Ever wondered why some cars in India have green plates, while others flash red, blue, or even black? Number plates aren’t just random-they carry hidden meanings that reveal the true identity and purpose of a vehicle.

White plates with black letters? Those are your everyday private cars. Yellow plates? Strictly for commercial rides like taxis and trucks. Spot a green one? That’s an eco-friendly electric vehicle. Black plates are often seen on luxury rentals that anyone can drive, no commercial license needed.

But here’s where it gets intriguing—red plates are temporary registrations, valid only for a month. Blue plates with white text belong to diplomats, marked with unique country codes. Military vehicles carry an upward arrow with special codes that only insiders fully understand. And the rarest of all-red plates with India’s national emblem-are reserved for the President, Governors, and a few top leaders.

Since 2019, High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) with holograms and laser codes have been made compulsory to curb fraud and cloning. Any fancy or unreadable plate? That can cost you a heavy fine.

Next time you hit the road, look closely-you might just decode a vehicle’s secret status!