You want a fancy car number plate?

Fancy official car number plate grab attention like no other for car lovers.

Yesterday, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) announced that RAP and BRB are the following number plate series up for bidding on its online auction platform, JPJ eBid.

However, some of these number plates cost hundreds of thousands of ringgit, with some even fetching millions.

According to iMoney, PATRIOT 1 number plate was sold at RM1.3 million to a mysterious bidder.

To overcome this, resourceful Malaysian vehicle owners deliberately make their vehicle alphabets and numbers to sound fancy.

After the redesign, the mundane-looking alphabets and numbers suddenly turn into a cool looking personal statement.

A mundane MAF 14 turns into an intimidating MAFIA, DA 70 rearranged to look like a respectful DATO.

These are just a few examples, but the creativity of some vehicle owners will blow you out of your mind.

Cool number plate? Not really says JPJ

However, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) begs to differ.

Since January 31, 2011, the penalties for non-compliance to the standard specs increased from RM300 to RM3000.

JPJ posted on their Facebook that there are only certain types of number plates are allowed and in compliance with the Act 333 (Road Transportation Act 1987).

Furthermore, the act clearly explains that the display of registration number must be in accordance to specification and there shall be no modification to confuse. This can be seen on Part II, Section 14 of the Act.

Following this, JPJ advised the public to report any vehicles that have confusing, vague or fancy registration plates by taking photos and submitting them to the department via email at [email protected], along with other relevant details.

Follow the specifications

Furthermore, JPJ posted the following infographic for a clear understanding of the said vehicle number plate specifications and the types of number plates that are allowed for use.

Generally, there are three types of number plates that are in use in Malaysia.

General vehicles must use use white alphabets and numbers, embossed or glued on a black plate.

Meanwhile white alphabets and numbers, embossed or glued on a red plate for vehicles belonging to Embassies, United Nations UN and the International Natural Rubber Association.

Finally, black alphabets and numbers, embossed or glued on a white plate for taxi and hired cars.

Most importantly, JPJ standards also dictates that the gaps between letters are 10mm. Spacing between alphabet and number groups is 20mm. Height and width are 70mm and 40mm respectively with a thickness of 10mm.

So, before you go on creativity overdrive and coming up with some cool name for your car, think of the RM3,000 that you might end up paying.

Originally published on August 7, 2014