Cruising with Character Your Guide to Getting a Personalised Number Plate
Reg Plates ArticleChoose a first letter to see two-letter combinations
Cruising with Character Your Guide to Getting a Personalised Number Plate

Craving a dash of flair for your beloved car? A personalised number plate might be the perfect upgrade. Imagine rolling down the highway with a plate that speaks your personality, celebrates a milestone, or sparks a smile. But before you embark on this personalised journey, let's navigate the steps smoothly:
1. Hunt for Your Treasure:
The adventure begins with finding the ideal plate. Dive into the vast ocean of possibilities! Online databases like those from Regplates.com offer a treasure trove of options. Filter by initials, dates, lucky numbers, or even witty wordplay. Remember, uniqueness comes at a price, so be prepared to negotiate or adjust your expectations.
2. Secure Your Prize:
Once you've found your soul plate, the acquisition process begins. If buying from a private dealer, ensure they're reputable and follow necessary paperwork procedures. For purchases directly from the DVLA, utilize their online or postal application forms. Don't forget the transfer fee - a small investment for a big personality boost.
3. Assign and Attach:
Now, the plate needs a home! You can either assign it to a registered vehicle (yours or someone else's) or simply hold onto it for future use. For assigning, fill out the DVLA's V317 form and submit it with your logbook and fee. Remember, plates can't be assigned to vehicles with outstanding penalties or finance agreements.
4. Plate Up!:
With the paperwork settled, it's time to materialize your new identity. Authorized number plate makers, easily found online or through dealers, are your trusted allies. Ensure they adhere to DVLA regulations and provide high-quality, reflective plates. Remember, displaying non-compliant plates can attract hefty fines.
5. Keep the Show Rolling:
Congratulations! Your personalised plate is proudly adorning your vehicle. But the journey doesn't end there. Every ten years, you'll need to renew your retention fee to keep your cherished plate legal and yours.
Beyond the Basics:
Decoding plate lingo: Cherish that "cherished number"? It's a plate older than 40 years! Or maybe you snagged a "dateless" plate, free from year identifiers.
Think ahead: Planning to sell your car with the plate? Check if it's transferable or needs separate sale.
Respect the road: Personalized plates aren't a license for bad behavior. Drive responsibly and let your plate's character shine for all the right reasons.
Getting a personalised number plate is more than just acquiring a piece of metal. It's about expressing yourself, making a statement, and adding a touch of fun to your everyday drive. So, follow these steps, choose wisely, and get ready to turn heads with your own customized slice of the road. Now, buckle up and let your personality plate lead the way!
So what are the top selling number plates in the UK? The DVLA has been selling private plates to UK motorists since 1989. During this time, there have been a number of records set, but most of the top 10 have been bought in the past 15 years. Here’s what currently makes the list:
- 25 0 – A Ferrari dealer bought this for £518k in 2014. It is now on a £10 million Ferrari 250 SWB.
- F 1 – A businessman, Afzal Khan, bought this for £440k in 2008 and put it on his McLaren-Mercedes SLR.
- S 1 – This was bought in 2008 for £404k by an anonymous buyer.
- 1 D – Businessman Nabil Bishara bought this plate in 2009 (before One Direction was formed, so it is not a reference to the band) for £352k.
- M 1 – Businessman Mike McCoomb bought this number plate in 2006 for £331k, apparently for his son, who was 10 at the time.
- VIP 1 – Chelsea owner and businessman Roman Abramovich bought this plate for £285k in 2006.
- 51 NGH – This number plate, which looks like the surname Singh, was sold in 2006 for £254k.
- 1 RH – Businessman Robert Haverson bought this in 2006 for £247k.
- K1 NGS – This reg plate, which looks like the word “kings”, was bought anonymously in 1993 for £231k.
- 1 0 – This very simple but striking number plate was bought anonymously in 2009 for £170k.
These are large amounts of money, but they are all small compared to the top-selling number plates found in other parts of the world. Abu Dhabi, in the UAE, has the record for the most expensive number plate ever sold. That number plate was a simple “1”. It was bought in 2008 by businessman Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri for £7.25 million.
- FREE TRANSFER SERVICE - your paperwork is handled by our trained team
- OVER 30 YEARS EXPERTISE - long established and trusted company
- DVLA RECOGNISED RESELLER - linked directly from the DVLA website
- TRADE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS - MIRAD and CN Guild members

