How to apply for a custom or VIP number for your car or bike

Getting a fancy registration number for your vehicle no longer requires navigating red tape or relying on middlemen. Through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ official Parivahan portal, vehicle owners in India can now participate in online e-auctions or secure distinctive digits on a first-come, first-served basis. 

If you want a high-profile VVIP number (such as 0001 or 0007), note that these are available exclusively through an e-auction. However, if you prefer a unique number of your choice on a first-come, first-served basis, you can secure it by paying a base reserve price on the government’s official fancy plate portal. Fancy number availability varies depending on the RTO and locality you reside in.

Below is a step-by-step procedure of how you can register and pay for a fancy number on your car or bike's license plate.

Step 1: Open your web browser and go to the official fancy numbers portal: [https://fancy.parivahan.gov.in/]

Step 2: At the bottom-right of the page, click Register Now to create a new profile.

Step 3: Select your state, enter your name and email address, verify your phone number (linked to your official ID), enter the CAPTCHA, and click Sign Up. You will receive a User ID and Password via SMS.

Step 4: Log in using these credentials. You will be prompted to change your password upon your first login.

Step 5: Read the guidelines for online fancy number booking displayed on your dashboard. You will need to select your specific vehicle category based on the vehicle you own.

Step 6: Click on Number Selection from the top menu bar. Choose your RTO, vehicle type, category, Cross Vehicle Category option, Cross Series Option, and Vehicle Series.

Under Cross Vehicle Category, you can choose a number from the current active series designated for your vehicle type, or pick a number from a series allocated to a different category or an upcoming series.

Step 7: Browse the list of available numbers or check the availability of your preferred number. Each number carries a reserve price ranging from a few thousand rupees to several lakhs, depending on the number and the RTO selected. You can also check real-time availability by clicking on Registration Number Status.

Step 8: Select your preferred number by checking the box next to it and click Continue to Register.

Step 9: Fill out the applicant details form, including Applicant Name, Vehicle Ownership, Relationship Type, Address, City, District, Address Proof details, and the declaration. Click Submit once complete.

Step 10: Proceed to pay the mandatory reservation fee.

Single Applicant: If you are the only person who selected that number, the system will directly assign it to you without bidding.

Multiple Applicants: If someone else chooses the same number during the open window, the portal moves it to an E-Auction.

You must log in during the designated bidding window (typically 2 days) to place your bids. If you win, you must pay the remaining balance online within the specified timeframe (usually 5 days).

Step 11: Once the number is confirmed and allocated (either directly or after post-auction balance payment), log in to download your Allotment Letter / Confirmation Receipt. At the same time, you will also receive a payment confirmation receipt via SMS.

Step 12: Share your printed Allotment Letter, payment receipt, and unique acknowledgment details with your vehicle dealership. The dealer will link the allotted number to your vehicle's engine and chassis numbers while processing the vehicle registration and paying the road tax.

Important Notes:

Strict Validity: Allotment letters have a strict validity window (usually 30 to 90 days, depending on the state/RTO). Ensure your dealer completes the registration within this timeframe to avoid forfeiting the number.

Complete Payment Immediately: Do not close the window after selecting your number without completing the payment. The number will not be held or reserved until payment is confirmed, making it available to other applicants.

Jurisdiction Match: Ensure your residential address matches your ID proof and falls strictly within the selected RTO's jurisdiction.

Additionally, ensure that your license plate text complies with the required format. Custom designs or fonts are against the law.