The Maharashtra government has increased fees for “choice numbers,” also known as VIP numbers, for new vehicles. The cost for the highly desired ‘0001’ number will now be ₹6 lakh in high-demand areas such as Mumbai, Pune, and other cities.

The new fees mean that an out-of-series VIP number could cost up to ₹18 lakh in major cities like Mumbai and Pune, which is similar to the price of a mid-range new car.

Maharashtra Increases VIP Number Fees

According to a transport department notification from August 30, the fee for the highly sought-after ‘0001’ number will rise to ₹5 lakh for four-wheelers, up from ₹3 lakh. For two and three-wheelers, the fee will increase to ₹1 lakh, doubling from the current ₹50,000.

In high-demand areas like Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Raigad, Aurangabad, Nashik, Kolhapur, and other nearby cities, the fee for the ‘0001’ VIP number will be ₹6 lakh, up from ₹4 lakh for vehicles with four or more wheels.

VIP numbers are popular among wealthy individuals, top businesspeople, politicians, and celebrities who want them for their expensive cars.

The updated fees will be ₹15 lakh for four-wheelers and vehicles with more wheels, and ₹3 lakh for two- and three-wheelers, if the ‘0001’ number is not available in the current series and must be selected from another series, according to the notification.

With these changes, an out-of-series VIP number could cost up to ₹18 lakh in major cities like Mumbai and Pune, which is similar to the price of several mid-range cars. Previously, the fee was ₹12 lakh, which companies like Reliance Industries paid for out-of-series numbers in recent years.

Maharashtra Updates VIP Number Fees And Transfer Rules

The state government has now allowed VIP numbers to be transferred to immediate family members, such as spouses, sons, and daughters, unlike before when such transfers were not permitted.

This fee change, based on a draft notification from September 16, 2022, is the first update since the last fee revision on April 20, 2013.

Maharashtra has listed 240 VIP numbers in each registration series, including notable ones like 0009, 0099, 0999, 9999, and 0786. The fees for these numbers have increased to ₹2.5 lakh from ₹1.5 lakh for four-wheelers and higher vehicles, and to ₹50,000 from ₹20,000 for two- and three-wheelers.

The fees for other popular numbers have also risen. For 16 sought-after numbers, the new fee is ₹1 lakh for four-wheelers, up from ₹70,000, and ₹25,000 for two-wheelers, up from ₹15,000. 49 additional numbers, the fee has increased to ₹70,000 from ₹50,000 for four-wheelers and ₹15,000 for two- and three-wheelers.

For another group of 189 registration numbers like 0011, 0022, 0088, 0200, 0202, 4242, 5656, and 7374, the fees are now ₹25,000 for four-wheelers and ₹6,000 for two-wheelers and similar vehicles.

To benefit vehicle owners, the government has extended the time to produce a vehicle with a reserved number from 30 days to six months. VIP numbers will not be reserved for government vehicles, but special orders can allow for fee exemptions and allotments from any existing series.

The fee increase is expected to boost revenue for the state transport department, which earned ₹139.20 crore from registration numbers in the 2017-18 financial year.