Maharashtra Government Hikes VIP Number Plate Fees for Vehicles

The Maharashtra government has raised the fees for VIP vehicle numbers, like '0001', especially in high-demand areas such as Mumbai and Pune. The fees for four-wheelers will now range from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 18 lakh. This fee revision is expected to increase revenue for the state transport department.

The Maharashtra government has significantly increased the fees for VIP vehicle numbers, commonly known as 'choice numbers' or 'vanity plates.' The most coveted '0001' number will now cost Rs 6 lakh in high-demand cities like Mumbai and Pune, up from Rs 4 lakh.

The revised fees mean that acquiring an out-of-series VIP number could cost up to Rs 18 lakh, putting it on par with the price of mid-segment cars. This hike is part of a broader move to update the charges for various choice numbers after nearly a decade.

The decision, as per the August 30 notification from the transport department, impacts high-value number plates which are often preferred by top businessmen, politicians, celebrities, and high net-worth individuals. The state government aims to generate additional revenue from this fee revision, following remarkable earnings of Rs 139.2 crore from VIP number registrations in the 2017-18 financial year.