You can legally buy a VIP or fancy registration number in India, but only the number. The plate itself has no room for style. In most states, numbers such as 0001 go through a Parivahan e-auction or a state fee schedule, while other “choice” numbers are sold at a fixed fee. Prices run from about Rs 15,000 for a choice number in Bihar’s list to over Rs 30 lakh at auction in Chandigarh. Whatever you pay, the car must wear a standard high-security plate. Stylised fonts, names and logos are not allowed, and the 1 April 2019 HSRP rule is now being enforced hard.
Fancy, VIP and choice numbers: what’s the difference?
People use these words loosely, but state rules usually split them into two groups.
- Fancy or VIP numbers are the sought-after ones: 0001, 0007, 0009, 9999 and the like. In Bihar’s rules, for example, these go only through online auction.
- Choice numbers are numbers you pick from those available, for a set fee, usually first come, first served.
Bihar’s published 2024 instructions show the structure well, and most states work on similar lines even though the prices differ.
| Bihar category | Example numbers | Base price, private car |
| Category 1 | 0001, 0003 | Rs 1,00,000 |
| Category 2 | 0002, 0022, 1111 | Rs 75,000 |
| Category 3 | 1100, 2001 | Rs 50,000 |
| Category 4 | 0120, 1010 | Rs 25,000 |
| Category 5 | Choice numbers | Rs 15,000 |
How much does a VIP number cost in India?
The base price is only where it starts. Here’s what the published numbers look like.
| Place | Number | Price | Date |
| Maharashtra, high-demand districts | 0001 | Rs 6 lakh fee | 2024 |
| Maharashtra, rest of state | 0001 | Rs 5 lakh fee | 2024 |
| Maharashtra, 0001 from a new series | 0001 | Three times the fee, Rs 15 lakh to Rs 18 lakh | 2024 |
| Chandigarh | CH01-DA-0001 | Rs 36.43 lakh at auction | August 2025 |
| Chandigarh | CH01-DC-0001 | Rs 31.35 lakh at auction, from a Rs 50,000 base | December 2025 |
| Chandigarh | CH01-DC-0009 | Rs 20.72 lakh at auction | December 2025 |
| Noida | UP16FH-0001 | Rs 27.5 lakh at auction | December 2025 |
Maharashtra’s high-demand list covers Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Raigad, Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Kolhapur and Nashik, Autocar Professional reported.
Look at Chandigarh’s numbers again. A Rs 50,000 base turned into Rs 31.35 lakh, which is more than the price of many premium SUVs. That’s the real lesson on budgeting: in an auction state, the base price tells you almost nothing about the final bid.
How to book a fancy number online
The national system runs through vahan.parivahan.gov.in/fancy in the states that use it. Bihar’s steps give a fair picture, though your state may differ.
- Pick the right category. Private cars go under Non-Transport.
- Register for the auction. Bihar charges Rs 1,000 per number, and it isn’t refundable.
- Bid in the window. Bids rise in multiples of Rs 1,000. A late bid can extend bidding for that number by a short period.
- Pay within seven days if you win. Miss it and the allotment is cancelled.
- Register the car in time. Bihar allows 90 days for a fancy number and 30 days for a choice number. Otherwise, you lose the number and the money.
The last step is the trap for luxury buyers. Book early and an imported or built-to-order car might not arrive inside your window. Check your delivery date with the dealer in writing before you bid. Tell your dealer about the number upfront too, because the car can’t be registered without it.
Can you keep a VIP number when you change cars?
Don’t assume so. Bihar’s rules make an auctioned number non-transferable and tied to the winner’s own vehicle. Other states have their own retention rules, so ask your RTO before you pay big money with your next car in mind. We couldn’t find one national rule on this.
If you’re choosing between BH series and a fancy number, the choice is simple. BH numbers are generated at random, and Autocar India notes you can’t pick one. Our BH series comparison covers that decision.
What the law says about the plate itself
Paying Rs 30 lakh for 0001 doesn’t get you a nicer plate. Here’s what applies.
- HSRP is compulsory. New vehicles have needed high-security plates since 2019, and the requirement has since been extended to older ones. An HSRP is an aluminium plate with a chromium hologram, tamper-proof locks and a laser-etched serial number.
- No names or stylised lettering. Maharashtra’s 2025 drive targeted plates styled to read “Kaka”, “Mama” and “Dada”. It cited Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and a Rs 1,000 fine.
- Enforcement goes beyond the fine. In Maharashtra, where the deadline passed on 30 June 2026, RTO services such as ownership transfer and address changes may be blocked for vehicles without an HSRP.
The fine won’t trouble a luxury car owner. Being unable to transfer the car when you sell it might. Our view is simple: leave the plate exactly as the authorised vendor fitted it, and don’t let a detailer “upgrade” it. The same logic runs through our guide on luxury car modification law.
Is a VIP number worth paying for?
As a personal choice, sure, if you know what you’re paying for. As an investment, we wouldn’t count on it. If your state ties a number to the vehicle or the winner, it may not move with you, and we found no reliable data showing a fancy number adds its price to a car’s resale value.
Our rule of thumb: spend on a choice number you like for tens of thousands, not an auction fight. If you do want 0001, set a hard ceiling before bidding opens. On a pre-owned car, ask whether the number stays with it, and confirm the plate is a proper HSRP. You can do that before you buy any car from Motozite’s pre-owned listings, with the seller and your RTO. And if you’re budgeting a new car, add the number’s cost to the rest of the bill in our on-road price calculator.
FAQ: VIP and fancy car numbers in India
How can I get a VIP number for my car in India?
Check your state’s process on the Parivahan fancy number portal or with your RTO. Numbers such as 0001 usually go through an e-auction or a fixed state fee, and choice numbers through a smaller fee. You then link the number to your car’s registration within your state’s time limit.
How much does a 0001 number cost in India?
It depends heavily on the state. Maharashtra sets a Rs 5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh fee, and three times that on a new series. At auction, Chandigarh’s 0001 sold for Rs 31.35 lakh in December 2025, and Noida’s for Rs 27.5 lakh that same month.
Are fancy number plates legal in India?
Fancy numbers bought through the official process are legal. Fancy plates aren’t. The plate must be a standard high-security registration plate, so stylised fonts, names and logos can attract a Rs 1,000 fine under Rule 50, going by Maharashtra’s enforcement.
Can I transfer my VIP number to a new car?
It depends on the state. Bihar’s rules say an auctioned number is non-transferable and can only be used for the winner’s own vehicle. Check your own state’s retention rule with your RTO before you pay, especially for an expensive number.
Can I choose a VIP number with BH series registration?
No. BH series numbers are generated at random by the portal, so you can’t choose one. If a specific number matters to you, you’ll need a regular state registration instead.
What happens if I don’t register the car after winning a number?
You can lose both the number and the money. In Bihar, the car must be registered within 90 days of a fancy-number auction or the amount is forfeited, and within 30 days for a choice number. Confirm the delivery date before you bid.
