How to Get a Fancy Vehicle Registration Number in India (2026)

There are several car and bike lovers in India who want a fancy and unique number plate for their cars. Whatever the reason may be, from aesthetics to culture or beliefs, fancy numbers have become a prestigious thing for many vehicle owners.

Getting fancy car registration has become much simpler with the introduction of an online allocation system by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). However, this process includes finding an available number, reserving the number, participating in any online auction, and registering within the stipulated time.

Here's a detailed guide on how to obtain a Parivahan fancy number for your car or bike.

Understanding Fancy Vehicle Registration Numbers

Vehicle registration numbers are made up of your state code, your Regional Transport Office (RTO) number, the letters 'IND' signifying India, and a unique registration number. Some unique registration numbers are considered 'fancy' or 'VIP' registration numbers due to the high demand for them.

Vehicle owners are ready to pay a premium price for obtaining these numbers for their vehicles. These unique numbers often comprise repeating digits, specific patterns, birth dates, or lucky numbers. For example, 9999, 0001, and 1111. Fancy vehicle registration numbers are considered to be a status symbol by many car and bike enthusiasts in India.

Obtaining such numbers involves participating in an auction and, at times, a significant expense. The prices of these 'VIP' registration numbers can be lakhs of rupees. The government conducts online auctions or e-auctions where interested buyers can place bids for these VIP numbers.

How to Get a Fancy Registration Number: Step-by-Step Guide

Here's a step-by-step guide explaining how to get a fancy registration number for your car or bike.

1. Checking the Availability of the Number

• Visit the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Scroll to the bottom and click on the 'Fancy Number Allocation' option.
• You will be redirected to a new page. Click on the 'Choice Number' option at the bottom.
• A new page will be displayed where you can select your state and the specific Regional Transport Office (RTO) to view a list of available fancy registration numbers.
• Check whether the fancy registration number of your choice is available.

2. Reservation

You must pay a reservation fee to secure the fancy number of your choice.

• Register yourself on the website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways by filling up an application form.
• You will receive a Unique Acknowledgment Number (UAN) after registration.
• After this, pay the non-refundable registration fee along with the reserve price for your preferred number.
• Select the desired number to reserve it.

3. E-auction

If multiple applicants apply for a single registration number, the number is allocated through an e-auction.

• The registration window remains open for three days, after which the bidding process takes place over the next two days.
• During the auction, you can increase your bid in multiples of ₹10,000 for numbers in categories 1 to 4, and in multiples of ₹1,000 for category 5.
• Once the bidding ends, the highest bidder will be notified through an SMS and email.

4. Payment

If you manage to get the fancy registration number during the e-auction, you need to pay the remaining amount online within five days of receiving the notification. The amount depends on the bids placed for each number.

5. Allotment Letter

• Once the payment is made, you will receive an allotment letter regarding your fancy registration number. The letter stays valid for 90 days.
• Use this letter to register your vehicle at the designated RTO within this period. This entire process can take around 4 to 5 days.

Factors That Influence the Price of a Fancy Car Registration Number

There are certain RTO Charges for New Cars in India that influence the price of fancy car registration number after the new vehicle registration process:

Demand for Specific Number Combinations

Some registration numbers always fetch high bidding amounts due to their uniqueness or cultural significance. Some of the popular numbers include 0001, 0007, 1111, 9999, 1234, and 0786.

Statewise Price Variations

The reserve prices for fancy car registration numbers differ from one state to another. The prices are set by the transport departments according to their policies and demand. Therefore, there can be considerable variation in the prices of the same registration number across states.

Reserve Price vs. Final Auction Price

The reserve price is only the starting bid. If several applicants compete for the same number, the final auction price can increase substantially. In the case of very desirable numbers, the bid made could be many times the reserve price.

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Popularity and Symbolic Meaning

A lot of bidders like numbers that are connected to their birthday, anniversaries, branding, luck, or religion. This can drive the auction price much higher than you would expect.

Registration Charges Applicable for Fancy Registration Numbers

Once you select a fancy registration number, you need to pay a fee to reserve it. However, if more than one applicant wants the same number, the number is allotted through an auction. The fees are set for different registration numbers based on how unique or significant they are. The fees vary with each state. Here's an example of the registration fees to be paid for popular fancy numbers in Maharashtra

Can You Transfer a Fancy Registration Number to Another Vehicle?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether a Parivahan fancy number can be transferred from one vehicle to another. The answer depends on the applicable transport department rules.

Generally, a fancy registration number is allotted for a specific vehicle at the time of registration. Transfer to another vehicle is not automatically permitted and is subject to the rules of the respective State Transport Department or Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Transfer requests may be considered in limited situations, such as:

• Replacement of the existing vehicle.
• Retention of the registration number under applicable state policies.
• Compliance with the prescribed transfer procedure.

Where permitted, applicants may be required to submit documents such as:

• Registration Certificate (RC)
• Identity proof
• Address proof
• Application for transfer or retention
• Any additional documents specified by the concerned RTO

Since transfer policies vary across states, vehicle owners should verify the applicable rules with their local transport authority before initiating the process.

What to Do After Winning a Fancy Number Auction

Winning the auction is only one part of the new vehicle registration process. A few important formalities remain before the fancy registration number can be legally used.

Download the Allotment Letter

After making the required payment, download or collect the allotment letter issued by the transport authority. This document serves as proof that the registration number has been allotted to you.

Complete the Vehicle Registration

Your allotted fancy number becomes valid only after your vehicle registration is completed at the concerned RTO within the validity period mentioned in the allotment letter.

Update the Registration Certificate (RC)

Once the registration is approved, your allotted fancy registration number will be reflected in the Registration Certificate (RC). After the RC is issued, you can also download your RC book online through the applicable government platforms.

Complete the Formalities Within the Timeline

The validity period for an allotment letter is usually 90 days. If you do not complete the formalities within the stipulated time, your allotted number may lapse and may be allotted to another applicant.

Car and bike enthusiasts choose fancy vehicle registration numbers for reasons such as numerology, personal preferences, religious beliefs, or branding. Some apply for them because they are considered a status symbol. The government has enabled an online allocation process for issuing such fancy registration numbers. Although the fees are pre-decided by the government, an e-auction is conducted if multiple applicants have applied for one registration number.