The most expensive number plates in the UAE
The UAE is the undisputed home of the world's priciest licence plates — it holds every one of the top global positions. Here are the record-breakers, and what their prices reveal about plate value.
UAE record-breaking plate sales
Figures below are based on widely reported public auction results. Many top plates are sold at charity auctions, where competitive bidding can lift prices well above normal market levels.
| Plate | Emirate | Price | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| P 7 | Dubai | AED 55 million | 2023 |
| 1 | Abu Dhabi | AED 52.2 million | 2008 |
| D 5 | Dubai | AED 33 million | 2021 |
Dubai “P 7” — AED 55 million (2023). World record (Guinness). Sold at a charity auction; Telegram founder Pavel Durov was among the underbidders.
Abu Dhabi “1” — AED 52.2 million (2008). Bought by Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri — held the world record for 15 years.
Dubai “D 5” — AED 33 million (2021). A landmark charity-auction sale and a Dubai record at the time.
What record plates tell us about value
Every record-setter follows the same rules that apply to ordinary plates — just taken to the extreme:
- Length is everything. Single-character and single-digit plates (“1”, “P 7”, “D 5”) are the rarest objects on the road.
- Emirate prestige matters. Dubai and Abu Dhabi dominate the record books because demand and buyer wealth are concentrated there.
- Occasion drives the peak. Charity auctions attract competitive, headline-seeking bidders, so the very top prices are often set in the room rather than the open market.
What is a normal plate worth?
The vast majority of plates trade for a tiny fraction of these headline figures. To see a realistic range for a specific plate — in any emirate — use the free checker below. For the full method, read how UAE number plates are valued.
Estimate a plate's value
Frequently asked questions
What is the most expensive number plate in the world? +
Dubai plate ‘P 7’, sold for AED 55 million (about USD 15 million) at a charity auction in 2023, holds the Guinness World Record. The UAE occupies all of the top spots on the global list.
Why are UAE number plates so expensive? +
Extremely short, low or single-character plates are exceptionally rare, carry strong prestige, and are often sold at high-profile charity auctions where bidding runs hot. Demand from collectors and high-net-worth buyers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi pushes prices far beyond anywhere else in the world.
How can I estimate what a normal plate is worth? +
Most plates are nowhere near record territory. Use our free UAE number plate value checker to get a realistic range for an everyday plate based on its emirate, code, length and pattern.