Craze for fancy number plates is increasing in Bihar, more than 37 thousand applications in 5 years

These days, there is a lot of craze for fancy and unique number plates among the people in Bihar. People are spending lakhs of rupees to get the lucky number, date of birth or number of their choice for their car. Here, along with the luxury car, the car number has also become a status symbol. Statistics from the Transport Department show that this hobby is increasing every year.

In Bihar, from the year 2021 to July 2026, more than 37 thousand vehicle owners have applied for fancy number plates. This craze is most visible in districts like Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Rohtas.

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Its demand is increasing every year

According to the data received from the Transport Department, in the year 2021, 3013 vehicle owners across Bihar had applied for the preferred number. That year the department had earned more than Rs 6 crore from fancy numbers. Then 1400 people in Patna, 233 in Gaya, 217 in Muzaffarpur and 154 in Purnia had got fancy numbers installed. In 2022, this number increased to 4648 and the department’s earnings crossed Rs 9 crore. Then about 2200 people in Patna and 335 people in Gaya spent money for fancy numbers.

The trend intensified further in 2023 and about 6800 vehicles had fancy number plates. Due to this the department got revenue of more than Rs 12 crore. In 2024, preferred numbers were fitted to 7789 vehicles and the department’s income was more than Rs 13 crore. In Patna alone 3100 people and in Muzaffarpur 690 people applied for fancy numbers.

This figure will reach 8936 in 2025. More than 3500 vehicle owners in Patna, 557 in Gaya and 549 in Rohtas got fancy numbers installed. From January till now in 2026, more than 6500 vehicles have been fitted with fancy number plates. More than Rs 10 crore has been earned from this so far. This year too, Patna is at the forefront where more than 2700 people, 535 from Gaya and 450 from Muzaffarpur have taken the preferred number.

Spending lakhs for fancy number plate

According to Transport Secretary Raj Kumar, the increasing popularity of fancy number plates reflects the change in vehicle culture in Bihar. People now do not consider the car as just a means of travel, but are looking at it by associating it with their identity and status. So they are ready to pay extra money to get the number of their choice. He says that for allotment of fancy numbers, arrangements have been made for e-auction under Rule 64 of Bihar Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules 1992. This has made the process completely transparent. Separate fees are prescribed for non-transport i.e. private vehicles and transport vehicles.

Premium numbers like 0001, 0003, 0005, 0007 and 0009 are in highest demand. For these numbers, a fee of Rs 1 lakh has to be paid for non-transport vehicles and Rs 35,000 for transport vehicles. Apart from this, numbers like 1100, 1212, 2525, 9999 are also quite popular. People are also spending a good amount of money to get these.

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Craze was most visible in Patna

Its maximum craze is being seen in Patna. Every year maximum applications come from Patna district. After this comes Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Rohtas. Transport Department officials believe that due to increase in purchasing power of people in urban areas and increase in the number of luxury vehicles, the demand for fancy numbers has also increased. Many businessmen and youth want to get their date of birth or lucky number installed in their vehicle. He believes that this makes the car look different and attracts people’s attention.

Apart from this, some people consider it auspicious and some are using it to create their identity. The government is also getting huge revenue from fancy number plates. In the last five years, more than Rs 50 crore has been earned from this item. The Transport Department has further simplified the process of e-auction so that people can bid online sitting at home.

Craze for fancy numbers increased among youth

The craze for fancy numbers is most visible among the youth. In Patna and other big cities, college students and new businessmen prefer to get special numbers for their bikes and cars. Apart from this, many times there is a competition among friends regarding the number as to whose number is the most different and expensive. The department says that this trend of fancy numbers will increase further in the coming years. Keeping this in mind, the department is also preparing to issue new series numbers and further improve the process of e-auction.