Fancy Number Plate for Cars: What is It and How To Get It

What are Fancy (VIP) Number Plates?

VIP or fancy number plates are exclusive and prestigious registration numbers issued to high-status individuals, such as politicians, bureaucrats, judges, diplomats, celebrities, etc.  These unique number plates are more than just identifiers—they're powerful status symbols that set a vehicle apart. Whether it’s a repeating digit like 0001 or a lucky number combination, owning a VIP number vehicle adds an extra layer of prestige and personal branding.

Features of VIP Number Plates

Here's what makes VIP number plates stand out from regular registration numbers:

• Limited Availability: Only a few hundred VIP fancy numbers are issued each year, making them rare and highly sought-after. This limited availability drives up demand for fancy number plates among car owners.
   
• Verification Needed: Issuing them requires verification of the applicant's credentials and status. A recommendation letter from a high authority is needed.
   
• Expensive: They are exorbitantly priced due to limited supply and prestige value. Auction prices can run into several lakhs or crores.
   
• Legal Immunities: A fancy number for a car may come with perks like exemption from toll taxes across India, adding both prestige and practical benefits.
   
• Strict Transfer Regulations: Their ownership transfer is regulated. Resale in the open market is prohibited.
   
• Misuse Prone: Cases of misuse of bike fancy number plates for unwarranted benefits are expected.
   
• Coveted Possession: They are a coveted possession, a symbol of money, power and influence. Politicians especially flaunt them.
   
• Auction Process: Most states allot VIP number plates through e-auctions, where bidders compete for exclusive numbers. Depending on demand, the price of a VIP number plate often runs high. 

How to Get a Fancy Number Plate for Your Car in India?

Here are the steps to get a fancy number plate for your car:

• Step 1: Visit the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) 's official website and complete the public user registration process to start your fancy number registration.
   
• Step 2: Browse the options and select the fancy number plate you wish to acquire.
   
• Step 3: Pay the required fees to register and book the VIP number plate of your choice. The fancy number plate price depends on the rarity and popularity of the number selected.
   
• Step 4: After submitting the initial fees, you must participate in bidding for the chosen number plate.
   
• Step 5: Depending on the auction outcome, you may be allotted the number you bid for. If you win, you must promptly pay the remaining balance. The VIP number plate price varies based on the demand and exclusivity of the number.
   
• Step 6: Once you have won the bid, make all the necessary payments and obtain the allotment letter for your fancy number plate.
   
• Step 7: If you cannot secure your preferred number, you can claim a refund for the fee paid during the bidding process.

How to Get a Fancy Number Plate for Your Bike in India?

The process for obtaining a fancy number plate for your bike in India is similar to that for cars. Here are the steps to follow:

• Step 1: Go to the official MoRTH website and complete the registration process as a public user to begin your RTO fancy number booking.
   
• Step 2: Select the fancy number plate you want for your bike from the available options.
   
• Step 3: Pay your desired VIP number's required registration and booking fee.
   
• Step 4: Participate in the bidding process for the fancy number plate after submitting the initial fees.
   
• Step 5: Depending on the auction's outcome, you may be allocated the number you bid for. If you win, ensure to pay the remaining balance immediately.
   
• Step 6: After winning the bid, finalise the payment and acquire the allotment letter for your fancy number plate. The VIP number price will depend on the auction result and the uniqueness of the number.
   
• Step 7: If you do not secure your desired number, you can claim a refund for the fee paid during the bidding process.

How to Get a Fancy Number Plate Online?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) conducts online auctions for vehicle fancy number plate registration. To acquire a distinctive registration number through this process, follow the steps below.

• Step 1: Register on the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to receive a Unique Acknowledgement Number (UAN).
   
• Step 2: Make the non-refundable registration fee payment and the reserve price for the fancy number you intend to bid on.
   
• Step 3: Choose your preferred registration number to block it and secure your position in the auction.
   
• Step 4: The e-auction registration window will be open for three days, followed by two days of bidding.
   
• Step 5: Place your bids on the selected number, ensuring multiples of ₹10,000 for categories 1 to 4 and multiples of ₹1,000 for category 5.
   
• Step 6: The successful bidder will be notified via SMS and email.
   
• Step 7: Make the remaining balance payment online within five days of the declaration.
   
• Step 8: After completing the online deposit, the allotment letter will be generated, which remains valid for 90 days for vehicle registration purposes.

Fees for Fancy Number Plate

Fees for a fancy registration number vary significantly across different states. Thus, you must be aware of the fee applicable in your specific state of residence. Apart from the registration fee, there might also be an additional advance payment required to reserve a particular number plate. The amount of this payment depends on the type of number you desire. The following table provides more information about the fees for VIP number plates.

Please note that the booking amount may not be the final amount you must pay for a fancy number. The final amount is determined after the bidding process. If you lose the bidding, the booking amount will be refunded to you.

How to Check Fancy Number Plate Availability Online

Here are the steps to check the prices and availability of the VIP number plate online.

• Step 1: Access the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
   
• Step 2: In the lower right-hand corner of the webpage, click on the 'Choice Number' option.
   
• Step 3: This will redirect you to a new page, where you must select your state and the appropriate Regional Transport Office (RTO) name.
   
• Step 4: After choosing the state and RTO, a list of available fancy car numbers will be displayed for you to browse.
   
• Step 5: The displayed list will provide information such as the registration number, reserve price, and category of each number. The categories range from 1 to 5, with Category 1 being the most expensive and Category 5 being the least expensive.
   
• Step 6: To refine your search, you can filter the list by category, registration number, or reserve price.
   
• Step 7: Once you find the ideal number plate for your vehicle, you can proceed with the registration process. Alternatively, if it is a VIP number, you can participate in an online auction to bid for it.

Fancy Number Plate Processing Time

The following points throw light on the processing time for VIP or fancy number plates.

• The processing time for obtaining a fancy number plate begins when you register on the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
   
• Following registration, the bidding process typically takes approximately 5 days to complete. The bidding period starts on the 4th day and continues until the 5th.
   
• Upon conclusion of the bidding process, the successful bidder is promptly notified via SMS and email.
   
• The bidder must make the remaining payment online within 5 days from the declaration date.
   
• The allotment letter will be generated once the payment has been successfully made. It is valid for 90 days for vehicle registration.
   
• It is worth noting that the processing time for fancy number plates may vary depending on your location and the demand for specific numbers.
   
• Sometimes, the processing time may be extended if there is a high demand for a particular number. It is advisable to contact your local RTO to obtain more precise information about the processing time for fancy number plates.

E-Auction for Fancy Number Plate

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) conducts online auctions or e-bidding for fancy registration numbers sought by vehicle owners. This transparent e-auction process allows citizens across India to bid and acquire their chosen distinctive vehicle number plate.

E-auctions help efficiently allocate coveted fancy numbers in great demand in a fair manner. They provide equal opportunity to all interested citizens. The entire process, from registration to bidding and payment, is conducted digitally in a secure manner.

Individuals first register on the MoRTH portal to participate and get a unique bidder ID. After completing this registration, they can select the fancy number they desire from the available options and block it by paying the prescribed fees.

The e-auction then opens for bidding. Interested bidders place competitive bids for their chosen registration number plate during the specified auction period. Depending on the number category, they can place as many bids as they want in multiples of ₹10,000 or 1,000.

The participant making the highest bid at auction close wins. The winner is instantly notified and must complete payment of the bid amount within 5 days. On successful payment, an online allotment letter is generated, which can be used to obtain the vehicle registration officially.

Additional Information About Fancy Number Plate

Here are a few points that you should know about VIP number plates.

• The regulations require every vehicle, including VIP number plates, to be fitted with HSRP (High-Security Registration Plates).
   
• The HSRPs are aluminium and have hot-stamped Chromium, with each plate featuring a 10-digit PIN and an attached hologram.
   
• Even if your car bears a VIP number plate, the plates must comply with the specifications outlined in the Central Motor Vehicles Act of 1989.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only. It is recommended to take the help of an expert before making a decision.

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