RTA’s latest number plate sale hit nearly Dh98m, with BB 88 alone fetching Dh14m, here’s what went down
Only in Dubai can a hotel ballroom transform into something straight out of Monaco’s paddock for a few electrifying hours. On Saturday night at the Grand Hyatt, high-rolling bidders turned a routine RTA auction into a full-blown spectacle, driving total sales to Dhs97.95 million — a clear sign that Dubai’s obsession with standout number plates is still going full throttle.
The real headliner? A sleek minimalist gem: BB 88 — just two letters and two digits — smashing records with a final hammer price of Dhs14 million. The crowd barely caught their breath before the next showstoppers hit: Y 31 soaring to Dhs6.27 million, and both M 78 and BB 777 closing at Dhs6 million each. A perfect reminder that symmetry, low numbers, and repeating patterns are the ultimate luxury in the world of plates. If you know, you know.
بلغت حصيلة إيرادات المزاد العلني للأرقام المميزة الـ 119 لأرقام اللوحات المميّزة للمركبات، والذي أطلقته #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات بـ#دبي مساء أمس السبت 27 سبتمبر، (97 مليوناً و 950 ألف درهم).
وحقق الرقم (BB88)، القيمة السعرية الأعلى في المزاد، وبِيعَ بــ 14 مليون درهم، تلاه الرقم… pic.twitter.com/7xEMRYwThf
— RTA (@rta_dubai) September 28, 2025
This was the 119th open auction, and the lineup looked like a collector’s ultimate flex. Ninety plates, ranging from AA to Z, with two to five digits, plus plenty of unique combos packed with story vibes. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority keeps the rules straightforward to keep the hype alive. To throw your hat in the ring, you need a Dubai traffic file, a Dhs25,000 security deposit to the RTA, and a Dhs120 entry fee. Payments are all online, perfect for those who want to strategize from their screens before jumping into the action. This setup keeps things transparent and the pace sharp.
So, why do people go after these plates, you wonder? Beyond the flex factor, these unique numbers speak their own language — a quick status signal for some, a smart investment for others. A plate like BB 88 catches eyes instantly at a red light or valet stand, and in a city all about design and detail, that’s a big deal. The resale scene is buzzing, the authenticity is legit, and the winners walk away with a slice of Dubai’s culture that just happens to stick on a bumper.
When the last lot went down, the numbers spoke loud: nearly Dhs98 million raked in for plates that blend typography, numerology, and that signature Dubai boldness. If you’re gearing up for the next round, have your lucky digits locked, your sharpest poker face on, and maybe a buddy to reel you in when your bids start climbing too high.
