The Sindh Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has unveiled new charges for acquiring exclusive or “vanity” vehicle registration numbers, with fees reaching up to Rs20 million.
Vehicle owners seeking specific numbers can now secure them by paying the prescribed rates, which vary depending on the number’s popularity. Plates like 786 and 110 will cost Rs20 million each, while three-digit numbers from 111 to 999 are set at Rs10 million.
Numbers from 100 to 900, as well as plates between 001 and 009, carry a fee of Rs5 million. All other choice numbers can be obtained for Rs3 million.
The announcement comes alongside the enforcement of the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2024 on Monday, introducing CNIC-linked number plates throughout the province.
This new system allows vehicle owners to retain ownership of their registration numbers linked to their CNIC, making it possible to transfer the plate to another vehicle after selling the original one.
The amendment also replaces the old categories of commercial and private vehicles with two new classifications: motorcycles and rickshaws, and all types of four-wheel vehicles. No extra fee will be charged for CNIC-based number plates, while Ajrak-themed plates will be treated as transfer plates.
Under the new rules, a registration mark is defined as a personalised plate, number, or any identifying document containing alphanumeric characters assigned to a vehicle owner. Vehicle Identification Numbers will be based on each vehicle’s chassis number.
Registration marks will be issued during registration and remain with the owner even after selling the vehicle. Individuals with multiple vehicles will receive separate personalised numbers, and deactivated marks can be retained for up to one year.
Existing number plates will now be recognised as personalised plates in the name of the current owner. CNIC records will be updated in real time, and no fee will be charged for transferring plates, although standard ownership transfer fees will still apply where relevant.
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