Personalised Number Plates - What All You Need to Know

by Mariha Smith Manager

Personalised number plates, also called private number plates, are gaining immense popularity in the UK. More and more car owners nowadays are looking for personalised number plates to give their vehicle a unique and stunning look. These plates are bought and used on DVLA (short for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) registered vehicles which are registered in mainland UK as well as Northern Ireland.

Looking for personalised number plates? There are some important things that you need to know before making that final call.

You may wish to give a new, customised look to your car with your name, initials or hobbies. You can consider a private number plate with any combination based on your interests.

So how can you use your personalised number plate?

Well, you may select to put your chosen registration mark onto your car. Or, you can keep it with you on retention until you’ve made up your mind to use it.

What are the vital DVLA rules that must be considered when displayed personalised number plates?

It’s unlawful to misrepresent the format of a number plate.
All vehicles must have current MOT (if of the necessary age) and Road Tax (or be exempt) for taking part in the government transfer scheme.
You cannot assign a registration mark to your car that gives it a younger look. If you have a 1998 vehicle with registration mark R189 UED then it is difficult for you to assign the 2005 registration mark AB05ABC onto the same.
Number plates must consist of a number.

Every year, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency or DVLA has more than 45 million personalised number plates available for people to make purchase of. This agency has been selling private number plates for more than two decades (1989 to be precise).

Being very popular in the UK, personalised number plates (depending on what level of personalisation you’re looking for) can cost an arm and a leg. However, it actually depends on the type of private number plate you’re looking for.

What are the different types of personalised number plates?

Well, there are four styles available in personalised registration plates.

1.Current Style - To begin with, the current style registration plate is the one that has consistently been in use since 2001. This private number plate is the one that comprises seven characters (two letters, two numbers and three random letters). Know that the numbers indicate the age of the vehicle.

2.Prefix Style - These style registration plates were issued in the UK between 1983 and 2001. They’re known as prefix plates due to the fact that the first letter indicates the age of the vehicle.

3.Suffix Style - These style registration plates (Suffix style) were in use in the UK between 1963 and 1983. And these plates have the age indicator at the end of the licence plate.

4.Dateless Style - These personalised number plates were used in the UK before 1963. And nothing within them indicates the age of the vehicle.

Where are the personalised number plates sold?

Look for an established dealer online that can serve you with highest quality private number plates. These reputable dealers offer their customers a personal and professional service.