How to Apply for Number Plate in Punjab

Quick Answer

Number plates are issued by the Excise and Taxation Department during new vehicle registration. Replacement plates for lost/damaged ones cost approximately Rs. 1,500-3,000. Fancy number plates (custom numbers) are sold through Excise auctions and can cost Rs. 50,000-500,000+ for premium combinations.

How Number Plates Are Issued in Punjab

In Punjab, number plates are issued by the Excise and Taxation Department as part of the vehicle registration process. New vehicles receive plates during first registration, and replacement plates are available for lost, stolen, or damaged ones. Punjab also conducts auctions for "fancy" number plates — desirable combinations that fetch premium prices from buyers willing to pay for status or memorability.

Standard Number Plate Issuance

When you register a new vehicle, number plates are included in the registration package. You receive them from the Excise office typically within 7-15 days of registration. Until permanent plates arrive, temporary paper plates allow legal road use. The Excise office assigns the number sequentially — you don't get to choose (unless you buy a fancy plate).

Replacement Plates for Lost or Damaged

  1. File a police report (FIR) for stolen plates, or bring damaged plates for exchange.
  2. Visit the Excise office with your CNIC, registration book, and FIR copy (if stolen).
  3. Apply for replacement plates. Fee: approximately Rs. 1,500-3,000.
  4. New plates issued with the same registration number within 7-15 days.

Fancy Number Plate Auctions

Punjab Excise periodically auctions premium number plate combinations — single digits, repeated numbers (e.g., 1111), and sequential numbers. These auctions attract significant interest, with desirable plates selling for Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 500,000 or more. Auction announcements appear in newspapers and on the Excise Punjab website.

For new vehicle registration (includes plates): registration guide. For vehicle verification: MTMIS check. For token tax: tax status guide.

Number Plate Rules and Compliance

  • Only Excise-issued plates are legal. Custom-made plates from private shops — even if they display the correct number — are illegal. The official plate format, material, and reflective properties are specified by the Excise Department.
  • Plates must be displayed front and rear. Missing, obscured, or bent plates are a traffic violation subject to challans.
  • Temporary plates have expiry dates. Paper temporary plates are valid for a limited period. Driving with expired temporary plates after permanent plates should have arrived is a violation.

Don't buy unofficial plates. Private shops sell number plates with unofficial formatting. These are illegal and can result in challans, vehicle impoundment, or registration issues. Only use plates issued by the Excise and Taxation Department.

Number Plates — Punjab Vehicle Owner Questions

Number plates are included in the new vehicle registration process at the Excise and Taxation office. They're issued 7-15 days after registration. You use temporary paper plates until the permanent ones arrive.

Approximately Rs. 1,500-3,000 for standard replacement plates. The process requires visiting the Excise office with a police report (for stolen plates) or the damaged plates (for exchange).

Fancy plates are sold at Excise auctions. Prices range from Rs. 50,000 for less desirable combinations to Rs. 500,000+ for premium single-digit or repeated-number plates. Auctions are advertised in newspapers.

No. The number plate is tied to the vehicle registration, not the owner. When you sell the vehicle, the plate transfers with it. You cannot retain a number plate from a sold vehicle for your next car.