The priciest number plates in South Africa

Just when you think you know everything about number plates, think again. While commuting or taking a long trip, motorists and their passengers will try to spot every personalised number plate they see, but do the public really know how much these plates cost and how much people are willing to spend to get one? 

Licenced to Spend: The Most Expensive Car Number Plates in South Africa

A car number plate, also known as a licence plate, is a metal or plastic plate attached to a vehicle that displays a unique alphanumeric code. This code is used to identify the vehicle for various purposes, such as registration, taxation, law enforcement, government officials, and insurance.

Normally, number plates in South Africa wouldn’t be at the top of your expense list, but if you’re someone who’s invested in being different on the road, you might have a different mindset. Not to burst your bubble, but within reason and by law, there are terms and conditions that do apply. 

How the number plate system works

If approved by the Department of Transport, you can customise your car's number plate with up to seven alphanumeric characters. However, the chosen characters must not be rude, obscene, or offensive. The plate must also meet standard regulations and be available.

Additionally, these plates need to be SABS-approved and feature the approved logo, hologram, and coat of arms. This also includes a background that corresponds to provincial regulations where the vehicle is registered. Unless you want to keep them, your number plates can also be transferred from person to person.

To get your hands on a “vanity plate” in South Africa, keep in mind that the costs will depend on several factors, like the supplier and location. A province may charge per character for number plates, while another may not.

To put it into perspective, the cost of the number plate will also vary based on the number plate sequence - this is where customising comes in. 

A number plate sequence is defined as the arrangement of characters—letters and numbers—on a vehicle's registration plate. The format of number plate sequences can vary by province. Typically, the sequence includes a combination of alphanumeric characters that may represent the registration region (province or city), and a unique identifier for the vehicle.

Prices of custom number plates in the Western Cape 

Outlined by Plates SA, here’s what you can expect to pay for a custom number plate:

• For 4 to 7 alphanumeric symbols: R3,307, e.g., MINI7 - WP.
• For 3 alphanumeric symbols: R6,419, e.g., ANN - WP.
• For 2 alphanumeric symbols: R14,469, e.g., X7 - WP.
• For 1 alphanumeric symbol: R113,619, e.g., C - WP.

Prices of custom number plates in Gauteng 

• For 4 to 7 alphanumeric symbols: R4100, e.g., WINNIE - GP
• For 3 alphanumeric symbols: R2,100, e.g., JAY 888 - GP 
• For 1 to 3 alphanumeric symbols: R6,600, e.g., G6 - GP or 7 - GP

Provinces that don't charge for characters

The following provinces offer flat rate number plate pricing instead of character-based pricing: 

1. Northern Cape  R2,530
2. North West R2,800
3. Free State: R3,000
4. Limpopo R3,200
5. Kwazulu-Natal R3,500
6. Mpumalanga R4,700
7. Eastern Cape R4,850

Number plates that are customised are only registered once - this means there is only one, and it cannot be duplicated.

There is demand from the second-hand market for said customised number plates. As of 2016, the most expensive plate sold for a staggering R1,890.000.

Summary

Here are key differences between buying a normal number plate and customising a number plate in South Africa:

Normal Number Plate:

• Standard Format: Issued by the provincial traffic department with a standard format (letters and numbers) that follows legal regulations.
• Cost: Significantly cheaper, typically part of the car registration process. The price usually includes the plate, vehicle registration, and roadworthy certificate fees.
• Purpose: Designed purely for vehicle identification purposes, assigned randomly with no personalisation.

Customised Number Plate:

• Personalisation: Allows motorists to choose their own combination of letters and numbers (subject to availability and provincial rules). This is often used to reflect names, businesses, or unique identifiers.
• Cost: Much more expensive. Prices can range from a few thousand rand to over R100,000, depending on the province and the exclusivity of the combination chosen. For example, highly sought-after personalised plates tend to be more expensive.
• Prestige or Vanity: People often opt for custom plates as a status symbol, to stand out, or for branding purposes.
• Restrictions: Some combinations may not be allowed if they violate regulations, contain offensive content, or duplicate existing plates.

In summary, a normal number plate is basic, randomly assigned, and low-cost, while a customised plate offers personalisation at a much higher price, often chosen for status, business, or fun.