How to get a Fancy Number Plate in Punjab: Detailed Guide

Given the high motoring spirit in Punjab, a large segment of the population shows a preference for high-end two-wheelers and luxury cars. Thus, there is also a significant demand for speciality number plates to express individuality, exclusivity, and personal beliefs. Fancy number plates in Punjab containing memorable sequences such as 0001, 1111, 0088, and other repeating numbers are thus in high demand among vehicle enthusiasts. 

This guide will explain in detail the process for obtaining a fancy number plate in Punjab, including availability, eligibility, reserve prices for different categories, online application methods, and how the e-auction is conducted on the respective government portals.

Type of Fancy Number Plates and Pricing Categories in Punjab

Fancy number plates in Punjab are categorised based on exclusivity, individuality, or personal numerological beliefs. The following table shows the categories and their respective reserve prices in Punjab:

Category Name	Example Numbers	Estimated Reserve Price (Base Price)
Super Elite	0001	₹5 Lakh
Premium	0002, 0003, 0004, 0005, 0006, 0007, 0008, 0009	₹3 Lakh
Repeating	1111, 5555, 2222, etc.	₹2 Lakh
Semi-premium	1001, 1212, 4545, etc.	₹50,000
Special	6767, 1515, etc.	₹25,000

Each category has a respective reserve price, which is the base price for the e-auction. The final price can rise significantly based on the demand and level of competitiveness. 

The “Super Elite” series comes with the highest reserve price and generally receives record-breaking bids in the e-auction. It has the highest demand among all other categories. Individuals seeking a fancy number plate without wanting to head over to the premium pricing category generally go for the premium, semi-premium, or repeating number sequences.  

Eligibility and Documents Required for Fancy Number Plates in Punjab

Before attending the Punjab e-auction for a fancy number plate, prospective buyers must know the documents required for registration on the respective portals. If you are well-versed in the required documents, you may experience a hassle-free registration and bidding process. The following table denotes the documents required for the buyers:

Document Type	Requirement / Notes
Proof of Identity	Aadhaar Card, PAN Card (mandatory for high-value bids), Voter ID
Proof of Address	Aadhaar, utility bill, or government-approved address proof
Vehicle Details	Vehicle invoice (if already purchased)
Mobile Number	Active number for OTP, auction alerts, and status updates
Email ID	Mandatory for registration and notifications
Bank Details	Account number and IFSC for payments/refunds
Dealer Documents (if applicable)	GST details, trade certificate, business registration

Both private vehicle owners and registered dealerships can apply for the e-auction process. Commercial car dealers can bid on behalf of clients but must register the vehicle in the customer’s name. 

What’s more, you do not need to have a vehicle to apply for a fancy number plate in Punjab. You can apply for a number plate first and then get it affixed to your vehicle within 90 days of obtaining the allotment letter.

How to Check Availability of Fancy Numbers in Punjab and Register Online?

Here are the steps to register online for a fancy number plate in Punjab:

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

Step 1: Visit the Official Parivahan Website or MoRTH Portal

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

Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Option

Click on either the “By Number” or “All Available Numbers” option to begin the availability check.

Step 3: Set the State & RTO

Now, select your state as “Punjab” and choose the respective RTO from the given list on the website.

Step 4: Look for Available Fancy Numbers

After selecting the preferred RTO, the website will display a list of fancy numbers. Select the choices available to choose the desired number.

Step 5: Proceed if the Number is Available

If your desired fancy number is available, proceed to make the online booking from the same website.

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

• Step 1: You need to go to the official website of the Parivahan department and select Punjab as your resident state.
• Step 2: Register with your email ID and mobile number on the portal to create an account. You will receive OTP and other updates for the fancy number registration on your registered number.
• Step 3: Choose your desired RTO in Punjab.
• Step 4: Search for your desired fancy number as per the category depicted above or any preferred sequence.
• 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 auction process. You can do it manually or use the auto-bid option to increase the 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

The Parivahan portal provides a fair share of winning chances to all prospective buyers during the e-auction bidding. Here is a detailed overview:

Process Stage	Duration / Timeline	Action Required
Registration	First 3 days	Register, upload documents, and pay a non-refundable fee
Bidding	Next 2 days	Place and revise bids online
Result Declaration	End of Day 5	Highest bidder announced via SMS/email

How Bidding & Payments Work?

Before you proceed with the bidding process, you must understand the difference between the reserve price and the registration fee:

• Registration fees are not refunded, irrespective of the auction result.
• The reserve price is the minimum bid amount that can be refunded if the bidder loses the auction.

During the bidding process, participants can increase their bids in multiples of the amount shown in the portal, which is typically ₹10,000 in most categories and ₹1,000 in lower categories. The system also displays the highest current offer in real time. The winner is then given the fancy number plate. 

Post-auction: Allotment and Validity

After the bidding process is over, you need to keep the following things in mind, whether you won the bid or lost:

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

For a successful bidder, an allotment letter is generated, which is valid for 90 days. Within this timeframe, you have to register the vehicle with the valid allotment letter for the fancy number at the RTO you have chosen. If the allotment letter is not used to register the car/bike within 90 days, it will be considered forfeited.

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

Here are a few things to remember when applying for a fancy number plate in Punjab:

HSRP Compliance (Mandatory for All Vehicles)

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

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 is automatically refunded to the same bank account you used for payment. However, the registration fee is strictly non-refundable. 

Furthermore, 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

One can retain or transfer a fancy number plate in Punjab, subject to certain conditions:

• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Punjab RTO is mandatory to transfer a fancy number from one vehicle to another within the state.
• Inter-state transfers are generally not permitted except within Punjab and must be RTO-authorised.
• Transfer fees vary with 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 in Punjab.

Conclusion

Thanks to the online application process via the Parivahan portal, getting a fancy number plate in Punjab is hassle-free. You just need to understand the state RTO’s procedures, check for availability, follow the application procedure, and place your bids within the allotted timeframe.  

Post-auction procedures need to be followed stringently in order to gain your fancy number plate or the refund (in case you lose the auction), avoiding any additional hassles. 

FAQs about Getting a Fancy Number Plate in Punjab