Dubai's latest car plate auction features bids up to Dh140,000 - here’s how to join

Dubai: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is offering the public an exclusive opportunity to acquire premium licence plates for private, vintage vehicles, and motorcycles. The auction, was announced on February 8, is now live and will run until February 17. A total of 300 unique two, three, four, and five-digit plates are available in the 78th e-auction, with RTA highlighting this as a rare chance for motorists to own distinctive number plates that will stand out on the road.

Requirements

To participate in the auction, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have an RTA online account (if you don't, register on the website using your UAE Pass, and provide your full name, nationality, mobile number, and email address).

• Own a vehicle registered in Dubai or hold a Dubai-issued driving licence.

• A deposit of Dh5,000 is required for participation. This deposit can be made as follows:

  • By cheque: Dh5,000 and Dh120 participation fee at customer happiness centres (Umm Ramool, Al Barsha, and Deira).

  • By credit card: Dh5,000 and Dh120 participation fee through the auction website.

Types of number plates on offer

Plates are available at face values ranging from Dh1,000 to Dh140,000 for three-digit plates. A full list of available plates can be found on the RTA website: https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/auction/online-auction-78. The available categories include:

• Private (A-B-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z)

• Classic

• Motorcycle 2

A total of 350 plates (2 digits, 3 digits, 4 digits, and 5 digits) are up for auction.

How to register

Once you have created an RTA online account and paid the deposit, you can start participating in the auction:

• Register for the auction via the RTA website www.rta.ae or the RTA Dubai app by selecting the ‘Plates’ section under Services and subscribing to the auction.

• Log in to your RTA account through the website and select ‘Auction’ on your services dashboard.

• Enter your licence (traffic file number) or plate number details, then click "Request for Special Number Plate" and choose "Electronic Auction" to begin the bidding process.

• If your bid is successful, payment must be made within 10 days after the auction closes. You can pay through Service Provider Centres (cash or credit card), RTA Customer Happiness Centres (cash up to Dh50,000, manager's cheque or credit card for amounts above Dh50,000), or via the RTA website (credit card).

Failure to pay the bid amount within 10 days will result in being added to the ‘uncommitted’ list. Also a, a five per cent VAT will be applied to all sold number plates.