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Dubai Number Plates. Why Are They Expensive?

People who live in Dubai or have spent some time there are no strangers to seeing incredibly expensive luxury cars with even more exotic number plates.

Dubai Number Plates. Why Are They Expensive?

People who live in Dubai or have spent some time there are no strangers to seeing incredibly expensive luxury cars with even more exotic number plates. It is not uncommon to see countless vehicles with two or even one-digit number plates in the region which is not something you find even in some of the most developed cities and countries.

But why are number plates in Dubai so expensive and why do people prefer these over generic plates? If you have been wondering this for a while then don’t worry because this is what this blog is all about.

So, without any further ado, let’s get right into some of the main factors that lead to very high number plate prices in Dubai and the UAE.


  • Dubai’s Luxury and Expensive Number Plates: What You Need to Know

  • Reasons Why Dubai Number Plates are So Expensive

  • A Symbol of Status, Exclusivity, and Prestige

  • Alignment with Dubai’s Luxury Car Culture

  • High Investment Potential

  • High Demand but Low Supply

  • Useful for Business Marketing and Branding

  • Acquisition Through Government Auctions


Dubai’s Luxury and Expensive Number Plates: What You Need to Know

Dubai’s elite treats number plates somewhat differently from the rest of the world. A lack of numbers or a unique but satisfyingly uniform combination of numbers is often a sign of high financial and social status in the region.  

The fewer the numbers there are on your number plate, the more cash you will most likely have in the bank. Vehicles with three-, two- and one-number number plates are the top choice for CEOs, business tycoons, royalty and other rich and influential groups in the region.

  • Three Digit Number Plates

A three-digit number plate costs you about five or six figures based on its uniqueness and demand. For example, you can get a G-code 150 or some similar number plate for AED 380,000. More exotic numbers like “100” will cost you AED 1,550,000 or more.

  • Two Digit Number Plates

The two-digit number plates are a whole other story. The prices of these plates are several million Dirhams and owning one of these surely turns every head. For example, a plate with the number “99” can cost you about AED 3,150,000. For this price, you can get yourself a Lamborghini Aventador, an Aston Martin DB11, and a Ferrari California combined.

  • One Digit Number Plates

Single-digit plates are where things start to get really serious. The prices for these plates can range from AED 10 million to AED 50 million. In fact, you will be surprised to know that the five most expensive number plates of all time all belong to the UAE and they are all single-digit plates.


Reasons Why Dubai Number Plates are So Expensive

Following are the main reasons why the number plates in Dubai are extremely expensive


  1. A Symbol of Status, Exclusivity and Prestige

Having a vehicle with a unique number plate in Dubai is not about the identification of the car you own. Most people who have these plates do so to make a statement.

People in Dubai are willing to pay big bucks just to flex their status and exclusivity to the world which drives very high number plate prices in the region. 

Dubai is a place that is fascinated with luxury and exclusivity and a vehicle with a one or two-digit number plate is exactly what you need to blend well with these themes.


  1. Alignment with Dubai’s Luxury Car Culture

Dubai’s roads are flooded with luxury cars from top brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce just to name a few. To make their vehicle stand out and align with the region's luxury car culture, owners prefer custom number plates that depict their high-end vehicle and its unique status.

Rare plate numbers or the plates with distinct combinations further separate you from the crowd and this is why people are willing to pay as much as they can to get these.

 

  1. High Investment Potential

Many people see number plates in Dubai as a great investment opportunity. As the years go by, the prices of unique and rare number plates tend to increase significantly which promises a much higher ROI.

This is why many investors and wealthy business personnel are eager to get their hands on limited edition and rare plates. This gives these people an opportunity to further diversify their portfolios and generate huge long-term capital appreciation.


  1. High Demand but Low Supply

This is another basic principle that is behind very high number plate prices in Dubai. The region has a very high and still growing population of high net worth individuals. On the other hand, the number plates with unique features like fewer numbers and eye-catching combinations are very few which creates a big supply and demand gap.

Moreover, the sale of these plates is regulated by the government using strict policies and supervised auctions which further limits the supply and fuels even more demand.

This limited supply increases the exclusivity of these plates which is what makes them so expensive.

 

  1. Useful for Business Marketing and Branding

Some people go for expensive plates that reflect their business and brand identity. They intend to use these plates for their personal or corporate brand and image building.

Having an exclusive number plate adds an extra layer of prestige and desirability to the brand which aids in the fulfillment of the broader marketing objectives.

These plates are also a great way to create stronger personal and business networks as well as attract the attention of the right people which is what makes them super expensive.

     

  1. Acquisition Through Government Auctions

The way rare and unique number plates in Dubai are sold is another factor that leads to their high prices. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai arranges auctions for special plates where buyers engage in fierce competition that leads to even higher number plate prices.

These auctions ensure the plates go to the highest bidders who are willing to pay millions of Dirhams to get the most exclusive ones.

 

Conclusion

Vehicle number plates in Dubai are used as a status symbol that shows you value exclusivity and luxury above all else. These plates cost so much because they align with the UAE’s luxury car culture where everyone is expected to bring something customized and unique to the table to stand out.

Having a high-end limited-edition vehicle with a unique number plate the likes of which are not easily found is a great way to make your mark in Dubai’s rich, thriving, and constantly evolving business landscape.

This naturally leads to a much higher demand for such number plates in the region and that is exactly what leads to their very high prices that sometimes even cost more than the vehicle itself.

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