If you have ever noticed a small square-shaped sticker in the front of a car’s windscreen, this stands for the HSRP colour-coded sticker for a car. The introduction of this sticker comes with the Indian government taking several measures recently to enhance road safety, control emissions, and ensure intelligent transport systems.

Through this sticker, it not only indicates the type of fuel a vehicle uses but also helps in monitoring pollution and ensuring compliance with traffic regulations.
To understand further regarding what an HSRP sticker is, the guide below delves deeper into the significance of the HSRP colour sticker and the procedure to get them installed on vehicles.
What is the HSRP Colour Sticker?
An HSRP (High-Security Registration Plate) colour-coded sticker is a tamper-proof, self-destructive adhesive that is generally stuck on the inside, top-left corner of your vehicle’s windscreen. The main purpose of the colour coding on this sticker is to identify the type of fuel your vehicle uses. This sticker is tough to copy or tamper with because it has a hologram and special features that make tampering very difficult.
It comes with the High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) and contains important details like:
- Your vehicle’s registration number
- Date when the vehicle was registered
- A unique 12-digit laser-etched code (the same as on your car’s number plates)
- A colour that shows your vehicle’s fuel type (petrol, diesel, CNG, electric, etc.)
- The name of the state where your vehicle is registered (for example, “Govt. of Maharashtra”)
What do the HSRP Sticker Colours Stand For?
As mandated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the colour-coded sticker will correspond to the vehicle’s fuel type. Check out the table below to understand which vehicle corresponds to which fuel type:
Colour | Fuel Type | Description |
---|---|---|
Blue | Petrol and CNG | Used on petrol and CNG vehicles like cars, taxis, and autos. |
Orange | Diesel | For diesel vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and commercial vehicles. |
Grey | Hybrid / Electric / Biofuels | For electric, hybrid, or eco-friendly fuel vehicles like ethanol or biodiesel. |
In addition to this, a green strip at the top of the sticker signifies compliance with the latest Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission norms, indicating a modern, clean and compliant vehicle.
Importance of HSRP Sticker
To understand the importance of these colour-coded fuel stickers, check out the pointers given below:
Easy Fuel Type Check in Polluted Areas
Works Well with Smart Traffic Cameras
Stops Fraudulent Fuel Type Tricks
Shows If Your Car Meets Pollution Rules
Cities are fighting pollution by limiting certain fuel types in busy or polluted zones. The colour-coded fuel stickers help police quickly spot which fuel a vehicle uses, which thereby makes it easier to enforce rules.
The HSRP sticker can be read by traffic cameras and machines. This helps with automatic tasks like issuing traffic fines, toll payments, and tracking cars, making traffic rules easier to follow.
Sometimes diesel cars pretend to be petrol cars to avoid fines. The digital verification in the colour-coded fuel sticker makes it hard to commit such fraud, since each sticker matches official records.
India has pollution rules called Bharat Stage (BS) norms. The sticker’s colour helps officials see if a car follows the latest clean rules (BS-VI) or is an older, more polluting model.
Are These HSRP Stickers Mandatory?
Since 2019, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has mandated the use of HSRP stickers to ensure better vehicle identification and environmental monitoring. However, as of now, this rule has only been enforced in cities like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. For vehicles without this HSRP sticker, the Delhi Police has levied fines of up to INR 5,500.
Procedure to Apply and Install the HSRP Sticker
To understand the detailed procedure required for applying and installing an HSRP colour-coded fuel sticker, check out the steps below:
Step 1: Apply Online
- Visit the official website: bookmyhsrp.com.
- Choose either "HSRP with Colour Sticker" or "Only Colour Sticker" depending on what your vehicle needs.
- Fill in your vehicle details like registration number, chassis number, engine number and information about the owner.
- Pick your preferred date, time, and place for installation, or select home delivery if available.
- Pay the required fee online and keep the payment receipt safe.
Step 2: Installation Appointment
- On your chosen date, visit the selected dealer or RTO office with your vehicle and payment receipt.
- The authorised staff will fix the HSRP plate using special locks and stick the colour-coded sticker inside your windscreen.
- Double-check the details on the plate and sticker before you leave to make sure everything is correct.
Key Takeaways
In all, using an HSRP colour sticker plays a key role in identifying the type of fuel your vehicle uses. These colour-coded fuel stickers help in easy vehicle identification, curbing traffic violations and enforcing pollution norms at the same time. When you buy car insurance online, having an HSRP sticker can also simplify verification processes. In order to ensure a healthier environment and contribute to road safety, an HSRP sticker is a step in the right direction!
Also Read:
The Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Number Plates in India
What Does a Red Number Plate Mean?
Car Modifications in India: Legal and Illegal Customisations
Frequently Asked questions
What is the HSRP colour sticker?
The HSRP colour sticker is a tamper-proof sticker that is generally placed in the inside top-left corner of your vehicle’s windscreen. It contains colour coding, along with other essential details, to make it easier to identify your car, prevent tampering and comply with emission standards.
What do the different colours of the HSRP sticker mean?
The different colours on the sticker correspond to the type of fuel in the vehicle. Blue stands for petrol and CNG vehicles, orange is for diesel vehicles, and grey is for electric, hybrid, or eco-friendly fuel vehicles.
What is the significance of the HSRP sticker?
An HSRP colour-coded fuel sticker helps authorities check fuel types quickly, control pollution, stop fuel-type fraud, and track vehicles using smart camera systems.
What is the cost of installing an HSRP colour sticker?
Depending on your vehicle category, installing an HSRP may cost Rs. 1000, while the colour-coded sticker may cost an additional Rs. 100.
Who Needs the HSRP Colour Sticker?
All four-wheelers and three-wheelers registered before April 1, 2019, are required to obtain both the HSRP and the colour-coded sticker. For vehicles registered on or after April 1, 2019, these usually come pre-installed by the manufacturer (OEM-fitted).