Have you ever wondered what the deal is with number plates is in the UAE? While you’re stuck in your Dubai or Abu Dhabi traffic, you may from time to time notice an exotic car with an even more exotic three, two or even one-number number plate pull up. So what exactly is the system with number plates in the UAE?
The UAE has an interesting little quirk compared to other countries, number plates are used as status symbols. A satisfyingly uniform set of numbers on your plate, or just a lack of numbers can act essentially as a bio-metric swipe card into any opulent establishment.
It’s a simple system, fewer numbers equals more cash in your bank account. A four or five digit plate isn’t going to turn many heads or open many doors. It’s three and below where people trip over themselves to do things for you.
Three-digit plates are probably what the CEO of your company sports, they’re pricey, really pricey, but any rich folk in Dubai or Abu Dhabi could grab one. These plates normally clock in at five or six figures. A G-code ‘150’ Dubai plate is currently on sale at Numbers.ae for AED 380,000. Another on the site is the unknown code Dubai plate ‘100’, going for a whopping AED 1,550,000.
Down to two-digit plates and it gets serious. Roll around with a ‘two-er’ on your car and people ‘WILL’ know you are someone important. These plates can go for several million dirhams. How about AED 3,150,000 for a ’99’ plate as an example? That’s roughly the same price as a Lamborghini Aventador, Aston Martin DB11 and a Ferarri California ‘COMBINED’.
A number plate auction in the UAE
If you happen to have AED 50 million spare though, you can pick up a ‘No.1’ plate, which we’re sure you can figure out the meaning of. Single digit plates are really top dog in the UAE, especially Dubai. In fact, the five most expensive plates of all time all hail from the UAE and are all single digit plates. We’re talking prices of AED 25 million, AED 16 million, AED 11 million and AED 10 million.
Next time you go for a number plate, just double check if it’s something uniform or symmetrical, if it is, you’re in the money.
