Be it your first vehicle or a new addition, every car or bike holds a special place in your heart. For auto enthusiasts, one way to make your valuable machine truly exclusive is by customising it with a fancy number plate. It offers a unique combination of numbers, symbols, patterns, or sequences to give your vehicle a clear identity and distinguish it from the crowd.
However, the process of obtaining a fancy number can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. This guide will walk you through the entire fancy number booking process — from registration to final allocation — helping you make this important milestone even more memorable.
A fancy number, also known as the VIP number or special registration number, refers to a personalised registration number that the Regional Transport Office (RTO) does not assign automatically during vehicle purchases.
People often choose fancy numbers that have aesthetic or symbolic significance, such as lucky numbers, the date of birth, or repeated digits with deeper meaning. You can select your desired fancy number through the Parivahan Sewa official site, either by direct purchase or bidding.
Here’s a closer look at the components of a vehicle number plate ‘MH 47 AB XXXX’
| Components | Breakdown |
|---|---|
| MH | The first two letters show the state where the vehicle is registered. For example, ‘MH’ indicates Maharashtra. |
| 47 | These two numbers are the code of the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The number varies based on multiple districts within the state, as all districts have different RTOs. In this case, ‘47’ is the RTO for Borivali (Mumbai, Maharashtra) |
| AB | ‘AB’ is a pair of letters representing the alphabetical order series in which all cars are registered in a specific RTO. |
| XXXX | The last four digits represent the unique registration number allotted to the vehicle. |
| IND | To ensure road safety and prevent theft, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has made it mandatory for all vehicles in India to have High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) with the ‘IND’ marking (indicating India). This applies to vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, as those after this date already include HSRPs. |
Also Read: How to Apply for an HSRP Number Plate Online
Buyers decide the final price through e-auction bidding. The following detailed chart shows different fancy numbers and their costs in Maharashtra:
| Category | Fancy Number List | Approximate Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Super Elite | 0001 | ₹5 lakh |
| Single Digit | 0002, 0003, 0004, 0005, 0006, 0007, 0008, 0009 | ₹3 lakh |
| Semi-Fancy Numbers | 0100, 0111, 0200, 0222, 0300, 0333, 0400, 0444, 0500, 0555 0600, 0666, 0700, 0777, 0800, 0888, 0900, 0999, 2000, 2222 3000, 3333, 4000, 4444, 5000, 5555, 6000, 6666, 7000, 8000, 8888, 9000, 0101, 0108, 1008, 1313 | ₹1 lakh |
| Others | 0786, 1111, 7777, 9999, and numbers between 0010 and 0099 | ₹2 lakh |
Based on colour and format, there are eight different types of vehicle registration plates in India:
The most common vehicle registration plates in India are the white number plates with black lettering. These are strictly used for private vehicles and cannot be used for commercial purposes.
Yellow number plates with a black text pattern are designated for commercial vehicles such as taxis, cabs, trucks, and buses. To issue this type of number plate, the driver must hold a valid commercial driving permit.
As the name suggests, green coloured number plates are designated for electric vehicles. Personal vehicle number plates are inscribed with white lettering, while commercial vehicles (like taxis and delivery vehicles) feature yellow lettering on a green background.
Black number plates with yellow lettering are used for rental vehicles (such as self-driving cars and rental bikes) and luxury hotel transportation. This type of plate indicates that the vehicle is part of a commercial rental fleet, and the driver does not need a commercial driving permit to operate it.
The RTO assigns a red number plate to vehicles which are yet to receive a permanent vehicle number. These plates usually come with a 1-month validity, with operating rules varying from state to state in India.
Blue number plates with white lettering are used for vehicles belonging to foreign diplomats. Instead of a state code, these plates feature a country code that indicates the diplomat's home country: 77 represents the United States, and 75 represents Russia. They also include special abbreviations, such as DC (Diplomatic Corps), CC (Consular Corps), and UN (United Nations), among others.
Military vehicle license plates have a distinct design, registered under the Ministry of Defence. The upward-pointing arrows, called Broad Arrows, are common in the British Commonwealth. The digits after the arrow indicate the year of procurement, followed by the base code and serial number. The second-to-last letter represents the vehicle's class.
Red number plates with the Indian National Emblem are used on the vehicles belonging to the President, Vice President, Governors, and Lieutenant Governors. The plates have white letters and numbers on a red background with the Indian National Emblem at the centre.
The following are the steps to check the availability of a fancy number plate:
Follow these simple steps to register, place your bid, and secure the perfect fancy number for your car or bike:
Visit the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) 's official or Parivahan Sewa website. If you are a new applicant, sign up for ‘New Public User’ and fill in the mentioned columns, such as state, name, email ID, and mobile number, and verify using OTP. If registered, log in to your existing account.
Once logged in, search for the ‘Number Selection’ option from the main menu. Enter details of your preferred RTO office, vehicle type, category, and the fancy number series you desire to obtain.
Check if your desired vehicle’s fancy number is available for purchase. You can initiate the payment process and reserve the vehicle number instantly for direct purchase if the number is available.
If your reserved VIP number is being auctioned, you can place a bid to compete for it. If you win the auction, you must pay the remaining balance for your desired number plate. If things don’t work out as you wish, you can collect your initial payment refund.
Ensure you print the allotment letter after making the payment, since it officially confirms your transaction and the ownership of the fancy number.
The following are the steps to book a fancy number offline in Maharashtra:
Here are the simple steps to participate in the e-auction process for fancy number plates:
Remember these key points while reserving your preferred RTO choice number list for a car/bike through the online booking:
The process and availability vary from region to region across India. Check the respective region beforehand, as some states may have stricter regulations or higher fees.
In recent years, fancy phone numbers or unique license plate numbers have caught almost everyone’s eyes. Limited availability, high demand, and auctions make it tough to grab the VIP number you want.
Apart from the application fee, be aware of the costs involved, including auction fees, taxes, and other hidden charges. Be wary to avoid surprises and complications during the procurement process.
Securing a fancy number can be lengthy, especially when an auction round or administrative processes are involved. In such cases, gather all the required documents and prepare to dedicate enough time to the process.
The processing time for fancy numbers allotted through a Parivahan Sewa is generally around 5 days. Once you complete registration, the bidding process starts on the fourth day and continues until the fifth day. Register the vehicle with the relevant RTO within 90 days of receiving the allotment letter.
Getting a Parivahan fancy number for your car or bike in Maharashtra is a great way to customise your vehicle and make it worth watching on the road. The Parivahan Sewa portal makes the process simple: check availability, book, purchase/bid, and secure your fancy number plate online. As demand increases, familiarise yourself with the vehicle number details, vehicle registration details, and the required documents. So, ensure your vehicle’s fancy number plate is ready to hit the road legally and in style.
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