Special number plates in Bahrain explained: digit tiers, what makes a plate valuable, what 'including ownership' means, and how to sell or keep your plate.
Special number plates in Bahrain (known locally as arqam mumayaza) are registration numbers that are short, repetitive or easy to remember, and they trade as assets in their own right. This guide covers the seller's side: how plate tiers work, what pushes a number's price up, what sellers mean by "including ownership" in an ad, and how to sell, transfer or keep a special plate through the General Directorate of Traffic (GDT). If you are buying, read our companion guide on how to buy a VIP licence plate in Bahrain first.
Types of special number plates in Bahrain
Private vehicle plates in Bahrain carry a number of up to six digits. The fewer the digits, the scarcer the number, which is why the market talks about plates in digit tiers rather than by vehicle type. You can browse live listings by tier on MotorsSouq, from the rarest short numbers to patterned six-digit plates, on our VIP plates in Bahrain page.
Two- and three-digit plates
These are the trophy tier. Very few exist, they rarely change hands, and when they do the deal is usually private and slow. Expect serious buyers to ask for proof of ownership before any price discussion. Current offers are grouped on the 3-digit plates page.
Four- and five-digit plates
The most active segment for collectors and businesses. A clean four-digit number with repeated digits can outprice many cars, while a five-digit plate with a simple pattern is often the entry point for first-time buyers of a special number.
Patterned six-digit plates
Six digits is the standard length, so value here comes entirely from the pattern. Recent official auctions have included numbers such as 670000, 677777 and 676767 — all six digits, all valued for their symmetry.
What drives the value of a special plate
- Digit count: fewer digits almost always means a higher price.
- Repetition: identical digits (777777) or near-identical ones (777776) are the most sought after.
- Patterns: mirrored numbers (676767), round numbers (670000) and ascending or descending runs.
- Personal meaning: birth years, family numbers or a company's founding year can attract a buyer willing to pay above market.
- Ownership status: a plate you legally own and can transfer on its own is worth more than one that is simply fitted to your car (more on this below).
- Clean record: any fines or legal restrictions linked to the vehicle or the holder will delay a sale and weaken your price.
There is no official price list for private resales. Look at comparable asking prices across our licence plates listings, then price slightly above your walk-away figure to leave room for negotiation.
What "including ownership" (shamel al-tamalluk) means in plate ads
Many Bahraini ads say a plate is sold "including ownership". In market usage this signals that the price covers full ownership of the number, so the buyer can hold it independently of any car — either because the seller already holds ownership, or because the seller will pay the GDT ownership fee as part of the deal. Because the phrase is used loosely, always ask the seller which case applies and confirm who pays the GDT fee before you agree a price. As a seller, state it clearly in your listing to avoid disputes.
How ownership of a plate number works
Bahrain regulates the sale of distinctive and semi-distinctive registration numbers through a Ministry of Interior procedures guide first approved in 2017 and amended since, most recently by Decision No. 141 of 2025. Under the amended rules, a person who was allocated a number before the scheme can ask to keep it, fix it on another vehicle they own, or take ownership of it for a fee. Transferring that number to another person requires taking ownership first — unless the plate simply goes with the car when the car is sold. The 2025 amendment also extends the scheme, from 1 December 2025, to additional vehicle classes including motorcycles. You can read the text on the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission website.
How to sell or transfer a special plate to another person
The GDT service is called Ownership or Resale of Vehicle Registration Numbers on the bahrain.bh National Portal. When we reviewed it in September 2026 the listed fee was BD 100; confirm on the service page before you pay.
- Check the conditions. The vehicle registration must be valid, there must be no legal restrictions on the vehicle (such as a seizure or a loan), and all traffic fines, contraventions and accident cases must be cleared.
- Prepare the documents. A valid ID card, the vehicle ownership certificate, the licensing division form signed by the owner, and a letter waiving the registration number. Companies add a copy of the commercial registration, a stamped form and an authorised-signatory letter. For transfers between spouses or between parents and children, bring the marriage or birth certificate.
- Apply online or in person. Online, log in to the General Directorate of Traffic services with your eKey, pay, and the ownership certificate is emailed to you. In person, book through the Mawaeid appointment app and visit a GDT vehicle licensing branch; processing takes about one working day.
- Hand over only after completion. Release the plate and waiver when the buyer's payment has cleared, and keep a copy of the new ownership record.
Ready to find a buyer? List your number on our sell your plate page with a clear photo and your ownership status.
Keeping your special plate when you sell the car
If you are selling the car but not the number, sort out the plate before the car changes hands. Ask the GDT to retain the number or move it to another vehicle you own; the car then receives a new standard number. A number you hold without a car must be kept current through the Vehicle Reserved Plate Numbers Renewal eService. Only then complete the car sale using our step-by-step guide to transferring car ownership in Bahrain. If you skip this step, the plate may leave with the car.
Official plate auctions
New distinctive numbers are released by the state rather than by private sellers. The rules allow three channels: public auction, electronic auction and direct sale. In practice, the GDT has run online auctions with Mazad, the Mumtalakat portfolio company that manages public auctions, through the "Mazad – Auctions & More" app; bidders register and pay a refundable deposit. Earlier digital auctions were run with Arabian Auctions. Watch official announcements for dates, as they are not held on a fixed calendar.
Scams and mistakes to avoid
- Seller is not the holder: only deal with the person named in GDT records, or a properly authorised representative.
- Hidden restrictions: a loan or seizure on the vehicle blocks the transfer. Ask for a clean record before you meet.
- Paying before the transfer: never send the full amount before the GDT transaction is complete.
- Fake payment links: the GDT has warned about text messages asking people to pay "traffic fines" through links. Traffic payments are made only through the MyGov app and the national eGovernment portal.
- Vague ad wording: "including ownership" without details leads to arguments about who pays the fee.
If you would rather not handle the paperwork yourself, our government clearance service can help prepare and follow up the transaction on your behalf.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell a special plate without selling my car?
Yes. Take ownership of the number (if you have not already), then transfer it to the buyer through the GDT ownership or resale service. Your car receives a new standard number.
Can I transfer a plate to my wife or son?
Yes, through the same service. Bring the marriage certificate for a spouse, or the birth certificate for transfers between parents and children.
What does "including ownership" mean in a plate ad?
It means the price is meant to cover full ownership of the number. Confirm whether the seller already holds ownership or will pay the GDT fee, and put it in writing.
Are motorcycle numbers covered by the special plate rules?
The 2025 amendment extends the distinctive-number scheme to additional vehicle classes, including motorcycles, from 1 December 2025.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Procedures and fees change — always confirm on the official portal before you apply.
