Personalised and Private Number Plates

What are Personalised Number Plates?

Personalised Number Plates (also known as Private Number Plates) are registration plates that are transferred onto vehicles by their owners to replace the vehicle's original number plates. 

The owner of the vehicle will have paid to have his or her own choice of numbers or letters (from the choice available), usually forming a recognisable phrase, slogan, or initials to make it a personalised number plate. 

When a vehicle's owner purchases a private number plate, it replaces the vehicle's original registration plate.

Since 1963, in England, Scotland, and Wales, every registration number plate has a date stamp: letters or numbers that can be used to identify what year the number plate was released, You can't use a number plate that makes your vehicle look newer than it is, so if your vehicle was first registered in 2015, you can't put a 2019 registration plate on it.

Why Buy a Personalised Number Plate?

1. Express Yourself

You can choose something that suits you – whether you want to pick a registration that matches your name, your favourite football team, a hobby or loved one. Whatever the reason, it’s a great way of personalising your vehicle.

2. Number Plates Disguise Your Vehicle’s Age

It’s against the law to buy a number plate that makes your vehicle appear younger – but you can get yourself a dateless number plate so nobody will know how old your vehicle is by looking at the number plate! 

3. Easy to Remember

If you have a personalised number plate, you’ll know it off the top of your head! No more having to double-check it when filling in forms, or when you’re asked for it. You’ll know it because you picked it yourself!

What Types of Personalised Number Plates are there?

Current Number Plates

(perfect for Ms Bitch)

(perfect for Mr Farzad)

After using the "Prefix" and "Suffix" method, the DVLA introduced a new scheme for dating number plates. This current style of registrations has been in place since 2001, and is expected to last around 50 years.

Registration numbers released in March go from 02, 03, 04, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 etc, while those released in September start at 51,52, 53, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 etc, with the numbers appearing in the middle of five letters.

Dateless Number Plates 

How Do I Buy a new Personalised Number Plate?

1. Choose Your Personalised Number Plate

   The fun part – picking your number plate! There are millions of combinations available from the styles listed above. You can browse our website or use our search function to find something that suits you. Most people go for a plate that represents their name, job, hobby, favourite football team or something else important to them. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

2. Order Your Number Plate Online
   

   You can order your new personalised number plate online – either directly on our website – or by calling us on 02866 387124 and we’ll be happy to talk you through the rest of the process.
   

   When paying for your number plate, we also offer finance options, which can be applied for online.

3. Doing the Paperwork
   

   We will require your V5C, but the good news is that we can do many transfers online while you wait on the telephone, providing your V5C is printed in your name and address and is currently taxed.
   

   You will also need to notify your Insurance Company once the transfer is completed.

4. Getting Physical Number Plates for your Vehicle
   

   Once you’ve purchased your new registration, you’ll need new number plates to put on your vehicle. Don’t worry, we can take care of that for you too - we can supply the physical number plates priced at £20 + VAT.

5. Enjoy your new plates
   

   Once the transfer is completed, all the paperwork is out of the way and you’ve got your new physical plates on your vehicle, the only thing left to do is relax, enjoy your new number plates and show them off!

1. Do I need to transfer a Personalised Number Plate onto a vehicle immediately?
No, most of our Personalised Number Plates can be supplied on a Retention Certificate.

2. What is the transfer time for Personalised Number Plates?
The average completion time is 3-5 working days from receipt of your V5C, however, we can do many transfers online while you wait on the telephone, providing your V5C is printed in your name and address and is currently taxed.

3. Can any Personalised Number Plates go onto any vehicle?
If the number plate on your current vehicle starts with a “Q”, you will not be able to transfer a registration onto your vehicle. The DVLA issues “Q” or “QNI” to vehicles when the DVLA cannot identify their origin.

If your vehicle type does not need a MOT / HGV certificate – a tractor, for example - you will not be able to transfer a Personalised Number Plate onto it.

4. How much do I have to pay to transfer a Personalised Number Plate?
The fee is £80 to transfer a number plate onto a certificate or vehicle.

5. What happens if I need to Road Tax or MOT my vehicle when my transfer is completed?
Your MOT and TAX will be changed over electronically by the DVLA.

6. Can I buy a Personalised Number Plate for my motorcycle or moped?
Yes, as long as your vehicle is currently taxed.