How to buy and transfer a car plate number in Malaysia (JPJ bidding and/or direct purchase)

Whether you’re eyeing a lucky “8888” or a budget-friendly nombor kahwin like “3838”, or simply want to keep your old number when upgrading cars, knowing how to buy or transfer a car plate number in Malaysia can save you a lot of time and hassle.

Here’s a complete guide on how to get your desired plate through JPJ eBid or direct purchase – plus how to transfer it when you buy or sell your car.

Option 1: How to bid for a car plate number on JPJ eBid

Malaysia’s JPJ eBid system lets you bid for new car plate numbers online – no agents, no shady markups. Just you, your luck, and your credit card.

Here’s how it works:

1. Go to jpjebid.jpj.gov.my
2. Register for an account
3. Login and you’ll be led to the home page with the available state prefix you can bid for (eg. V for KL, S for Sabah etc)
4. Select your desired prefix and browse available numbers
5. Place your initial bid and pay using your credit card.

The real action happens in the final 5 minutes before bidding closes.
This is when the competition heats up for popular numbers – bids come in fast, and it’s your chance to outbid the others.

However, if you’re going for a regular number, you can simply place your bid earlier and wait it out. No need to stress over last-minute bidding.

The official FAQ from JPJ can be found here.

What to do after winning your JPJ eBid

If you’ve successfully won a car plate number on JPJ eBid, congratulations — but you’re not done yet. You’ll need to register or retain the number before the deadline. Here’s what to do next:

1. Check your results
   After the bidding period ends, JPJ will notify winners via email or you can log in to your JPJ eBid account to check your status.
2. Assign the number to a vehicle
   Once payment is made, you must assign the number to a car registered under your name (individual or company) within 12 months.
   • If you already have a car, you can proceed with registration immediately at JPJ.
   • If not, you can retain the number by paying a RM100 retention fee per year until you’re ready to use it.
3. Collect your vehicle registration card
   Once the number has been successfully assigned, you’ll receive an updated vehicle registration card reflecting your new plate number.
4. Order your physical number plates
   Finally, have your new number plates made by a licensed plate maker according to JPJ specifications. Avoid illegal fonts or non-standard designs, as these can lead to fines.

Important note:
Once you’re successful in your bid and win a number, you must first assign it to a vehicle. You can’t sell or transfer the number to someone else unless it has already been registered to a car.

Option 2: Buying a car number plate from an owner or dealer

Don’t want to go through the bidding process? You can buy a plate directly from someone who already owns it – or through dealers on platforms like Mudah.my or MySikap.

This usually involves:

• Negotiating a price with the seller
• Obtaining plate ownership transfer documents
• Completing the JPJ retention and transfer process (see below)

Be cautious of scams. Always verify that the number plate is available and that the seller is the legal owner before making any payment.

How to transfer a car plate number from an old car to a new car

If you intend to retain your current car plate number and want to use it on your next car, you can transfer it. Here’s how:

Step-by-step guide:

1. Visit any JPJ branch
2. Bring the following documents:
   • NRIC
   • Vehicle grant/registration card (for both old car and new cars)
   • Valid insurance cover note for the new car
   • Completed JPJ K1 and K3 forms
3. Request to retain the number from your old vehicle
4. Pay the necessary retention and transfer fees
5. Assign the retained number to your new car

Fees to expect:

• Number retention: RM100 per year (renewable)
• Plate number transfer: RM100
• Ownership change: RM100 (if transferring to another person)
  

Key rules to remember

• JPJ eBid numbers cannot be sold unless they are first registered to a vehicle.
• You can only transfer a plate if both vehicles are in your name.
• For company-owned cars, prepare company registration documents and an authorisation letter.
• You cannot transfer a plate from a blacklisted or scrapped vehicle.

Why this matters if you’re selling or trading in your car

If you’re thinking of selling your car, it’s smart to transfer your plate before doing so – especially if it’s a meaningful or valuable number. Once the sale is done, it’s much harder to reclaim it.

Carro makes this process simple. You can retain your plate while selling or trading in your car through Carro’s platform. You’ll need to buy a replacement number plate for the car and go through the interchange process with Puspakom and JPJ. That means you can sell your old car quickly and still keep your lucky number for your next ride.

Read more: How to sell your car in Malaysia

Final thoughts on getting your new car number plate

Customising your ride with a special plate number is a big part of Malaysian car culture – whether for luck, status, or fun. And if you’re switching cars, transferring your existing number plate helps maintain your identity and saves you from memorising a new one.

Just remember the golden rule: Always register first. Then transfer.

With Carro, you can trade in your car, sell it fast, and keep your special number without the usual stress. Just fill up our form here, and our team will be in contact!