Pune RTO Set to Roll Out ‘AAA’ Vehicle Registration Series as MH-12 Nears Exhaustion

RTO plans shift to three-letter format to handle rapid vehicle growth; rollout likely after approvals

Pune is set to witness a major change in its vehicle registration system as the Regional Transport Office (RTO) prepares to introduce a new three-letter number series starting with ‘AAA’, replacing the existing two-letter format under the MH-12 code.

The move comes as the current system is nearing its limit due to the city’s rapidly growing number of vehicles.

Why The Change Is Needed

The existing format — such as MH-12 AA 0001 — uses two English letters after the district code. Officials said this system is close to exhaustion, with the RTO already reaching the ‘ZG’ series.

At the current pace of registrations, the remaining combinations up to ‘ZZ’ are expected to run out within the next few months, possibly by the end of April.

What The New Format Will Look Like

Under the new system, vehicle numbers will follow a three-letter alphabetical format, starting from ‘AAA’ and going up to ‘ZZZ’.

This change will significantly expand the available combinations, generating an estimated 18 to 20 crore unique registration numbers, ensuring long-term capacity.

Rapid Growth Driving Demand

The shift reflects Pune’s massive vehicle growth. As of March 18, the city has over 43.5 lakh registered vehicles.

Two-wheelers form the largest share with nearly 29.8 lakh registrations, followed by over 9.1 lakh cars and around 1.56 lakh goods vehicles. Other categories include auto-rickshaws, buses, taxis, ambulances and tractors.

Implementation Plan And Challenges

Officials said the transition will require technical integration with the centralised digital vehicle registration system. Inputs have been sought from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to ensure compatibility and smooth rollout.

Once the technical framework is ready, a proposal will be submitted to the state transport department for approval.

Phased Rollout Ahead

Authorities have indicated that the new series will be introduced in a phased and systematic manner after receiving necessary clearances.

The transition will mark Pune’s entry into a system already implemented in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Chennai, ensuring a scalable and future-ready registration framework.