Punjab moves to end ‘Applied For’ Number Plates under New Vehicle Registration Reforms

The Punjab government is proposing major reforms to vehicle registration through the Punjab Finance Bill 2026, aiming to eliminate the use of 'Applied For' number plates. The amendment to the Punjab Motor Vehicle Transaction Licensees Act, 2015 will require authorized dealers to act as withholding agents, collecting all taxes and fees and ensuring vehicles are fully registered with official number plates before delivery. This initiative seeks to strengthen tax compliance, improve revenue collection, and enhance vehicle traceability by shifting registration responsibilities from buyers to dealerships and imposing strict penalties for non-compliance, thereby integrating regulatory compliance into the point-of-sale transaction.