Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Pune RTO Prepares New Vehicle Registration Format
Pune’s vehicle registration numbers, which start with MH‑12, are almost all used up.
The local transport office is giving new numbers to two‑wheelers with the letters ZY and to four‑wheelers with ZW.
Soon those letters will run out, so the office is thinking of new ways to write the numbers.
One idea is to add three more letters before the numbers, like MH‑12‑AAA‑1234.
Another idea mixes letters and numbers in a new order.
The new system could be hard for cameras and computer programs to read, and it would need big software changes.
The transport department is still deciding which plan to use and will announce soon.
MH‑12 registration series for Pune is nearly exhausted.
Pune RTO currently issues ZY for two‑wheelers and ZW for four‑wheelers.
Two proposals: a three‑letter series (MH‑12‑AAA‑1234) and an alphanumeric series.
Concerns include ATMS/ANPR difficulties, confusion, and database upgrades.
Decision pending; expected soon by the transport department.
- Who
- Pune Regional Transport Office and Deputy Regional Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosale
- What
- Nearing exhaustion of the MH‑12 vehicle registration series and proposing new formats
- When
- Two‑wheelers expected to exhaust within days; four‑wheelers in about two months
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Why
- Shortage of available registration numbers
- Current series
- MH-12 ZY (two‑wheelers), ZW (four‑wheelers)
- Exhaustion timeline
- Two‑wheelers: days, Four‑wheelers: two months
- Proposed formats
- Three‑letter series (MH‑12‑AAA‑1234) and alphanumeric series
- Concerns
- ATMS/ANPR challenges, confusion, database upgrades
- Decision status
- Under evaluation, decision soon