Unique Dubai license plate sells for $2 million to highest bidder

  • A number plate has sold in Dubai for roughly $2 million
  • The auction was held by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA)
  • It saw a 28 percent increase on the total raised compared to the previous auction

Published on May 21, 2024 at 2:24 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Last updated on May 22, 2024 at 12:09 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Alessandro Renesis

Forget the eye-watering cost of some supercars, a license plate has sold in Dubai for AED 7.3 million (roughly USD $2 million) at an auction held by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA).

In total, a massive AED 65 million (or USD $18 million) was spent in total at the 115th Premium Vehicle Number Plates Open Auction.

And these license plate prices certainly show no signs of slowing down, in fact, it’s a 28 percent increase on the previous auction held by the organization.

READ MORE! Inside the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, proclaimed to be the eighth wonder of the world

It seems simplicity was key to the license plates’ value at the event, which took place at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City. 

It was vehicle number AA16 that sold for the highest amount.

This was closely followed by plate number AA69 for the sum of AED 6 million (USD $1.6 million) and AA999 for AED 4 million (USD 1.1 million).

In total, over 90 plates were put on auction.

These featured two, three, four, and five-digit numbers across various categories, including ‘AA-I-J-L-M-O-P-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z’, per RTA.

“It is based on neutrality, transparency, and providing equal opportunities for lovers of special numbers, who seek to acquire them through the authority’s auctions because these special numbers represent important occasions, symbols, events, and milestones in their lives,” the organization said in a statement.

Simplistic number plates might not be the future, however, as digital license plates were recently approved in the US.

They allow users to add a personal message to the bottom of their plate, under the registration itself, and alert the owner if the vehicle is stolen – here’s everything you need to know.

It’s still undecided how the plate system will work for Dubai’s incoming fleet of next-level flying cars.

In other Dubai car news, the first Cybertruck was delivered by Tesla to Dubai and was seen parked on the beach.

One YouTuber got to check out the Foundation Series model and, in true Tesla style, was also treated to an over-the-top light show.


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Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.