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There are a countless number of cars navigating the roads today. These cars come in various makes and models, colours, shapes, and sizes. However, even the everyday commuter car can have a stand out feature — something onlookers may remember them by, something that makes an ordinary car unique! Even in the presence of other cars of the same make and model, these cars have their own identity and road presence. This is exactly where a VIP number plate comes in.
What are VIP numbers?
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A VIP number is a personal identity that your vehicle wears. VIP numbers are a combination of digits that are unique, for e.g. 0001, or repeated digits like 1111 etc, that immediately stand out from the other cars on the road. Unlike regular number plates, these numbers are not issued by the RTO and are acquired through a bidding process.
The world of customised fancy number plates is populated by those who believe their car’s identity is synonymous with theirs and should project a part of their style. There are several ways in which car owners use number plates to emphasise their personality. For most, an exclusive number acts as a status symbol and signifies their social standing. For example, several of Mukesh Ambani’s cars have the premium number 9999.
VIP number plate prices
Interestingly, in fiscal year 2023-24, the Pune RTO accumulated almost ₹50 crore from the auction of fancy number plates. In Hyderabad, the auction sales have increased tremendously, with the number “9999” fetching ₹21.6 lakh in an auction.
VIP number plate prices around the world have an astounding record. The number “1” reigns supreme in the realm of VIP number plates, and in 2008, this single digit sold for a whopping $14.2 million in the UAE. This record for the highest VIP number plate price was broken in 2023 when Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, bought the number plate “P 7” for $15 million.
In India, numbers like ‘0001’, ‘9999’, and ‘0007’ are highly coveted. In 2012, in Punjab, a ‘0001’ number plate was acquired for a record-breaking ₹26 lakh. Some other hot favourites include 1111, 0786, and 0100. Fancy numbers are never randomly assigned to vehicles by the RTO. Instead, they are auctioned to the highest bidder.
Each fancy number has a base amount from where the bidding starts. The base amount depends on which category the number belongs to. For example, the number 0001 falls in Category 1, which has a base price of ₹5 lakh. Category 5 has the lowest base price of ₹75,000. While the base price remains same for all states, the final auction amount may vary depending on the competition among the bidders.
Securing your dream VIP number plate
Here’s how you can bag the number plate of your choice:
1) Register online – Visit the website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and sign up as a public user.
2) Check availability: Visit Vahan Parivahan, check whether your required number is available at your local RTO, and apply accordingly.
3) Pick your number - Select the unique fancy number you want.
4) Make the payment – Pay the registration fee and book your chosen VIP number.
5) Make your bid: After paying, enter the auction to bid on the VIP number plate price. If you manage to win the bid, you must pay the balance amount of the VIP number plate price right away. A detailed step-by-step guide on how to check the availability, number plate prices, the auction, and the bidding process has been provided ahead.
6) Get your dream number: After making all the payments, print your allotment letter and get your number.
7) Refund: In case you do not get the number of your choice, you can easily claim a refund of the advance booking fee.
High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) mandates and legal standards for VIP number plates
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, states that from 1st April 2019, all new cars in India, even those having VIP number plates, are mandated by law to be equipped with HSRP, for the convenience of buyers. Here's what you need to know about HSRP number plates:
- HSRP number plates are standardised aluminium plates, hot-stamped with chromium, which feature a 10-digit PIN along with a hologram. These plates enhance the security and the traceability of vehicles.
- HSRP plates can be tracked using laser recognition systems and also detected by on-road cameras that are ANPR-enabled.
- These plates cannot be duplicated or altered by those with malicious intent.
- The latest HSRP plates come with standardised fonts and styles, as opposed to user customised plates, which makes it easier to track vehicles.
- All VIP number plates must meet the exact specifications of the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, to abide by the legal standards.
Additionally, check out the new BH number plates implemented in India.
How much does a fancy number plate cost?
VIP number plate prices differ from state to state. While the base fee for each category of numbers remains the same, the advance booking fee to reserve your chosen number may change depending on the state. This reservation fee also varies depending on the number chosen. To find out the exact advance to be paid against the VIP number plate price, visit the MoRTH website, choose your number and select your state and RTO name. All information related to VIP number plate prices as well as category of the chosen number will be displayed. VIP number plate prices and their category-wise details are provided in the table below:
| Category | Example of Numbers | Booking Amount |
| Super Elite | 0001 | ₹5 lakh |
| Single Digit | 0003, 0005, 0009, and so on | ₹3 lakh |
| Semi-Fancy Numbers | 0100, 0666, 4444, 8000, etc. | ₹1 lakh |
| Others | 0786, numbers from 0010 to 0099, and many others | ₹2 lakh |
VIP number plate prices in Maharashtra
The following table shows an RTO list of fancy number plates that are available in most states. To show an estimate of the VIP number plate prices, the costs in the state of Maharashtra have been shown in the table, as an example. These costs may vary in other states.
| VIP Registration Numbers Available | Charges for Four-wheeler | Charged for Two-wheeler |
| 0001 | ₹3 lakh | ₹50,000 |
| 0009, 0099, 0786, 0999, 9999 | ₹1.5 lakh | ₹20,000 |
0111, 0222, 0333, 0444, 0555, 0666, 0777, 0888, 1111, 2222, 3333, 4444, 5555, 6666, 7777, 8888 | ₹70,000 | ₹15,000 |
| 0010, 0011, 0022, 0033, 0044, 0055, 0066, 0077, 0100, 0123, 0234, 0345, 0456, 0500, 0505, 0567, 0678, 0789, 0900, 1000, 1001, 1234, 1515, 1818, 2345, 2525, 2727, 3456, 3636, 4545, 4567, 5000, 5454, 5678, 6363, 6789, 7007, 7272, 8181, 9000, 9009, 9090, 0002, 0003, 0004, 0005, 0006, 0007, 0008 | ₹50,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Extra payment for any registration number beyond 1000 from the last serial number allotted | ₹7,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Extra payment for any registration number which does not come under the serial number (Any number till 1000) | ₹5,000 | ₹3,000 |
| 0088, 0101, 0200, 0202, 0300, 0303, 0400, 0404, 0600, 0606, 0700, 0707, 0800, 0808, 0909, 1010, 1011, 1100, 1112, 1200, 1212, 1213, 1221, 1300, 1313, 1314, 1331, 1400, 1414, 1415, 1500, 1516, 1600, 1616, 1617, 1700, 1717, 1718, 1800, 1819, 1900, 1919, 1920, 2000, 2002, 2020, 2021, 2100, 2121, 2122, 2200, 2223, 2300, 2323, 2324, 2400, 2424, 2425, 2500, 2526, 2600, 2626, 2627, 2700, 2728, 2800, 2828, 2829, 2900, 2929, 2930, 3000, 3003, 3030, 3031, 3100, 3131, 3132, 3200, 3232, 3233, 3300, 3334, 3400, 3434, 3435, 3500, 3535, 3536, 3600, 3637, 3700, 3737, 3738, 3800, 3838, 3839, 3900, 3939, 3940, 4000, 4004, 4040, 4041, 4100, 4141(PAPA), 4142, 4200, 4242, 4243, 4300, 4343, 4344, 4400, 4445, 4500, 4546, 4600, 4646, 4647, 4700, 4747, 4748, 4800, 4848, 4849, 4900, 4949, 4950, 5005, 5050, 5051, 5100, 5151, 5152, 5200, 5252, 5253, 5300, 5353, 5400, 5455, 5500, 5556, 5600, 5656, 5657, 5700, 5757, 5758, 5800, 5858, 5859, 5900, 5959, 5960, 5995, 6000, 6060, 6061, 6100, 6161, 6162, 6200, 6262, 6263, 6300, 6364, 6400, 6464, 6465, 6500, 6565, 6566, 6600, 6667, 6700, 6767, 6768, 6800, 6868, 6869, 6969, 6900, 6970, 7000, 7070, 7071, 7080, 7100, 7172, 7200, 7273, 7300, 7373, 7374, 7400, 7474, 7475, 7500, 7575, 7576, 7600, 7676, 7677, 7700, 7778, 7800, 7878, 7879, 7900, 7979, 8000, 8055(BOSS), 8008, 8080, 8081, 8100, 8182, 8200, 8282, 8283, 8300, 8383, 8384, 8400, 8484, 8485, 8500, 8585, 8586, 8600, 8686, 8687, 8700, 8787, 8788, 8800, 8889, 8900, 8989, 8990, 9091, 9100, 9191, 9192, 9200, 9292, 9293, 9300, 9393, 9394, 9400, 9494, 9495, 9500, 9595, 9596, 9600, 9696, 9697, 9700, 9797, 9798, 9800, 9898, 9899, 9900. | ₹15,000 | ₹5,000 |
Exclusive VIP number plates
While it is possible to buy any number plate of your choice, owing to availability, there are certain categories of VVIP numbers which are exclusively reserved by different states. These numbers can be issued by a state without going through the regular allotment process. These numbers are usually assigned to vehicles belonging to VVIPs like the President of India, governors, army personnel, diplomats, or members of the state government.
Step-by-step guides to acquire your desired number plate
1) Guide to checking the VIP number plate prices and the availability of your chosen numbers:
Curious to know whether the number you want is available? You can easily do it online. You can also explore other number options in case the one you want is not available. Here are the steps to follow:
- Head to the official MoRTH website.
- Select the ‘Choice Number’ option located at the bottom-right corner.
- On the new page that opens, select your state and applicable RTO name.
- A list of available VIP registration numbers will be displayed along with their category and reservation price. There are five categories – Category 1 has the highest VIP number plate prices while Category 5 has the lowest ones.
- You can easily narrow down the list based on category or reserve price by using the filters provided.
- Select your preferred number and proceed with your registration process. If your selected number is a VIP one, enter the online auction to bid for it.
2) Guide to joining the online auction for VIP name plates prices:
In order to acquire a VIP number plate, you have to enter an online auction organised by MoRTH and bid on it. The process for participating in this auction and getting your number is outlined below:
1) Head to the official MoRTH website to register and obtain a Unique Acknowledgement Number (UAN).
2) Pay the registration fee and the reservation amount for the number you plan to bid on. The registration fee is non-refundable.
3) Select your desired registration number to book your spot in the auction.
4) The registration window for the online auction is open for three days. This is followed by two days of bidding.
5) If your number is under categories 1 to 4, you have to bid in multiples of ₹10,000.
6) If your number belongs to Category 5, you have to bid in multiples of ₹1,000.
7) Upon completion of the auction, the successful bidder is notified through email as well as SMS.
8) If you win the bid, you must deposit the balance amount, which is the winning bid amount minus the reserve price already paid, within five days from the date of declaration of the winner. This payment needs to be made online.
9) Once paid, you will receive an allotment letter with a 90-day validity, within which the vehicle needs to be registered with the number.
10) In case you do not win the bid, the reserve price is refunded. However, as mentioned before, the registration fee is non-refundable.
Processing time for VIP number plates
Once you have paid the balance amount after winning the bid of your VIP number plate price, you are issued an allotment letter for the number. This letter is valid for 90 days, within which you must register your number to your car. Processing times for allotment letters and vehicle registration may differ depending on the chosen number and the state where the RTO is located. Processing time may be longer for numbers that are in higher demand.
FAQ
Q: Is there any eligibility criteria for getting a fancy number plate?
There is no eligibility criteria. However, VIP number plate prices are significantly higher as compared to a regular number plate that is provided by the RTO.
Q: How long does the entire process of getting a fancy number plate take?
The registration process spans three days followed by two days for the bidding process. It takes another five days to complete the process of payment, after which the number is allotted to the winner.
Q: What are the three most important steps to keep in mind when booking a VIP number plate?
1) Register and enter your details correctly in the MoRTH website.
2) Make sure you reserve your preferred number by paying the advance amount.
3) Upon winning the bid, make sure you make the remaining payment within five days, failing which your ownership will be declared null and void.
Q. How much does a 0001 number plate cost?
0001 VIP Number Plate is the most coveted Category 1 number plate and the base price ranges between ₹1 and ₹5 lakh, depending on the state..
Q. How much does a 1111 number plate cost?
1111 is a popular Category 3 number plate with a base price between ₹50 thousand and ₹2 lakh at the auction, depending on the state.
Q. How much does a 9999 number plate cost?
9999 is another popular Category 3 number plate with a base price between ₹50 thousand and ₹2 lakh at the auction, depending on the state.
Q: Can I retain the number plate if I sell my car?
A: Certainly. Even if you sell or scrap your car, you keep the ownership of the number.
Q: Is it mandatory to get a fancy number plate?
A: No. Your RTO provides you with a randomly chosen number when you buy your car.
Q: Is there any instruction manual that I can refer to learn about the entire auction process?
A: For detailed information about the auction process, you can visit this link - https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/sites/default/files/FAQDOCS/Fancy/Fancy%20Number%20online%20Auction%20and%20Booking%20%281%29.pdf- which will take you to the parivahan official documentation.
Q: Can different states have the same registration number?
A: Yes, each state has its own list of unique numbers. For example, the number 0001 can be registered both in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Q: How can I check the availability of my chosen number?
A: To check availability, visit the official website of ‘mParivahan’
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