Dubai’s market for distinctive vehicle number plates reached a new milestone last week, with a single auction generating AED 109 million in sales, the highest total ever recorded by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), according to reporting by Gulf News.
Rather than a gradual climb, the figure was driven by intense competition for a handful of highly prized plates, most notably BB12. That number emerged as the top seller of the night after attracting a winning bid of AED 9.66 million, setting the pace for the rest of the auction. Other standout results included AA25, which sold for more than AED 8.04 million, BB30 at AED 6.74 million, and CC100, which reached AED 4.21 million.
RTA officials said the results reflect continued confidence in the authority’s auction model, which is designed to ensure equal access and transparent bidding. Distinctive plates—particularly those with low digits or visually striking combinations—remain a sought-after marker of prestige in the UAE, helping to sustain aggressive bidding even as prices climb.
The auction, held on December 27 at the Al Joud Ballroom in Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, featured 90 distinctive numbers. These included two-, three-, four- and five-digit plates drawn from multiple code series such as AA, BB, CC, K, N, O, R, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z.
Bidders were able to register starting December 22, either through the RTA’s online platform, selected Customer Happiness Centres in Umm Ramool, Deira and Al Barsha, or directly at the venue. Participants who completed registration ahead of time were given priority access during the event.
All successful bids were subject to a 5 per cent value-added tax. To participate, bidders were required to hold an active Dubai traffic file, submit a AED 25,000 security cheque payable to RTA, and pay a non-refundable AED 120 participation fee, with credit card payment available for online registration.
