After April 1, 2019
   These are required to be fitted with HSRP and colour-coded stickers by the dealer before delivery.
2. Vehicles Registered Before April 1, 2019
   Owners must apply for retrofit installation of HSRP and the Third Licence Plate via an authorised vendor.
3. Lost or Damaged Stickers
   A new sticker with the same PIN must be issued and re-affixed by an authorised party.

The HSRP colour-coded sticker is permanently linked to your vehicle’s registration through a unique 12-digit laser-etched code – this code is identical on both the front and rear HSRP plates. If your number plate is ever lost, damaged, or replaced, the sticker must also be updated. Using an old sticker with a mismatched code can lead to verification errors during enforcement checks and may be treated as non-compliance under vehicle regulations.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Driving without a valid HSRP or Third Licence Plate sticker is a punishable offence under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. Penalties apply for non-compliance and can escalate with repeated violations.

Additionally, the use of fake or counterfeit stickers may lead to serious legal consequences under laws related to forgery, impersonation, and fraud.

The Third Licence Plate Specifications

Shimnit follows the full regulatory and technical specifications for manufacturing HSRPs and the Third Licence Plate. Each sticker produced is embedded with the following features:

• Laser Branding: Each sticker has a 12-digit alphanumeric code printed on it. This unique code matches the one on the front and rear number plates, ensuring traceability, tamper evidence, and compliance with national vehicle identification standards.
• Hot Stamping Foil: The information is printed using thermal printer and hologram are applied using tamper-proof foil stamping.
• Chromium-Based Hologram: An anti-copy hologram ensures authenticity and visual validation.
• Self-Destructive Adhesive: If tampered with or removed, the sticker destroys itself.
• UV-Invisible Printing: Certain information becomes visible only under UV light for forensic-level inspection.
• Direct Mapping to VAHAN Database: Every sticker has a unique ID and fuel type are digitally mapped to the vehicle’s official registration record. (Sticker do not have any Unique Id of its own)

These features ensure that Third License Plate stickers are virtually impossible to counterfeit, relocate, or forge thereby preventing misuse or identity theft.

Conclusion

The Third Licence Plate (HSRP Colour-Coded Windshield Sticker) is now a fundamental part of India’s vehicle identification and compliance system. Its integration with emission norms, ANPR enforcement, and fraud protection mechanisms makes it an essential tool for modern, regulation-aligned transportation.

More than just a sticker, it serves as a digital and visual certificate of your vehicle’s identity, fuel type, and environmental compliance.

Shimnit, as a government-approved HSRP manufacturer, produces Third Licence Plates using certified materials, precision manufacturing, and secure printing technologies—ensuring your vehicle remains compliant, traceable, and protected under Indian law.

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