How to get a Fancy Number Plate in Himachal Pradesh: Detailed Guide

Thanks to the increasing demand for luxury cars and two-wheelers in Himachal Pradesh, especially in regions like Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, and Una, the preference for fancy number plates is also on the rise. A fancy number plate is a premium registration number for your car or bike that draws more attention on the road. They may come with sequences like 0001, 9999, 0088, and so on, representing religious or numerological beliefs, status, or individuality.  

The fancy number plate is obtained through the e-auction on the Parivahan portal. It is monitored and distributed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in all the states in India.

The following guide will help you understand the necessary information and processes for obtaining a fancy number plate in Himachal Pradesh. 

Types of Fancy Number Series and Categories in Himachal Pradesh

There are various types of fancy number series and categories available in Himachal Pradesh, with prices reserved for specific categories. Check out the table below for more details:

Category	Example for Fancy Numbers	Fees
Semi-fancy Numbers	0100, 0111, 0200, 0222, 0300, 0333, 0400, 0444, 0500, 0555, 0600, 0666, 0700, 0777, 0800, 0888, 0900, 0999, 20000, 2222, 3000, 3333, 4000, 4444, 5000, 5555, 6000, 6666, 7000, 8000, 8888, 9000, 0101, 0108, 1008 & 1313	₹1 Lakh
Single Digit	0002, 0003, 0004, 0005, 0006, 0007, 0008, 0009	₹3 Lakh
Others	0786, 1111, 7777, 9999, and the numbers between 0010 and 0099	₹2 Lakh
Super Elite	0001	₹5 Lakh

The table above contains the list price for all number categories. It is the amount from which bidding starts, and the final price can be significantly higher depending on demand for the number plate or the bid amount. In this regard, super-elite fancy number plates are in high demand due to their rarity. In contrast, semi-fancy and single-digit number plates have lower demand, resulting in lower prices.     

Eligibility & Documents Required for a Fancy Number Plate in Himachal Pradesh

Before the e-auction process and active bidding, you must know which documents are required to secure your desired number plate. All these documents are necessary to prove your citizenship in Himachal Pradesh as an Indian and to ensure a smooth registration process. 

The following documents are required to obtain a fancy number plate in Himachal Pradesh:

Document Type	Requirement/note
Proof of Identity	Aadhaar card, PAN card, or any government-issued ID.
Address Proof	Aadhaar card, utility bill, or any government-recognised address proof.
Vehicle Identity	Vehicle invoice (if already purchased).
Mobile Number	For receiving One Time Password (OTP) and updates.
Details of Registration	Name, father’s name, address, email, Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) ID for individuals or HUM ID for businesses, bank account with IFSC, and any other relevant information requested

How to Check the Availability of the Fancy Number Plate in Himachal Pradesh and Register Online?

The following steps guide you in checking the availability of speciality number plates in Himachal Pradesh and registering online.

Step-by-Step Process to Check Availability of a Fancy Number Plate in Himachal Pradesh

• Step 1: Visit the Official Parivahan Website or MoRTH Portal

Go to the Parivahan portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and click on “Fancy Number Booking” under Online Services. 

• Step 2: Choose the Required Option

You can either choose the “By Number” or the “All Available Numbers” option to begin the availability check.

• Step 3: Set State & RTO Choice

Select your state as “Himachal Pradesh” and choose the respective RTO from the given list on the website.

• Step 4: Browse the Available Fancy Numbers

Once you select your preferred RTO, a list of fancy numbers is shown on the portal. 

• Step 5: Proceed if the Number is Available

If the desired number is available, then you can proceed to make the online booking from the same website.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Register for a Fancy Number Plate in Himachal Pradesh

• Step 1: Complete Registration as a Public User

Visit the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) website and create an account as a public user by providing your valid mobile number and email ID.

• Step 2: Log in and Select the Number

Create an account using your information, then navigate to the existing fancy numbers in your chosen category and RTO.

• Step 3: Complete Registration & Reservation Fee Payment

You need to pay a non-refundable registration fee to ensure your selected fancy number in the next auction.

• Step 4: Participate in the e-Auction

When the live auctioning window starts, place your bids. The bidding process will continue until the auction closes, with specific bid increments.

• Step 5: Result Declaration & Payment

Once the findings are announced, the winning bidder is expected to pay the balance within the specified timeframe. The reserve price is refunded to the other bidders. 

• Step 6: Download the Allotment Letter

After making the successful payment, download and print the allotment letter, which is essential for vehicle registration at the RTO. This entire online process enables simple, transparent, and traceable allocation of a fancy number plate in Himachal Pradesh.

The E-auction Process: Bidding & Payment

Every applicant who desires a fancy number plate and has registered online must participate in the e-auction process held on the MoRTH or Parivahan portal on a declared date. It will provide all bidders with an equal opportunity to access the fancy number plate.

Here are the core steps involved in the e-auction process:

Process Stage	Duration/Timeline	Action Required
Registration	First 3 days	Register on the official website of the MoRTH, generate a UAN (Unique Acknowledgement Number), pay the registration fee, and reserve the price
Bidding	Next 2 days	Place and revise bids within permitted bid multiples
Result Declaration	End of Day 5	Winning bidder notified via SMS and email

How Bidding & Payments Work?

You have to understand the fundamental difference between the registration fee and the reserve price: 

• The registration fee is non-refundable and is not related to the bidding outcome. 
• The reserve price is the base bid amount for your preferred number and is refundable if your bid is unsuccessful.
• The selected number is temporarily blocked after registration. 
• The bidding process begins after registration closes. 
• The bid has fixed intervals for increasing bids. These are ₹10,000 for categories 1-4, and ₹1,000 for category 5. 
• The “Current Status” reflects the highest bid placed for the selected number.

Post-auction: Allotment and Validity

After a successful bidding, there are several other procedures that need to be completed in a timely manner to secure your desired fancy number plate. Check them out below:

Outcome	Next step	Time limit
Won the bid	Pay the balance amount	Within 5 days of the result
Lost the bid	Claim a refund of EMD	Refund processed within 5-7 days
Validity period	Register the vehicle at the RTO	90 days from the receipt of the allotment letter

An allotment letter is issued to successful bidders and is valid for 90 days from the date of allotment. The purchased vehicle must be registered with the relevant RTO, and the fancy number plate must be issued within this timeframe. If you do not register your car or bike within these 90 days, the allotment letter becomes invalid and forfeited.

For unsuccessful bidders, the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) can be refunded. The EMD is credited to them within 5-7 days.

Things to Take Care of While Applying Online for a Fancy Number Plate in Himachal Pradesh

When applying for a fancy number plate in Himachal Pradesh, here are some things that you must keep in mind:

HSRP Compliance (Mandatory for All Vehicles)

A fancy number plate must fully comply with the standards of the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP). This implies there are no personalised fonts, distorted spacing, symbols, stickers, or decorations. 

Furthermore, the plate should be obtained from a certified supplier and meet the specifications of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It is worth pointing out that the fancy number applies only to the assigned registration number, not to the design or appearance of the plate.

Refund Rules if You Lose the Bid

If you lose the bid, the reserve price amount is automatically refunded to the same bank account used for payment. However, the registration fee is strictly non-refundable. 

In rare cases where a bidder wins the auction but is unable to obtain the selected number due to a technical issue, a refund may be claimed in accordance with the guidelines on the Parivahan portal.

Transfer or Retention of Fancy Number Plates

Fancy number plates in Himachal Pradesh can be retained or transferred, subject to certain conditions:

• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Himachal Pradesh RTO is mandatory to transfer a fancy number from one vehicle to another within the state.
• Inter-state transfer is generally not permitted, except within Himachal Pradesh, and must be authorised by the RTO.
• Transfer fees vary depending on the number of RTOs involved and can range from a few hundred to several thousand rupees.
• All prescribed legal procedures must be completed to transfer or sell a fancy number plate.

Conclusion

After reviewing the discussions above, you may be aware that obtaining a fancy number series in Himachal Pradesh is not tedious. To display individualism, exclusivity, or numerological beliefs, people in Himachal Pradesh prefer fancy number plates for their luxury vehicles. With the help of the Parivahan portal, residents can check the availability of their desired fancy number plate, apply online, and participate in the e-auction process hassle-free. 

Successful bidders in the e-auction process can avail the preferred speciality number plate, whereas unsuccessful bidders receive an EMD refund. Even though you have a fancy number plate, you need to comply with the HSRP rules and the MV Act, 1988. 

FAQs about Getting a Fancy Number Plate in Himachal Pradesh