[Vehicle Registration Mark eAuction] A Complete Guide to Online Bidding for License Plates | Comparison of 3 Bidding Methods | Bidding Skills

The Transport Department’s personalized vehicle registration number service has long been popular among Hong Kong vehicle owners. Previously, bidding for registration numbers required attending the auction venue in person, which was limited by time and location. The Transport Department has now launched the 'e-Auction' service, allowing vehicle owners interested in bidding for personalized registration numbers to do so online. This time, Kwiksure provides an in-depth explanation of the registration steps and auction process of e-Auction, and introduces three different bidding methods, enabling vehicle owners to easily bid for their desired registration numbers.

What is e-Auction?

"e-Auction" is an online platform developed by the Transport Department that allows the public to bid for vehicle registration numbers, pay auction fees, and receive related information via computers or mobile devices. Currently, only traditional vehicle registration numbers are available for online bidding. The first online auction will be held on February 20, 2025. According to the Transport Department, two online auctions are expected to be held each month, each lasting 5 days (starting at 12:00 noon on Day 1 and ending at 12:00 noon on Day 5). Initially, about 50 to 100 vehicle registration numbers will be available for online auction.

e-Auction｜Registration Method

If you plan to use e-Auction, you must first register on the e-Auction website. Registration can be done via "iAM Smart+" or by email. Registering via iAM Smart+ requires only uploading proof of address, making it simpler and faster than email registration.

“iAM Smart+” Registration

When registering using the "iAM Smart" mobile app, applicants must upgrade to "iAM Smart+" to quickly and conveniently complete online identity verification and use digital signature functions to participate in bidding.

Step 1: Automatically import personal data from iAM Smart

Step 2: Upload or automatically import a billing address from iAM Smart as proof of address (valid within 3 months)

Step 3: Account registration successful

Email Registration

When registering with an email address, applicants must hold a valid electronic certificate and personally visit the Licensing Office, Vehicle Registration Number Assignment Group, or physical auction venue for identity verification at a designated time.

Step 1: Enter personal information

Step 2: Upload proof of address (valid within 3 months)

Step 3: Submit electronic certificate

Step 4: Submit application

Step 5: The user must personally visit the Licensing Office, Vehicle Registration Number Assignment Group, or physical auction venue at the designated time for identity verification to complete registration

e-Auction｜Bidding Process and Methods

Step 1: Log in to your e-Auction account

Step 2: On the homepage, click "Vehicle Registration Number Auction" to view available registration numbers for bidding, or use the search function to check your desired registration number, starting price, number of bids, and auction start time.

Step 3: Click on your desired registration number to see its statutory format.

Step 3: Place your bid and provide a digital signature

Entering the bidding phase, bids are accepted starting 5 days before the auction. Currently, there are 3 bidding methods available: "Single Bid," "Automatic Bidding During Auction," and "Preset Automatic Bidding Before Auction."

• Single Bid

During the auction, manually enter your bid price and submit a single bid.

• Automatic Bidding During Auction

Select "Automatic Bidding During Auction" and set a "maximum amount." During the auction, the system will automatically bid on your behalf, increasing the current price by HKD 1,000 each time until reaching the preset maximum bid. Remember, once the bid amount is confirmed, you cannot lower it or cancel "Automatic Bidding During Auction." Additionally, the auction platform will automatically start bidding from the current price up to the set maximum amount.

• Preset Automatic Bidding Before Auction

You can set a "maximum amount" within 5 days before the auction starts (no later than 30 minutes before auction start), which is the upper limit of your bid for that registration number. From 30 minutes before the auction starts until it ends, you cannot lower, change, or cancel the preset automatic bid. After the auction starts, the platform will automatically bid from the starting price up to your set maximum amount.

Step 4: Winning the registration number and payment

Once you successfully win a vehicle registration number, you will receive a confirmation email with payment instructions. Payment must be made within 48 hours of receiving the confirmation email. Payment methods include credit card, iAM Smart, or Faster Payment System (FPS). If the winning bid is HKD 30,000 or above, you may choose to pay in two installments.

Note: Applicants who have paid a HKD 1,000 deposit to reserve a vehicle registration number for auction must also register as e-Auction users and participate online; otherwise, the reserved number may be sold to others at the reserve price.

Two Key Factors Determine the Winner

The e-Auction bidding system determines the winning bidder based on two factors - price and time. First, "price" is straightforward: the highest bid wins. Time refers to the bid submission time. For example, if bidder A sets a preset automatic bid of HKD 5,000 before the auction, and bidder B submits a single bid of HKD 5,000 during the auction, although both bids are HKD 5,000, the system awards the win to the earlier bid, bidder A.

The same applies to automatic bidding during the auction. Whether other bidders use single bids or preset automatic bids, if the bids are the same, the system uses the bid submission time as the deciding factor. In other words, if you want to be sure to win, it is recommended to use "Preset Automatic Bidding Before Auction," otherwise you must outbid others during the auction period.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for e-Auction?

Registration can be done via "iAM Smart+" or email. Registering via iAM Smart+ requires only uploading proof of address, making it simpler and faster than email registration.

How do I place bids on e-Auction?

There are currently 3 bidding methods: "Single Bid," "Automatic Bidding During Auction," and "Preset Automatic Bidding Before Auction." Bids are accepted starting 5 days before the auction.