Special number plates to be sold at charity auction

Abu Dhabi: A first-of-a-kind charity auction to sell car plates with special numbers will take place at Emirates Palace next month, according to Abu Dhabi Police.

The auction, titled 'A Special Number for A Special Cause' is organised by the Abu Dhabi Traffic Department at the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police in cooperation with The Emirates Auctions Company. The auction will be held on May 12 at 10am.

The money collected from the auction will go to the newly-founded fund for road accident victims, in addition to supporting people with special needs, according to a police official.

Forty-one new car plate numbers will be sold at the auction. "The new series-5 plate numbers introduced to the people will include one plate number carrying the number 5, in addition to six two-digit plate numbers (12, 15, 45, 55, 76 and 88)," explained Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Al Kitbi, Director of Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department at Abu Dhabi Police.

The auction will also include 10 three-digit numbers, 12 four-digit and 12 five-digit numbers, added Al Kitbi.

"The auction is open to everyone. The buyer of the number will have a registration card and the number will be his/hers forever," said Lt Col Abdul Rahman Al Kamali, Director of the Privatisation and Financial Investments Department at Abu Dhabi Police.

Process: Registration for bidding will begin a week earlier

• All the car plates will have a nominal value which the Traffic Department will announce soon. The car plate will then go to the highest bidder.
• Registration for the auction will open one week before the auction starts at Emirates Palace. People who want to participate in the auction will pay an insurance fee between Dh1,000 to Dh5,000. The fee can be collected if the buyer cannot buy the number.
• People who just want to come and see the auction will have to pay a Dh50 entrance fee.

- M.S.