DVLA Urges Drivers to Renew Expired Licenses

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is reminding motorists who passed their driving test before 2014 to check the validity of their licenses. Drivers with photocard licenses issued prior to 2014 must renew them every ten years to ensure the image remains an accurate representation of the holder. Failure to adhere to this requirement could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

The DVLA's renewed focus on license renewals stems from concerns that a significant number of drivers may be unaware of the ten-year renewal period. This could be particularly prevalent among older drivers who may not have been actively driving for an extended period.

To verify the validity of their licenses, drivers can check the expiration date printed on the photocard. If the license has expired, it must be renewed promptly to avoid legal repercussions. The renewal process can be completed online or by mail.

The DVLA's reminder serves as a crucial step in ensuring road safety and maintaining accurate driver records. By encouraging timely license renewals, the DVLA aims to prevent potential complications and uphold the integrity of the driving license system.

Car Number Plate Thefts on the Rise in Bedford

Bedford Police are urging residents to be vigilant following a recent spate of car number plate thefts across the town.

Officers have received reports of several incidents in recent weeks, with thieves targeting vehicles parked in a variety of locations, including residential streets, car parks, and supermarket forecourts.

Police believe the thieves are stealing the number plates to use on other vehicles, either to avoid detection while committing crimes or to disguise the identity of a stolen car.

Inspector David Jones said:

"We are aware of a number of car number plate thefts across Bedford in recent weeks and we are urging residents to be vigilant.

"Please make sure your car number plates are securely attached to your vehicle and consider using anti-theft screws or other security measures.

"If you see anyone acting suspiciously around parked cars, please report it to the police immediately."

Here are some tips to help prevent car number plate theft:

Park your car in a well-lit area.
If possible, park your car in a garage or behind a locked gate.
Use anti-theft screws or other security measures to attach your number plates to your vehicle.
Be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
If you have had your car number plates stolen, please report it to the police immediately.

You can also report crime online or by calling 101.

Bedford Police are committed to tackling car number plate theft and are working to identify and apprehend those responsible.

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.

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