Trademark Class 12: Vehicles & Automotive
Class 12 covers vehicles and apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water, along with their structural parts and engines. It is the primary class for automobile and EV brands. Vehicle accessories that are electronic (dashcams, chargers) sit in Class 9, and servicing is Class 37.
What Class 12 covers
India follows the NICE Classification (11th edition) — 45 classes in total, 34 for goods and 11 for services. Class 12 sits in the goods group. Your trademark is only protected for the goods or services listed in the class you file, which is why picking Class 12 correctly matters more than the logo itself.
- Cars, two-wheelers, trucks and buses
- Electric vehicles, e-rickshaws and e-scooters
- Bicycles and their parts
- Vehicle engines and structural parts
- Tyres, tubes and wheels
- Boats, aircraft, prams and wheelchairs
What Class 12 does NOT cover
| Frequently confused item | Correct class |
|---|---|
| Vehicle electronics and dashcams | Class 9 |
| Vehicle repair and servicing | Class 37 |
| Vehicle transport services | Class 39 |
| Engine oils and lubricants | Class 4 |
Examples of goods/services in Class 12
Who files in Class 12
- EV startups
- Auto OEMs
- Tyre manufacturers
- Auto-component makers
- Cycle brands
Class 12 government fees
| Applicant type | e-Filing fee | Physical filing | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual / Sole Proprietor | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | e-filing is cheaper — always file online |
| Startup (DPIIT recognised) | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | DPIIT certificate must be attached |
| MSME (Udyam registered) | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | Udyam certificate must be attached |
| Company / LLP / Partnership (non-MSME) | ₹9,000 per class | ₹10,000 per class | Register under Udyam first and save 50% |
Taxpex professional fee for a Class 12 filing starts at ₹1,999 and includes a clearance search, TM-48 drafting, filing and objection tracking until registration.
Class 12 filing timeline
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Search & class confirmation | Same day | We run a Class 12 search on the IP India database |
| Filing (TM-A) | 24-48 hours | Application number issued — ™ can be used immediately |
| Examination report | 3-8 months | Registry raises objections under Section 9/11 if any |
| Objection reply / hearing | 1-4 months | We draft and file the reply, appear at hearings |
| Journal publication | 2-4 months | 4-month opposition window opens |
| Registration certificate | 8-18 months total | ® symbol can be used, valid 10 years |
Protect your brand in Class 12
Free class check · ™ in 24-48 hours · CA & IP-attorney led.
Class 12 (Vehicles & Automotive) — questions answered
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Content refreshed against the latest CBIC / CBDT / MCA notifications and portal changes.
Chartered Accountant · ICAI Member · 12+ years in Indian tax & compliance
- 15 September 2026Reviewed rates, forms and portal workflow for Trademark Class 12. Verified against latest CBIC/CBDT notifications.
- 10 January 2026Refreshed FAQ set, added new penalty examples and jurisdiction notes.
- 05 October 2025Structural rewrite for EEAT — added expert commentary, playbooks and process timeline.