Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Pune RTO to adopt alphanumeric plates
The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) is planning to change how vehicle registration numbers look.
Right now, they use two letters, like ZW or ZY, but they're running out of combinations.
At first, they thought about using three letters instead, like AAA to ZZZ.
But now, they're thinking of using a mix of letters and numbers.
This change is happening because the current two-letter system is almost used up.
The RTO asked the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for help with this change, especially for the VAHAN system and the number plates.
Pune RTO is running out of two-letter registration combinations.
Initial plan was to extend to three-letter series (AAA to ZZZ).
Current plan is to adopt an alphanumeric format.
RTO approached NIC for technical inputs on VAHAN system and number plates.
Current series: ZW for non-transport light motor vehicles, ZY for non-transport two-wheelers.
- Who
- Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO)
- What
- Change in vehicle registration number format
- When
- N/A
- Where
- Pune, India
- Why
- Two-letter series is running out of combinations
Traditional Alphabetical Series
Alphanumeric Format
Series Extension
Traditional Alphabetical Series
Extend the two-letter series to a three-letter series (AAA to ZZZ).
Alphanumeric Format
Adopt an alphanumeric format for future vehicle registrations.
- Current Series
- ZW for non-transport light motor vehicles, ZY for non-transport two-wheelers
- Initial Plan
- Extend to three-letter alphabetical series (AAA to ZZZ)
- Current Plan
- Adopt alphanumeric format
- Technical Inputs
- Approached National Informatics Centre (NIC)
- System Involved
- VAHAN system