SAA Number Plate: Punjab series
SAA is reserved for government vehicles in Punjab.
Punjab universal semi-government series (SAA 1–998).
- Code
- SAA
- City
- Not tied to one city
- Province
- Punjab
- Issued
- from Aug 2020
How to verify a vehicle with SAA plates
- Open the Punjab MTMIS vehicle search.
- Type the registration number exactly as printed, for example LEA-1234 or LEC-19-123.
- Check the owner name, make, colour, engine and chassis numbers against the file and the smart card.
- The same page shows whether token tax is paid and up to which date.
Before buying, check that the engine and chassis numbers in the Excise record match the numbers stamped on the vehicle, and that the token is paid up to 2026-27. Unpaid tokens usually have to be cleared before a transfer goes through.
2026-27 yearly tax on SAA cars
Vehicles with SAA plates are on Punjab's register, so Punjab's rates apply wherever the owner lives.
| Vehicle type | Token tax (annual) | Total: Filer | Total: Non-filer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800cc Car | Rs 20,000 (one time) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 1,800 |
| 1000cc Car | Rs 20,000 (one time) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 1,800 |
| 1300cc Car | Rs 15,000 | Rs 17,700 | Rs 20,200 |
| 1800cc Car | Rs 27,000 | Rs 31,700 | Rs 36,200 |
Totals include FBR section 234 withholding tax. Where token tax depends on price, an example price is used. Full Punjab schedule
Transferring SAA vehicles: what the new owner pays
For a three-year-old 1300cc car (example price Rs 5,000,000), a filer pays about Rs 15,625 in 2026-27 and a non-filer Rs 26,125.
| Tax or fee | Filer | Non-filer |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | Rs 9,075 | Rs 9,075 |
| Smart card fee | Rs 1,300 | Rs 1,300 |
| Advance income tax on transfer (231B) | Rs 5,250 | Rs 15,750 |
How Punjab numbers its plates
Before 2006 Punjab plates were issued by hand with a district stem and a running letter, such as LO, LX and LR in Lahore or ST in Sialkot. From October 2006 computerised plates added the registration year, so a Lahore car reads LEA-07-1234. On 19 August 2020 Punjab dropped district series and moved to province-wide numbers: private cars start at AAA, commercial vehicles at CAA and government vehicles at GAA, with motorcycles in their own series. A Punjab plate issued after August 2020 therefore does not tell you the city. Since 1 September 2025 the number is linked to the owner's CNIC and stays with the owner when the vehicle is sold.
Other Punjab codes
Common questions
Which city is SAA number plate from?
SAA is a Punjab-wide series and does not point to a single city. The registering office shows up in the Excise online record for the vehicle.
How do I verify a vehicle with SAA plates online?
Enter the full registration number (for example SAA-1234) on the Punjab Excise portal: mtmis.excise.punjab.gov.pk
What is the 2026-27 yearly tax on a 1300cc car with SAA plates?
At Punjab's 2026-27 rates a filer pays Rs 17,700 a year (Token tax (annual) Rs 15,000; Professional tax Rs 200; Withholding tax with token (234) Rs 2,500).
Can a vehicle with SAA plates move to another province?
Yes. A change of owner within Punjab keeps the same number. To move the vehicle permanently to another province you take an NOC from Punjab Excise and re-register it in the new province.
Source: tribune.com.pk