Sharjah Unveils Plates for Classic Vehicles

Sharjah Introduces New License Plates for Classic Cars and Motorcycles

Sharjah police officially announced on December 23, 2025, the introduction of a new license plate category designed specifically for classic vehicles and motorcycles. This move clearly indicates that the emirate is paying attention to preserving automotive heritage while modernizing its transportation system and responding to the increasing popularity of classic vehicles.

Meeting of Heritage and Innovation

The introduction of the new license plate category is not just an aesthetic or technical update. This measure merges visual identity and cultural values with modern standards. The design of the plates aligns with Sharjah's official branding while paying special attention to preserving the nostalgic character of classic vehicles. This is particularly important in a region where respect for vehicle history and collectors' passion plays an increasingly significant role.

The new plates include first category and private license numbers for classic cars, as well as first category numbers for motorcycles. The goal is for them to meet contemporary expectations in both appearance and regulatory environment while respecting the historical significance of classic vehicles.

The Role of Emirates Auction Partnership

The license plates will be sold not by traditional means but through the Emirates Auction. This partnership allows the plates to be accessible to a wider audience, especially to those looking for uniqueness not only in their vehicles but also in their license plates. The auction system allows for competitive pricing while ensuring the exclusivity tied to the plates.

The auction format is not a new phenomenon in the UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi regularly organize license plate auctions, where some number combinations sell for millions of dirhams. However, the novelty of the recently announced move is that it specifically opens up this opportunity for classic vehicles and motorcycles, providing the community of collectors and enthusiasts with a new dimension in vehicle ownership.

Elevating the Classic Vehicle Community

In recent years, there has been a noticeable growth in interest for classic vehicles in the UAE, particularly in the areas of Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Regularly held veteran vehicle exhibitions, car parades, and club events all indicate that this subculture is strongly present at the intersection of transportation and culture.

Sharjah's decision to create a separate license plate category for these vehicles both recognizes this community and contributes to preserving the value of classic vehicles. Owning an official, special license plate increases a vehicle's value and status — not to mention it gives car owners the opportunity to express their passion and uniqueness even more.

Quality, Diversity, and Development

Sharjah police's statement emphasized that the introduction of the new plates is not just a design issue. The aim is to offer vehicle owners high-quality and diverse options that align with institutions' efforts to develop transportation services. This fits into the broader strategy aimed at digitizing, standardizing, and making the UAE's transportation systems user-friendly.

The new license plate category serves both practicality — making a classic vehicle more easily identifiable — and the experience that an owner lives through in their relationship with their car. Classic vehicles are not just simple means of transportation: they tell stories, represent style, and evoke emotions.

Regional Trend and International Attention

This initiative is also significant on a regional level. In the Arabian Gulf countries, there are increasing examples of transportation serving not just as infrastructure but as a cultural and touristic tool. The preferential treatment of classic vehicles, the auction-based license plate sales, and the integration of visual identity all contribute to making the UAE — and within it, Sharjah — an attractive destination for car enthusiasts.

This does not escape the attention of international collectors when a country provides systemic support for the preservation of classic cars. Thus, the introduction of new license plates can increase Sharjah's recognition in this area both locally and internationally.

Summary

Sharjah's new license plate category is an important milestone for fans of classic vehicles and motorcycles. The measure simultaneously signals respect for the past and confidence in the future. The transparent and exciting sales model ensured by the involvement of Emirates Auction, shows that in the UAE vehicle ownership has long surpassed functionality to become a matter of identity, status, and passion. Those who own a classic vehicle can now complete its story with a worthy license plate.

(Source: Based on Emirates Auction press release.)