The Maharashtra government has significantly raised fees for ‘choice numbers’ or VIP numbers on new vehicles within the state. This change, announced in a notification dated August 30th, impacts those seeking coveted number plates like ‘0001’ for their four-wheelers.
The most dramatic increases are in high-demand areas like Mumbai, Pune, and other major metros. In these cities, securing the ‘0001’ number plate for a four-wheeler will now cost a hefty ₹ 6 lakh. Furthermore, the new fees have propelled out-of-series VIP number plates to as much as ₹ 18 lakh, a price that could rival the cost of some new cars, particularly in major cities like Mumbai and Pune.
This decision is likely to impact high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), prominent businessmen, politicians, and celebrities who traditionally opt for VIP numbers to distinguish their expensive cars.
It is noteworthy that this marks the first revision in these fees since April 2013. The dramatic increase in fees reflects the growing demand for these numbers, as well as the state government’s potential effort to generate more revenue.
