Latest news with #numberplates
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dh55 million for a car number plate? Why are some plates so expensive in the UAE?
Less is more — that's definitely true when it comes to car number plates in the UAE. The fewer the digits, the more expensive they are. This could help explain why Dubai's 'P7' car number plate set the record for the most expensive number plate in the world when it was auctioned for Dh55 million in 2023. This surpassed the previous record of Dh52.5 million set by the 1 number plate sold in Abu Dhabi. Owning a personalised number plate could turn more heads than the car you drive. And thankfully, you don't need to spend millions to acquire one. While single-digit number plates are the most expensive, there are many double and triple-digit combinations that are priced lower. Or, you could go the other way and pick numbers that represent a significant date — such as the date you got married, or the birth date of your children. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has just finished its latest auction of distinctive number plates consisting of three-, four-, and five-digit combinations for private vehicles, classic vehicles, and motorcycles. This was the RTA's 79th online auction and included 350 exclusive plates up for grabs. Many of its auctions are organised to raise money for good causes, such as the 1 Billion Meals Endowment and the Fathers' Endowment Campaign. The One Billion Meals Endowment campaign was launched under the global initiatives umbrella spearheaded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with the aim of fighting global hunger. One of the most memorable auctions saw Muhammad BinGhatti, chairman of Binghatti Holding, pay Dh35 million for the DD5 number plate, which started with a bidding price of Dh15 million. While single-digit plates are the most exclusive, repeating numbers (like 111, 7777) or patterns (like 1234) are also highly prized. Personalised number plates are bought primarily as a status symbol, much like an expensive watch. But there are also those motorists who buy them as investments, hoping their value will increase over time. Manan Mistry, who owns the company Create Me, has bought four personalised number plates during his 19 years in the UAE. The 45-year-old paid around Dh4,000 per plate, which were put on various cars, including a Hummer, Chevy Camaro and Mustang. Important numbers 'I just thought it would be cool to have what you wanted, so I went ahead and bought personalised plates,' he said. One of the number plates is similar to his phone number while another one is the date of his wedding anniversary. Mistry plans to sell two of them as a pair, but not the marriage date one as it is 'priceless'. 'I also have L plates, which people think is a limo company. But at the time, it was the letter,' he joked. Jamie McGinlay, 49, bought the number plates O 3275 and P 3275 about five years ago and paid Dh9,000 for the pair. 'Originally, one was on my wife's Porsche Cayenne, but it's now on my Lotus Emira. The other has always been on my Aston Martin. I thought it would be a good way of making a little money on something a little fancy as I have always liked cars,' explained McGinlay, who is the CEO of a defence contracting company and has lived in the UAE for 16 years. 'I haven't ever sold them, but I am aware that their value has increased massively.' Back in 2017, the RTA launched a campaign called 'Your Memorable Moments on Your Vehicle's Plate' for U-coded plates. It allowed buyers to choose five-digit plates bearing a code personalised to resemble important dates. If I were to buy them for my two sons' birthdays, the plates would look very similar – 10107 and 10710. If you want a personalised number plate (officially called Special Plate Numbers) in Dubai, you can buy one directly from the RTA, participate in one of its online or physical auctions, or from a second-hand marketplace. The RTA offers customisation services, allowing you to choose letters and numbers that hold personal significance, as long as they haven't already been taken. Regular number plates have single letters at the front, with lower letters like A, B, and C normally meaning they are older. Once you start seeing double letters (like CC) then you will know these are part of a special series or auction. If you are taking part in an auction, make sure you determine your budget before you start bidding. Personalised plates can range in price from thousands to millions of dirhams, so don't get carried away. Having a hard ceiling on the price you are willing to pay will stop your emotions from taking over. Auctions can be competitive, especially for highly sought-after plates, so think carefully before you enter a bidding war.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Urgent warning for drivers over little-known 10-year number plate rule that could see you fined £1,000 – is yours valid?
DRIVERS are being urged to check their number plates for a little-known rule that could see them fined £1000. In 2001, a standard font was introduced to make registration numbers more legible, affecting thousands of motorists with personalised plates. 1 Personalised number plates have grown in popularity, with recent trends including different sized characters and spaces between letters. But with strict regulations in place, many drivers unknowingly fall fowl of UK driving laws and could face a fine of up to £1,000. To comply, motorists must have their number plates created by a registered supplier and be up to date with the latest certification. Plates should be made of a reflective material with black characters on a white background on the front of the vehicle and black on yellow at the rear. A spokesperson from a car leasing agency told CarReg: 'A number plate is essentially a car's passport – and you wouldn't change the format of your own passport, so why mess with your car's? 'They carry lots of important information to do with tax and licencing, and so not following the rules can result in some very large fines.' DVLA has urged drivers to check their plates have the latest certificate or retention document. The authority said: "Do you have a personalised registration that is not on a vehicle? "If it's been 10 years since the latest certificate or retention document for your registration was issued, you may need to renew it this year. It's free to renew." This comes as the authority warned drivers to be vigilant when posting online due to a rise in identity theft. Millions of drivers must make new pre-registration move from Sept. 1 - missing 2-day deadline will mean fines Crooks are becoming increasingly wise to what is being posted online - using personal information to target individuals financially. In a statement, the driving authority cautioned drivers to be vigilant when sharing documents containing details of their identity online. More specifically, sharing a V5C log book on social media could lead to identity theft, which could leave you thousands of pounds in debt. These documents contain key information on a car such as the vehicle's registration and identity number, and engine specification. But they also hold a plethora of information about owners. Details such as a person's full name and address are enough to put them in serious risk. The DVLA said: "Stay safe online – don't share photos of your V5C log book on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use them for identity theft."
The Independent
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Ministers urged to take action over ghost number plates
Ministers are being pressured to take urgent action over illegal so-called ghost number plates. The plates have a reflective coating, which prevents them from being identified by police cameras. The British Number Plate Manufacturers Association (BNMA), which represents companies producing the vast majority of plates in the UK, wants tougher regulation of the sector. In a letter to the Government, it claimed that a number of suppliers that have not registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are not following its requirements. It warned that this has led to a rise in ghost plates and cloning, which is when a plate displays the same registration as another vehicle. BNMA chairman Michael Flanagan said: 'Far from being the tightly regulated industry it should be, number plates are increasingly being sold by unscrupulous below-the-radar suppliers using non-compliant, untraceable materials. 'They rarely ask for the documentation that the DVLA require. 'This is a criminal offence and enables serious criminals and terrorists to move around the roads undetected. 'Motorists deserve to know they are buying a legal, compliant number plate from a legitimate supplier. 'Now is the time for Government to tighten the regulations.' Sarah Coombes, Labour MP for West Bromwich, wants the punishment for being caught with a ghost plate to be raised from a £100 fine and no penalty points to a fine of at least £1,000 and six penalty points. She said: 'Dodgy number plates are no longer a fringe issue. They're everywhere and they're undermining the rule of law on our roads. 'I know this Government is committed to making our roads safer for everyone. Tightening the law on number plates will be a huge step in the right direction.' Ms Coombes is hosting a roundtable event in Parliament on Tuesday with industry experts, the DVLA and police forces to discuss ghost plates. A DVLA spokesperson said: 'DVLA is committed to ensuring all number plates are displayed correctly and legally. We work with the police and Trading Standards to take action against suppliers who do not comply with the law. 'A legitimate supplier will always ask to see ID and entitlement documents before selling a number plate. Where this doesn't happen, members of the public can report this directly to their local Trading Standards.'
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
‘L1KE' beats ‘L0VE'? Hong Kong romantics pay top dollar for prized number plates
Romantics battled to get their hands on prized number plates at a Hong Kong auction on Saturday, with 'I L1KE U' fetching HK$130,000 (US$16,600) and others paying top dollar for ones linked to 'love'. Advertisement Some spent thousands of Hong Kong dollars on plates bearing obscure numbers and letters, as about 100 people sought out rare finds at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai in the afternoon. One motorist with a wry sense of humour picked up '2 P00R' for a modest HK$24,000, beating out two other bidders. 'WEALTHY', ironically, sold for just HK$22,000. Bids for 'I L1KE U' started at HK$5,000 and shot up rapidly as several hopefuls exchanged fire in HK$1,000 increments, before offers began to rise by HK$2,000 and then HK$5,000 at a time. The plate, which sold for HK$130,000, was one of the 120 auctioned by the Transport Department in the afternoon. Advertisement 'L0VE UUU' also managed to fetch HK$52,000, 'X LK X' reached HK$48,000 and 'L0VEEE' went for HK$30,000.
Arabian Business
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
RTA to auction premium Dubai number plates
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to hold its 79th online auction for exclusive number plates, offering 350 distinctive plates consisting of three, four, and five-digit combinations for private vehicles, classic vehicles, and motorcycles. The auction includes plates bearing codes H through Z, covering the following categories: H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Registration for the auction opens on Monday May 19 2025, and will remain open for five days only. Dubai number plate auction The auction will go live on Monday, May 26, 2025. All sales are subject to a 5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), and all participants must hold a valid traffic file in the Emirate of Dubai. To participate, bidders are required to submit a security cheque payable to RTA amounting AED5,000, along with a non-refundable participation fee of AED120. Payments can be made at the Customer Happiness Centres in Umm Ramool, Al Barsha, and Deira, or via credit card through the RTA website. The auction terms also require successful bidders to complete payment within 10 working days from the auction's closing date. Payments can be made at authorised service provider centres as follows: cash for amounts up to AED50,000, and certified cheque or credit card for amounts exceeding AED50,000.
