Delhi HC Seeks Centre’s Reply On Vintage Car Owner’s Request To Retain Old Registration Number

The Delhi High Court on Friday has issued a notice to the Central Government regarding a plea from a vintage car owner seeking permission to retain the original registration number of his vehicle.

Justice Prateek Jalan called for a response from the Central Government, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Informatics Centre, and other respondents within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2025.

The petitioner, Parmeet Singh Bhalla, represented by advocates Sanjay Dewan and Rhea Gandhi, argued that as per existing policy, owners of vintage cars should be allowed to retain their original registration numbers.

Bhalla’s vehicle, a Cadillac manufactured by General Motors in 1965, has been registered under the number ‘DHB 0059’ since September 20, 1972. However, when he applied for renewal, he was issued a new number instead, which he claimed resulted from an anomaly in the VAHAN portal.

The petition asserts that Bhalla’s vintage car not only qualifies as a vintage vehicle—given it meets the 50-year age requirement—but also maintains its original form, preserving its historical and cultural significance.

The plea emphasizes that the original registration number is crucial to the vehicle’s identity, describing it as the “heart and soul” of the car. Bhalla contends that assigning a new number undermines the charm and legacy associated with vintage vehicles.

In 2021, the government recognized the need for regulations regarding vintage vehicles, resulting in the Central Motor Vehicles (Fifteenth Amendment) Rules, 2021.

These rules defined vintage vehicles and established procedures for their registration, including provisions for retaining old registration numbers for existing vehicles.

Despite these regulations, Bhalla’s experience indicates confusion in implementation. He stated that he uploaded all required documents and paid a fee of Rs 20,000, expecting to retain his old registration number.

However, he was wrongfully assigned a new number, ‘DL VA 1317,’ contrary to the provisions outlined in the Amendment.

The petitioner argues that the arbitrary action of the authorities violates the rules designed to protect vintage vehicles, as they are now being treated as new registrations without considering their historical context.

Bhalla’s petition calls for an order to retain his original registration number and to set aside the newly allotted number.

The court’s response to this plea will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how vintage vehicles are treated under current regulations and may influence future policies related to the preservation of automotive heritage.

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