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Maharashtra is known for its diverse culture and fast-paced lifestyle. It is also a home for vehicle owners seeking to customise their vehicles. Getting a fancy number plate is one way to make your car or bike stand out. 

Reserving a fancy number in Maharashtra is easy because of the state's convenient online reservation system. The RTO has made an app facility where an applicant can apply for a specific number using a given fillable application form.

If you’re still wondering about the ins and outs of a fancy number in Maharashtra, this article will explain them step by step.

A fancy number could be something like 8888, 0022, or even your birth date—any number you feel connected to, whether for personal reasons or beliefs like astrology. You'll need to pay a fee if you want your vehicle to have a specific "fancy" number. 

According to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, all vehicles must be registered with an official number plate, which must be displayed on both the front and back of the vehicle, regardless of whether you have a fancy number or not. In Maharashtra, as elsewhere, this rule applies to everyone.

In Maharashtra, owning a vehicle with a unique, personalised number plate has become a trend. Many people are opting for fancy numbers, whether for style, superstition, or simply standing out. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you secure a fancy number for your car or bike in Maharashtra:

• Step 1: Visit the official Ministry of Road Transport and Highway RTO website or head to your local RTO office to check the availability of the fancy number.
• Step 2: Pick the desired VIP number from the list of numbers you would like to apply for to register the vehicle.
• Step 3: Go to the RTO and apply for your desired VIP number, requesting the number you have chosen. You may also be required to complete Form 20 for vehicle registration.
• Step 4: Besides the regular registration fees, also pay the additional charges for the chosen VIP number at the time of registration. 
• Step 5: The RTO will work on your application, and once completed, the team will give your vehicle its requested fancy number.

It's essential to confirm the availability of your desired fancy number before applying for it in Maharashtra. Follow these steps to do so:

• Step 1: Go to the official Vahan Parivahan website (Government of India).
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Search by number’ option.

Fancy numbers can only be booked online. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Step 1: Go to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH) website or the Parivahan Sewa website.

• Step 2: From the ‘Online Services’ drop-down menu, select the Fancy Number Booking option.

• Step 3: Log in with your user ID and password.

Booking a fancy number plate offline in Maharashtra involves visiting the Regional Transport Office(RTO). Here are the steps that you need to follow:

• Step 1: Go to the closest Regional Transport Office (RTO) where you intend to apply for your vehicle registration.
• Step 2: Ask for ‘Form 20 – Application for fancy number’ and fill that out. 
• Step 3: Ask the RTO officer about the availability of your preferred number from the list of numbers available for allocation. If the number has more than one request, bidding is required to allocate it. 
• Step 4: You shall include the necessary information and submit the filled-out form to the RTO with an ID in its support and vehicle specification with its documents.
• Step 5: After the confirmation of the fancy number, the applicant has to pay the registration fee with any extra costs for the number.
• Step 6: After processing, the RTO will confirm your fancy number and provide an allotment letter. You can then proceed to get your number plate made.

For applying a fancy number plate in Maharashtra, these are the important points that you need to know: 

1. The payment should be made immediately after successfully bidding for the preferred registration number.
2. If you win the bid but do not get the above number, you may ask for a refund.
3. You must follow the rules outlined in the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, even if you have a fancy number plate installed.
4. To check the availability of your preferred number plate, you can visit the Parivahan website or your local RTO in Maharashtra.
5. An HSRP (High-Security Registration Plate) is mandatory for all vehicles with a fancy number.
6. When you get a special number, you should pay the necessary amounts to the cash counter either the same day or the next day, no later than 2:30 p.m.
7. If multiple people apply for the same registration number, it will be issued through an auction.
8. A fancy number can be reserved for a period not exceeding 30 days, after which it must be allocated in the vehicle's registration.
9. The request for additional registration of a unique vehicle should be made on plain paper to the clerk for the Non-Transport series at the respective RTO.

To participate in the e-auction process for fancy number plate registration, follow these steps: 

• Step 1: Register on the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Website for your Unique Acknowledgement Number (UAN). 
• Step 2: Pay the non-refundable registration fee and the reserve price for the fancy registration number. After completing the payment, select the desired registration number to block it for yourself.
• Step 3: Block and select the available registration number as you wish. 
• Step 4: The e–auction registration window is usually open for three days, after which there is a two-day bidding phase.
• Step 5: The bids can be increased in increments of ₹10,000 for categories 1 to 4 and in multiples of ₹1,000 for category 5.
• Step 6: Winning bidders will receive notifications through SMS and email.
• Step 7: Within five days after the announcement of the auction result, pay the last amount of the remaining balance online.
• Step 8: After the deposit is submitted, an allotment letter will be issued. This letter is good for vehicle registration within 90 days.

Note: The bidding process takes five days to complete. The first bidding is on the fourth day, and the last bidding is on the fifth day, after which the winner will be communicated.

Abiding by the laws of the Maharashtra transport department is crucial to avoid penalties for having fancy numbers. So, getting a fancy number plate is very easy with the help of an e-auction system. 

This article offers all the facts necessary for car owners to make a smart choice about fancy number plates in Maharashtra.