Which Car Number Plate is the Costliest in India? The 'HR88B8888' Bid Explained

We often hear about people spending fortunes on luxury cars, but a recent auction in Haryana has shifted the spotlight to the license plate itself. In a record-breaking event, a specific car registration number has been sold for a staggering Rs 1.17 crore.

This massive bid has officially made ‘HR88B8888’ the costliest number plate to be sold in an auction in India.

Why is the HR 88 B 8888 Number so Special?

At first glance, it might look like just another VIP number, but the appeal lies in the visual pattern. The number plate is ‘HR88B8888’. Here is how it breaks down:

• HR: This stands for the state code of Haryana.
• 88: This represents the specific RTO code for Kundli in the Sonipat district.
• B: This is the vehicle series code.

• 8888: This is the unique four-digit sequence assigned to the car.

   

The reason this combination became so desirable is purely visual. Since the uppercase letter 'B' closely resembles the number '8', the entire plate looks like a continuous string of eights. This unique look attracted 45 different applicants who wanted to claim it for their vehicle.

The Bidding War for The Costliest Number Plate in India

The auction was held entirely online through the official government portal. While the final price was over a crore, the bidding actually started at a base price of Rs 50,000.

The competition was intense. By 12 pm on the final day, the price had already climbed to Rs 88 lakh. As the clock ticked towards the 5 pm deadline on Wednesday, the bids kept increasing until settling at the final Rs 1.17 crore figure.

Who is the Owner of the Costliest Number Plate in India?

The winning bidder is Sudhir Kumar, a businessman from Hisar, Haryana. He is deeply involved in the transport sector and also runs a software company currently building a mobile app for commercial logistics.

Interestingly, Sudhir admitted he did not go into the auction with a strategy or a fixed budget. He simply liked the number. He kept bidding as the price climbed, not expecting it to turn into a nationwide headline.

Which Car Will Wear the 1.17 Crore Haryana Number Plate?

Usually, people buy these VIP plates for a shiny new Mercedes or a high-end SUV they just ordered. But Sudhir Kumar is different. He revealed that he hasn't actually decided which car will wear this Rs 1.17 crore tag.

For now, the plate is technically his, but the deal isn't fully closed. He has paid the initial security deposit and registration fees. To officially own the number, he has to deposit the remaining balance within five days. If he clears that payment, he will have 90 days to buy a car and assign this number to it.

Which is the Second Costliest Number Plate in India?

To understand how high this price is, we can look at other recent high-value plates. Just last week, the number 'HR22W2222' was the top mark, fetching Rs 37.91 lakh.

Even in the luxury market of Kerala, prices have not reached this level. Earlier this year, a tech billionaire there bought the "0007" James Bond-style plate for his Lamborghini for about Rs 45.99 lakh, making it officially the second costliest number plate in India currently. However, the Haryana bid has more than doubled that amount.

Here are some other notable Indian  Number Plate Records before this Haryana auction of the costliest number plate:

The Porsche 0001: Down in Kerala, a pharmacy businessman named K.S. Balagopal made news when he paid Rs 31 lakh just for the registration number 'KL 01 CK 1'. He bought this special number for his Miami Blue Porsche 718 Boxster.
 

The Land Cruiser Record: In Chandigarh, Jagjit Singh paid a hefty Rs 17 lakh to secure the number 'CH 01 AN 0001'. This premium number went onto his Toyota Land Cruiser LC200.
 

A Whole Different League: Global Records
 

If you think Indian prices are wild, the international market, especially in the UAE, is on a different planet.

• The World Record: In 2023, a number plate simply reading "P7" was sold in Dubai for a world-record 55 million dirhams (that is roughly Rs 122 crore).
• The Original "Number 1": Back in 2008, a businessman in Abu Dhabi set a long-standing record by paying 52.2 million dirhams (approx. Rs 116 crore) for the number plate "1".

How the Fancy Number Plate Application Process Works

For those interested in fancy number plate price in India, and how these auctions happen, the Haryana government holds them weekly for fancy numbers. The cycle usually opens for applications between Friday evening and Monday morning.
 

If you ever want to try your luck for a fancy number, here is the simplified process:
 

1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official Parivahan website and select "Fancy Number Booking".
2. Register: You will need to log in or sign up as a new user.
3. Select a Number: Choose your preferred number from the available list.
4. Pay the Fees: Complete the registration form and pay the necessary fees through the gateway.
5. The Result: If you win the bid, you pay the balance and download your allotment letter, which is valid for 90 days.
    

This recent sale proves that for some auto enthusiasts, the identity of the car is just as valuable as the machine itself.