Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Pune to Temporarily Replace MH-12 With MH-61 Registration Code
Pune has run out of available number combinations for its MH-12 vehicle code.
The final ZZ series contained 9,999 numbers, and all of them have been used.
New vehicles will temporarily receive the MH-61 code.
Registrations are expected to start Monday after computer testing is finished.
The Pune RTO has more than 44.88 lakh live registered vehicles.
Some older vehicles may have been scrapped or moved elsewhere.
Officials had suggested formats such as MH-12 1A and MH-12 A1 to keep the Pune identity.
Those options require government rule changes, so MH-61 will be used until a permanent format is approved.
All 9,999 numbers in Pune’s final MH-12 ZZ series were exhausted earlier this week.
New vehicle registrations under MH-61 are expected to begin Monday after National Informatics Centre backend testing.
The Pune RTO has more than 44.88 lakh live registered vehicles.
Pune vehicles have used the MH-12 code since July 1, 1989.
MH-61 is intended as a temporary code while officials seek approval for a format retaining Pune’s MH-12 identity.
- Who
- The Pune Regional Transport Office, Maharashtra transport authorities, the National Informatics Centre, and vehicle owners are involved.
- What
- Pune will begin using the temporary MH-61 code for new vehicle registrations after the MH-12 series was exhausted.
- When
- The MH-12 code has been used since July 1, 1989; MH-61 registrations are scheduled to begin Monday. The report was published August 29.
- Where
- The change applies to the Pune RTO, which covers Pune city and parts of Pune district.
- Why
- The available alphanumeric combinations under MH-12 have been exhausted, while alternatives retaining MH-12 require approvals and rule or system changes.
Retain Pune’s MH-12 Identity
Use MH-61 Temporarily
Future registration code
Retain Pune’s MH-12 Identity
Murlidhar Mohol sought continuation of MH-12, and Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said officials were pursuing a new format that would retain Pune’s identity.
Use MH-61 Temporarily
Officials are moving ahead with MH-61 because the existing MH-12 combinations have been exhausted and new registrations are expected to continue.
Alternative numbering format
Retain Pune’s MH-12 Identity
Formats such as MH-12 1A or MH-12 A1 could preserve the familiar Pune code.
Use MH-61 Temporarily
Implementing those formats requires amendments to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, and the process could take time.
System expansion
Retain Pune’s MH-12 Identity
An expanded format could allow Pune to continue using MH-12.
Use MH-61 Temporarily
The previously proposed MH-12 AAA format would create an 11-character number, require major changes to National Informatics Centre systems, and did not receive approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Informatics Centre.
- Current code
- MH-12
- Temporary new code
- MH-61
- Exhausted series
- All 9,999 numbers in the final ZZ series
- Live registered vehicles
- More than 44.88 lakh at the Pune RTO
- MH-12 in use since
- July 1, 1989
- Expected MH-61 start
- Monday, after backend testing and the fancy-number application process
- Proposed alternatives
- MH-12 1A and MH-12 A1; an earlier MH-12 AAA proposal was not approved
- Approval timeline
- At least 45 days would be needed to issue a notification and invite suggestions and objections for a rule change
