JPJ just sold the "H 1" plate for RM10.7 million. Yours does not need to cost anywhere near that.
The same system that ran that auction, JPJeBid, is open to anyone with a MyKad and a Malaysian bank card. Most plates start at RM300, and you can bid from your sofa without paying a runner's markup.
Here is how to bid for a car number plate on JPJeBid in 2026, step by step, including the rules that catch first-timers out.
What JPJeBid is, and why the "H" series made headlines
JPJeBid is the Road Transport Department's official online bidding system for vehicle registration numbers. It launched in 2019 and is now used for new plate series nationwide. Because it is online, where you live does not matter — you can bid for another state's series.
The system just had its biggest week. JPJ raised RM91.2 million from the "H" special series, with bidding held entirely on JPJeBid from 16 to 20 September 2026, and confirmed a winning bid of RM10.7 million for "H 1", Malay Mail reported.
Regular series open on JPJeBid every few weeks, and the entry prices are far more reasonable.
JPJeBid number plate categories and base prices
Plates are grouped by desirability. Each category has a minimum bid and a set increment, as summarised in paultan.org's JPJeBid guide:
| Category | Examples | Base price | Bid increment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden | 1 to 10 | RM20,000 | RM1,000 |
| Attractive | 11–19; 22, 33, 66; 222, 333; 2222, 3333 | RM3,000 | RM150 |
| Popular | Other 2–3 digit numbers, 1000/2000/7000, "nombor kahwin" such as 3030 or 4224 | RM800 | RM40 |
| Running (regular) | All other numbers | RM300 | RM15 |
On top of your bid, there is a non-refundable RM10 service charge per number you enter. Pay it once and you can bid on that number as many times as you like. Enter three numbers, pay RM30 — win or lose.
How to bid on JPJeBid, step by step
Step 1: Register an account
Go to the official portal at jpjebid.jpj.gov.my and register as an individual or a company. Individuals register with their MyKad. Your login ID is your IC number.
Verify the account through the email JPJ sends you before the session you want opens.
Step 2: Register under the right name
Winning bids are tied to the name on the account and are generally non-transferable. If the car will be registered in your name, bid from your own account. Do not borrow a friend's.
Step 3: Prepare a Malaysian-issued card
You need a Malaysian-issued credit or debit card. The RM10 charge is taken immediately. Your bids are held as pre-authorisations, similar to a hotel deposit. Each time you raise your bid, another hold is placed for the top-up.
Make sure your card limit or balance can cover the maximum you are prepared to bid, plus the holds.
Step 4: Pick your numbers and pay the entry fee
When a series opens, choose the numbers you want and pay the RM10 per number. You can enter as many numbers and series as you like.
Step 5: Bid — and save the fight for the end
A bidding session runs for about five days, usually closing around 10pm on the last day. Most of the action happens in the final hours.
In the last 30 minutes, the minimum increment doubles — RM2,000 for Golden, RM300 for Attractive, RM80 for Popular and RM30 for Running numbers.
Your dashboard shows the top three bids. There are no email alerts during bidding; notifications go to the in-app inbox, so stay logged in near the close. Log in early, because the site can slow down in the final minutes.
Step 6: Know the win limits
Individuals can win up to three numbers per series, companies up to five. The cap exists to stop resellers dominating a series.
What happens after you win
Results arrive by email the day after bidding closes. If you lose, your pre-authorisation holds are reversed, which can take a few days to clear. Only the RM10 per-number fee is kept.
If you win, all your holds are charged and you receive a letter confirming your right to the number.
The deadline that matters: you must register the number on a vehicle within 12 months. Miss it and the number is withdrawn with no refund.
- Buying a new car? Give the winning-bid letter to your sales advisor, who handles registration.
- Putting it on a car you already own? Visit a JPJ office with the letter to register the change.
- Transferring the number to family? Allowed only to immediate family — parents, spouse, siblings and children — with proof such as a birth or marriage certificate. Companies, societies and cooperatives cannot transfer.
If you are also changing the car itself, our guide to transferring car ownership in Malaysia covers the paperwork. Once everything is registered, remember to renew your road tax online.
Tips before your first JPJeBid session
- Place an early low bid just to learn the interface.
- Set a ceiling before the last 30 minutes. Doubled increments make it easy to overspend in a hurry.
- Expect competition on pretty numbers. Resellers bid heavily on Attractive and Popular plates.
- Running numbers are the sweet spot. A number with personal meaning in the Running category starts at RM300.
FAQ
How much does it cost to bid on JPJeBid?
A non-refundable RM10 per number you enter, plus your winning bid. Base prices start at RM300 for Running numbers and go up to RM20,000 for Golden numbers.
How long does a JPJeBid session last?
About five days, usually closing around 10pm on the final day.
How many numbers can I win on JPJeBid?
Individuals can win up to three numbers per series. Companies can win up to five.
What happens if I lose a bid?
Your bid pre-authorisations are reversed, which can take a few days to appear. The RM10 per-number service charge is not refunded.
How long do I have to use a number I won?
Twelve months to register it on a vehicle. After that, the number is withdrawn without a refund.
