A '0001' vehicle number plate in Maharashtra now costs ₹6L!
The Maharashtra government has announced a significant increase in the fees for VIP vehicle numbers, as per a recent notification from the state transport department. The cost of the highly sought-after '0001' number plate for four-wheelers has been hiked to ₹6 lakh in high-demand areas such as Mumbai, and Pune. This marks the first revision of these fees since April 2013.
Out-of-series VIP number plates can cost ₹18 lakh
The revised fees have also affected the costs of out-of-series VIP number plates, which can now reach up to ₹18 lakh in major cities like Pune and Mumbai. This new fee is comparable to the cost of several mid-segment cars. The 'three-time basic fees' for four-wheelers and vehicles with more wheels have been set at ₹15 lakh, if the '0001' number is unavailable in the current series for that particular type of vehicle.
Government allows transfer of VIP numbers
In a significant policy change, the Maharashtra government has now permitted the transfer of VIP numbers to immediate family members. This includes spouses, sons, and daughters. Previously, such transfers were not allowed. The state has identified 240 VIP numbers in each registration series that are subject to these new fees.
Fee hike extends to other popular numbers
The fee increase also extends to other popular numbers. For 16 sought-after numbers, the revised fee is ₹1 lakh for four-wheelers and ₹25,000 for two-wheelers. For an extra set of 49 numbers, the fee has been hiked to ₹70,000 for four-wheelers and ₹15,000 for two- and three-wheelers. Another set of 189 registration numbers like 0011, 0022, etc., now have new fees of ₹25,000 for four-wheelers and ₹6,000 for two or more wheeled vehicles.
Maharashtra extends period for vehicle production with reserved number
In a move that benefits vehicle owners, the Maharashtra government has extended the period for furnishing a car with a reserved number from 30 days to six months. Meanwhile, there will be no reservation of VIP numbers for government vehicles. Fee payment exemptions can be granted through special orders, allowing allotment from any existing series.
