Every vehicle whether two wheeler, three wheeler and four wheelers have one thing in common that most of us don't even notice, the Number Plate.

According to Indian law, it is compulsory for every motor vehicle to have a number plate, these rectangular shaped metal sheets are alpha numeric with different colours that indicates the purpose of the registration of the vehicle.

Number plates are essential not just for the registration of the vehicle, they are an identity of the vehicle similar to a passport where all the vehicle details are listed such as the owner of the vehicle, where the car was purchased etc.

All number plates that are issued by the Regional transport office come in a particular format, for example, if a car is registered in the state of Maharashtra, MH is used as the symbol to represent it.

Next comes the numbers, if it is MH 01, this is the number that indicates the state capital that is Mumbai and the district located, in this case South Mumbai.

There are exceptions such as the President of India, military vehicles, vehicles belonging to diplomats and state government officials.

At present, there are different colours used to indicate the type of vehicles that are driven in the country:

1. Number plates using yellow colour with the writing highlighted in black colour is used for vehicles that are involved in business activities.
2. Cars that are owned by individuals have number plates that have a white background and the the writing is indicated in black colour.
3. Vehicles that are on a rental basis use black colour number plates with the numbers written in yellow colour.
4. Diplomatic vehicles use number plates that have a blue background with the numbers written in white.
5. The President and government officials use the distinct red number plates with the national emblem of India to distinguish them from the rest.

It is not just the numbers, the alphabets are used to distinguish between the different types of vehicles in use:

1. When you see the alphabet C used, this means it is a car, sedan, passenger vehicle, Sports utility vehicle etc.

2. All vehicles that come under the category of electric cars, use the alphabet E in the licence plate.

3. Vehicles that are used to take people from one place to another have the alphabet P used to indicate the vehicle type.

4. The alphabet R is used to identify three wheeler vehicles such as the auto rickshaw.

5. Two wheeler vehicles have the alphabet S used in their number plates.

6. Vehicles that are used to take tourists sightseeing have the Alphabet T in their number plates.

7. Y is the alphabet used for the vehicle that can be rented out for use for a specific period of time.

8. Trucks and vans that are used for transportation of goods have the alphabet V used in their number plates.

In the end, a vehicle number plate is used to distinguish between two different vehicles and the government can keep a track of the vehicles that are in use and take action in case of illegal activities.