What is a Fancy Number Plate
Fancy number plates are also called VIP number plates, with numbers considered lucky, unique, spiritually significant, or easy to remember. In Kerala, this could be '0001', '8888', or culturally revered numbers like '9999' and '3333'. These numbers often carry religious, cultural, or personal values, thanks to which many people willingly spend money on acquiring them. This need is catered to through an online auction by the regional transport office, which is well-organised for acquiring such numbers.
How to Get a Fancy Number Plate
You can get a fancy number plate in Kerala by following the steps given below, which involve both online registration as well as an auction.
Registering Online
- Go to the MoRTH Portal.
- Sign up and create an account to create your profile as a public user.
- Log in and Select a Number. After logging in, you can view the list of available fancy numbers and select the number you would like to bid for.
- Pay the Initialisation Fee for registration to the auction.
Participating in the Auction
- Once registered, you may participate in the online auction.
- The standard auction time frame is five days, including three days for registration and the last two days for active bidding.
- Bids should be within multiples of ₹10,000 or any other such value as specified on the website.
- The fancy number is then auctioned to the highest bidder.
Post-Auction Payment and Allotment
- If you emerge as the winner, you will be contacted by email, telephone or SMS.
- Pay within five days so that your number gets confirmed.
- You will also be issued an allotment letter valid for 90 days, which will be needed for the vehicle's registration.
Things to Remember While Applying for a Fancy Number Plate
Applying for a fancy number plate in Kerala involves specific steps to ensure a smooth process, from checking availability and prompt payment to meeting mandatory High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) requirements and adhering to legal regulations.
- Availability Check: Verify the availability of your desired VIP or fancy number on the Parivahan website or at a nearby RTO in Kerala.
- Refund Option: If you do not receive your chosen number plate after a successful bid, you can request a refund.
- Immediate Payment: Make the payment promptly after winning the bid to secure your preferred number plate.
- HSRP Requirement: High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) are mandatory for all vehicles, including those with fancy numbers, ensuring added security.
- Legal Compliance: Follow all regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, even with a fancy number plate, to remain compliant with legal standards.
Fees and Charges
The fees of getting a fancy number plate in Kerala differ according to the category chosen. The different categories and their base prices are given below.
Category | Examples | Base Price for 2-wheeler | Base Price for 4-wheeler |
| Super Elite Numbers | 0001 | ₹1 lakh | ₹5 lakh |
| Single Digit Numbers | 0002, 0003, 0004, 0005, 0006, 0007, 0008, 0009 | ₹50,000 | ₹3 lakh |
| Other Popular Numbers | 0786, 1111, 7777, 9999, Numbers between 0010 to 0099 | ₹25,000 | ₹2 lakh |
| Semi-Fancy Numbers | 0100, 0222, 0333, 0444, 0555, 0666, 0777, 0888, 0999, etc. | ₹15,000 | ₹1 lakh |
How to Check Availability of Fancy Number Plates
To find out whether your favourite fancy number is available, follow the steps below.
Step 1:Go to the MoRTH Website
- Log in to the official web portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Step 2: Select "Choice Number"
- Now, click on the option titled 'Choice Number'.
Step 3: Pick out the State and RTO
- Now, select Kerala as your state and the RTO from where you want to get the vehicle in the list of predefined RTOs.
Step 4: View Available Numbers
- After selecting your RTO, check for the availability of fancy numbers in the displayed list.
Step 5: Proceed to Register
- In the case of the availability of the fancy number of one's choice, complete registration to start the process of bidding on the official website.
Challenges and Considerations
Owning a fancy number plate in Kerala is desirable, but specific challenges and regulations must be navigated.
Competitive Bidding Process
- Escalating Costs: Fanciful number plates easily get sucked into price-pushing bidding wars, making it hard for buyers to get their favourite numbers.
- Fairness Concerns: Many times, there are allegations regarding the validity of the tendering process. While the system aims to be as transparent as possible, the legitimacy of the entire process has always come under scrutiny.
Legal Compliance
- Plate Modification: Due to the massive demand for fancy numbers, some people even resort to illegally changing their fancy numbers to make them more glamorous. The Kerala Transport Department has brought in strict regulations concerning this.
- Legal Penalties: Using plates other than in prescribed formats–like fonts, sizes, or symbols– can attract fines or penalties.
Limited Customisation Options
- Standardised Design: The number plates will have to be in formats specified by the government; therefore, a few more avenues for personalisation would be available. The Motor Vehicles Act,1988, states that all plates should confine themselves to a specified design and size and carry the prescribed font.
- Consequences for Violations: Any deviation from the official format will attract legal action.
How to Transfer Fancy Number Plates
- To transfer your fancy number plate to any other vehicle, you must first apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to ensure it has no liability pending, after which you may proceed with the transfer.
- The procedure may involve making a formal request, producing vehicle registration documents, and clearing any pending fines or dues.
- Once the NOC is obtained, you need to pay the transfer fee, which can be high depending on various factors, such as the jurisdiction of the RTO, the type of fancy number plate, or the demand for the number.
- It can go from a few hundred to thousands of Rupees for a very exclusive number.
- Your registration must be transferred within the same state you were registered in when taking the number plate; usually, interstate transfers have more legal obligations that take time to fulfil.
Conclusion
In Kerala, fancy number plates combine an element of cultural identity, personal expression, and social status. The procedure to obtain these plates is well-defined, though adhering to the stipulations legally, is very important. With the demand for these plates on an upward swing, the scenario of this competitive auction is there to stay. Whether your motivation is spiritual, aesthetic, or social, having a fancy number plate in Kerala is an achievable and rewarding pursuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
