Section 77 in The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
77. Exhibition of registration mark.
(1)The registration mark assigned under sub-rules (5) to (7) of rule 76 shall be clearly exhibited in reflecting colour both at the front and rear of the vehicle on the plain surface of a plate or part of the vehicle and the size of which shall be 41 centimetres by 14 centimetres(i)with deep blue background, the registration mark and the number being in white in the case of motor vehicles referred to in sub-rule (6) of rule 76;(ii)[with deep blue background, the registration mark and the number being in yellow] [Substituted 'with yellow background, the registration mark and the number being in black' by Notification No. G.S.R. 633(E), dated 23.6.2017 (w.e.f. 2.6.1989).], in the case of motor vehicles referred to in sub-rule (7) of rule 76;(iii)[ with light green background, the registration mark and the number being in white in case of motor vehicles referred to in rule 76-B.] [Inserted by GSR 395(E), dated 16.7.1997 (w.e.f. 16.7.1997).](2)The registration mark shall be in English letters and Arabic numerals and(i)save in the case of a motor cycle or an invalid carriage, the letters shall be not less than 6 centimetres high and 2centimetres thick at any part, the numerals shall be not less than 9centimetres high and 2 centimetres thick at any part, and there shall be as pace between any letter and any numeral and between any letter or any numeral and the edge of the plain surface of not less than 1 centimetre and a space between any two letters and between any two numerals of not less than 1centimetre; and(ii)in the case of a motor cycle or an invalid carriage, the dimensions of the letters and figures shall not be less than two-thirds of those specified in clause (i).(3)The plain surface referred to in sub-rule (2) shall not be inclined from the vertical by more than thirty degrees. The letters and numerals shall be exhibited as follows:(i)in the case of a transport vehicle, the registration mark shall be exhibited in two separate horizontal lines, the number allotted to the mission or post and the letters forming the first line followed by the number allotted by the registering authority in the second line; and(ii)in all other cases, the registration mark may exhibit the letters and numerals either in two horizontal lines as aforesaid or in one horizontal line.(4)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), the registration mark exhibited at the front of a motor cycle or an invalid carriage may be displayed on a plate in line with the axis of the vehicle and shall, in such a case, be displayed on both sides of the plate.(5)In the case of a trailer(i)the registration mark shall be exhibited on a plate or surface on the left hand side of the trailer, the dimensions of the letters and figures being not less than two-thirds of the dimensions specified in sub-rule (2);(ii)the registration mark of the drawing motor vehicle to be affixed to the rear of the trailer shall be in conformity with the provisions of these rules relating to the registration mark affixed to the rear of the motor vehicle.(6)The registration mark shall also be painted on the right and left side of the body of a transport vehicle.
