Maharashtra Govt Hikes Fees for VIP Vehicle Numbers; Top ‘0001’ Number to Cost ₹ 6 Lakh

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 2nd Sept. The Maharashtra government has significantly increased the fees for “choice numbers,” also known as VIP numbers, for new vehicles. The most sought-after number, ‘0001,’ will now cost ₹ 6 lakh for four-wheelers in high-demand areas such as Mumbai, Pune, and other major cities. This marks a substantial increase from the previous fee of ₹ 4 lakh.

According to the transport department’s notification dated August 30, the fee for the coveted ‘0001’ number will rise to ₹ 5 lakh for four-wheelers in general, up from ₹ 3 lakh. For two- and three-wheelers, the fee will double to ₹ 1 lakh from the current ₹ 50,000. In high-demand areas like Mumbai, Pune, and other cities, the fee for ‘0001’ for four-wheelers will reach ₹ 6 lakh.

Interestingly, if the ‘0001’ number is not available in the current series, and an out-of-series number is requested, the cost can soar up to ₹ 18 lakh in cities like Mumbai and Pune, which is comparable to the price of many mid-segment cars. Previously, such out-of-series numbers cost ₹ 12 lakh.

The fee revision also impacts other popular VIP numbers, such as 0009, 0099, 0999, 9999, and 0786. The new fee for these numbers is ₹ 2.5 lakh for four-wheelers, up from ₹ 1.5 lakh, and ₹ 50,000 for two- and three-wheelers, up from ₹ 20,000.

For 16 other sought-after numbers, the fee has been increased to ₹ 1 lakh for four-wheelers, up from ₹ 70,000, and to ₹ 25,000 for two-wheelers, up from ₹ 15,000. Additionally, for 49 more numbers, the fee has been raised to ₹ 70,000 for four-wheelers, up from ₹ 50,000, and to ₹ 15,000 for two- and three-wheelers.

For another set of 189 registration numbers, such as 0011, 0022, 0088, and others, the revised fees are ₹ 25,000 for four-wheelers and ₹ 6,000 for two- and three-wheelers.

The government has also extended the period for vehicle owners to produce a vehicle with a reserved number from 30 days to six months, providing more flexibility for owners.

The fee hike is expected to generate significant additional revenue for the state transport department, which previously reported earnings of ₹ 139.20 crore from registration number issuances in 1,83,794 cases during the 2017-18 financial year.

Moreover, while VIP numbers will not be reserved for government vehicles, exemptions from the payment of fees can be granted through special orders, allowing for allotment from any existing series. The move to revise fees comes as part of the first update since the last fee revision on April 20, 2013, following a draft notification issued on September 16, 2022.

This hike in VIP number fees reflects the high demand among affluent individuals, including top businessmen, politicians, and celebrities, who prefer such exclusive numbers for their luxury vehicles.