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-   -   How to read defence number plates?? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/28800-how-read-defence-number-plates.html)

I am sure many of us BHPians must be from defence background. Since I am from a civilian family, please clarify certain points which i have no knowledge about:

1. What is the number system adopted in a Army cars? It seems so confusing
2. What does the 'up Arrow' signify in their number plates
3. Is the same system adopted for all: Army , Navy and Airforce cars?

Also, I believe that the 'Flag' in a Defence officer's car is only uncovered if he/she is sitting inside. Otherwise the driver can be prosecuted.

Please throw some light on this topic..

Thnx :)

@Akash : The up arrow denotes defense, the first two numerals show the year of the model, the Alphabet after that shows you the class of vehicle, and the numbers later on give you the vehicle number.
Not only in defense but everywhere the flag staff is uncovered only if the officer authorized is sitting inside the said vehicle.

Hey is this true for all services vehicle. Does the arrow always remain facing upward ? Any idea how they classify the classes. Its been a major mystery for me too

Fundoo thread.
I will stay tuned to learn.

Can you take an example number plate and parse it for us?

Thanks.

According to one school of thought, the up arrow on military vehicles stands for "This Side Up", to ensure that the guys don't park their vehicles up side down!
lol:

See the below link for military vehicles.


Miscellaneous Vehicles [www.bharat-rakshak.com]


Military vehicles have a unique numbering system unlike any other as you have already noticed. The numbers are registered by the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi and have a numbering system which appears very vague. The first (or the third) character is always an arrow pointing upwards. The first two digits signify the year in which the Military procured the vehicle.
The up arrow denotes Military Property so not only the cars and trucks even a chair carries the up arrow.
In the case of vehicles, the no. after the arrow indicates the year when the vehicle was commissioned into army. Then the class of the vehicle which is also stenciled on the windshield, Eg: A class "A" vehicle is brand new.. whereas a class "F" vehicle would be earmarked for phasing ouy or condemnation/sale. Then the registeration number
Another unique tradition they follow is for a sold out vehicle. This vehicle should not be driven out of the Military Transport Park , but it should be pushed out of the gates and then started.



Re flags, Officers of the rank of Brigadier and above are authorized to fly car flags. Stars on the car flag denotes thus; One Star on the Brigadier level officer's car and four stars on the car of the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS). To add a distinctive sign, as an additionality, an Army HQ sign to the car flag of Vice COAS, and the Ashoka Lion for the car flag of Army Commander can be seen.
The star plates and flags are to be kept covered unless the Officer is travelling in it dressed in full Uniform. There are also certain rules whereby flag display is allowed when another officer is travelling in the capacity of a senior
officer.

pics courtesy :: Bharat-Rakshak.com - The Consortium of Indian Military and Defence Websites ::

Good question, used to wonder all the time. Today came to know how to interpret those numbers. Thanks guys.

Bravo V16 for the info..:Cheering:

Kudos to V-16
very nice info indeed

Great info there Gogi! And that MM540 looks hot doesn't it!

Thanks for asking and and answering a question which I've always wondered since time immmemorial.

It sure does, but not in that psychadelic camoflage! What do they think they are going to blend with in combat?

EDIT- is this deja vu or has this topic been covered in the past somewhere on the forum?

Hydrema - Another View [www.bharat-rakshak.com]

v16 the site u posted has quiet a number of miltary vehicles..Does this number criteria differ for the army trucks?..Because in one of the truck the number seems to be different or too small .

This is a tidbit that fascinates me. Any particular reason for this?

Great info... was wondering all the time how to interpret number plate. A friend shared some info that the vehicles can have only 1 number plate on the rear. Dont know how far its true.