How to Get a Fancy Number Plate in Sikkim: Detailed Guide

In Sikkim, many premium vehicle owners prefer to obtain a fancy number plate for their automobiles. Whether it is to convey exclusivity or uniqueness, people usually go for speciality number plates to attract more attention on the road. Sequences such as 0001, 8888, 4444, 0011, and others are fancy plate numbers that are often appealing to many.

In this guide, we will explain how to obtain these speciality number plates in Sikkim. We have also covered the eligibility criteria, online registration process, and e-auction bidding to obtain a fancy number plate.

Types of Fancy Number Plates & Pricing Categories in Sikkim

There are several fancy number categories available in Sikkim, where each comes with a specific reserve price. The reserve price is given only as the opening bid amount set by the Transport Department. The final cost can vary considerably depending on demand.

The table below discusses the fancy number examples, their categories, and pricing:

Category Name	Example Numbers	Estimated Reserve Price (Base Price)
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 “Super-Elite” category has the highest base reserve price. It also receives the highest competitive bids. Then, there are the “General Choice” numbers, which are considered desirable but are not necessarily in the ultra-premium class.

A lot of people place their bids for this category, since they are more budget-friendly and are designed for consumers who want uniqueness without the price.

Eligibility and Documents Required

It is important to gather the essential documents required for online registration and e-auction beforehand for a hassle-free process. This ensures that there are no complications with the registration process.

The list of essential documents is as follows:

Document Type	Requirement / Notes
Vehicle Details	Vehicle purchase invoice (if already purchased)
Proof of Identity	Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Voter ID
Proof of Address	Aadhaar Card, Passport, utility bill, or other valid address proof
PAN Card	Mandatory for high-value transactions
Mobile Number	An active mobile number is required for OTP verification, bidding alerts, and auction notifications

How to Check the Availability of a Fancy Number Plate in Sikkim and Register Online?

Applying for a fancy number plate in Sikkim can be done easily through the official Parivahan online portal. Here’s a step-by-step process to check availability and register your preferred number directly without any issues:

How to Check the Availability for a Fancy Number Plate?

Here’s how to check your fancy number plate availability in Sikkim:

• Step 1: Go to the Parivahan website and select the “Fancy Number Booking” section under Online Services. Click on “By Number” and select “All Available Numbers.”
• Step 2: Choose “Sikkim” as your state, then choose your district RTO.
• Step 3: The website will show the availability of fancy numbers for the respective RTO you selected.
• Step 4: Filter the results using single-digit numbers, repeating numbers, sequential patterns, and special combinations, as required.

Steps to Follow for Online Registration for the Fancy Number Plate

In Sikkim, both online and offline registration processes are available to people seeking a fancy number plate. However, most people prefer online applications to save time.

Here are the steps to follow for online registration for the fancy number plate in Sikkim:

• Step 1: Go to the Parivahan official website and select “Sikkim” as your place of residence.
• Step 2: Enter your mobile number and email ID in the respective fields to create an account and register.
• Step 3: Select your desired RTO from the list of RTOs in Sikkim. For example, SK-01,  SK-02, SK-03, and etc.
• Step 4: Choose your preferred fancy number from the list of fancy number categories or any number sequence and check whether it is available, in bid, or reserved.
• Step 5: You have to pay the mandatory Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) to participate in the auction. The EMD is refunded if you do not win the auction.
• Step 6: Participate in the e-auction bidding on the declared date. You can bid manually or set an auto-bid system that increases your bid gradually up to your maximum limit.
• Step 7: If you win the auction for your desired fancy number, download the allotment letter from the portal and submit it to the chosen RTO for registration.

The E-Auction Process: Bidding & Payment

You have to go through the E-auction process on the MoRTH or Parivahan portal to bid for your fancy number plate in Sikkim. The portal provides an opportunity for all bidders to bid on the speciality numbers.

The overview of the bidding process in e-auction is outlined in the table below:

Process Stage	Duration/Timeline	Action Required
Registration	1-3 days	Register on the official website of the MoRTH, generate a UAN (Unique Acknowledgement Number), pay the registration fee, and reserve price
Bidding	Next 2 days	Select your desired fancy number and place bids. Bids can be increased in multiples of ₹10,000 for categories 1–4, and ₹1,000 for category 5.A cooling-off period applies between bid increments. Auto-bid options can help place bids automatically up to your defined limit.
Result Declaration	Immediately after bidding ends	Winners are informed via SMS and email. Deposit the remaining amount online within 5 days.Once the payment is confirmed, the Allotment Letter is generated, which remains valid for 90 days to complete vehicle registration.

It is mandatory to understand the key differences between the Registration Fee and the Reserve Price. The registration fee is non-refundable, regardless of the auction results, while the reserve price serves as the base bid and is refundable if you lose the bidding process.

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.

After the bidding process, a cooldown process commences during which bidders may change their bids before the auction ends. The fancy number is then provided to the highest bidder, and the results are announced after the five-day auction.

Post Auction: Allotment & Validity

After the completion of the e-auction process, a series of activities will follow, depending on whether the bidder has acquired the number.

The following table summarises those activities after the auction ends:

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 given to the successful bidders. This is valid for 90 days from the date of allotment. Within this timeframe, you must register your vehicle with the respective RTO in Sikkim. Any non-compliance with the registration timeline may render the allotment letter invalid and result in its forfeiture.

Unsuccessful bidders can claim a refund of the EMD, which will be credited to you within 5-7 days. However, the registration fee for the e-auction of their desired speciality number is non-refundable.

Even though you have a fancy number plate, you must ensure that your vehicle complies with the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, regarding emission standards, safety, and documentation. Otherwise, you will face legal issues regarding your vehicle due to non-compliance with government rules and regulations.

Things to Remember & Rules (HRSP, Refunds & Transfer)

Some important rules with legal formalities must be followed to ensure a smooth online process for applying for a fancy number plate. Adhering to these guidelines helps avoid delays, penalties, or cancellations.

They include:

• HSRP Compliance: All cars in Sikkim with fancy number plates must comply with the HSRP (High-Security Registration Plate) regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It means that the number plate cannot have fancy fonts, spacing, symbols, or designs based on personal preferences.
• Refund Rules: If you do not win the auction, the reserve price is automatically refunded to your original payment method. But the registration charge is non-refundable under any circumstances.

In some cases, when a person may not receive an allotment letter even after winning the bid, refunds can be claimed under the Parivahan guidelines.

• Transfer & Retention of Fancy Numbers: Fancy numbers are linked to the car specifically. Thus, when selling a vehicle, the fancy number plate is also expected to be transferred along with it.

However, keeping a fancy number or transferring it to a new car is only possible under certain conditions. It is essential to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Sikkim RTO to transfer the fancy number plate from one owner to another.

Summary

Obtaining a fancy number plate in Sikkim has become easy and hassle-free. You just have to follow the steps carefully on the government portal to check availability and to proceed with registration. Afterwards, with the UAN, you have to participate in the e-auction to bid for your preferred number sequence.

The winners are allotted the preferred sequence, and an allotment letter is issued, valid for 90 days. Within this timeframe, you must register your vehicle with the chosen state RTO. Bidders who lose the auction receive an EMD refund and can try again in the next bidding cycle.

FAQs about Fancy Number Plate in Sikkim