This guy’s ride just got worth a whole lot more.

Dhs33 million more, in fact.

Why? Because he’s just laid down that massive sum on a new number plate.

Indian businessman Balwinder Sahani paid the equivalent of US$9 million for the coveted accessory at the Roads and Transport Authority’s licence plate auction this weekend.

Sahani, who owns property management company RSG International, is quite the number plate collector, though this appears to be the priciest one he’s picked up so far.

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“I like collecting unique number plates and I am proud to have got this number. I like number nine and D5 adds up to nine, so I went for it,” he told Gulf News, revealing that he spent Dhs25 million on a O9 plate last year.

“I have collected 10 number plates so far and I am looking forward to having more. It’s a passion.”

His latest acquisition will adorn one of his Rolls Royces – a car you now definitely don’t want to prang while parallel parking.

The government auction started at Dhs2o million for the prized plate, and Sahani also paid Dhs1 million for another plate.

Three hundred bidders attended the bi-monthly auction, where 80 licence plates were up for grabs, and all proceeds will go to the RTA.

As huge as Dhs33 million is, it’s not the most that’s ever been shelled out for a short number.

Businessman Saeed Al Khouri paid a record Dhs52 million for the No 1 licence plate in Abu Dhabi in 2008. Comparatively, Emirati businessman Arif Al Zarooni bought the No 1 plate in Sharjah for Dhs18 million this year.

And we all know who’s the No 1 driver in Dubai…

sheikh mohammed

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Image: Twitter/104.8 Channel 4