Are personalised registrations still a thing?

If you're curious about whether personalised registrations are still a thing, or if you're in the market for a new plate and want to read up on what exactly is on offer and how to go about it, read on for an exploration of the private registration industry.

What is available?

It might seem like any variation is possible these days, but is that true? What can a modified registration actually look like?

There are four kinds of registration plate styles that are available today. One is the standard style used for regular licence plates that most drivers will be familiar with. This starts with two letters and finishes with three letters and includes two numbers and a space within.

Another style starts with a prefix - a single letter followed with three numbers and then three letters. This was regular practice for plates issued in Britain before September 2001. If this is all new to you, we don't blame you. The interesting part is below.

Finally, there are dateless licence plates that are the most expensive and sought after personal registration numbers. These are unique in that they don't have letters or numbers positioned like the other two formats and don't suggest towards a specific registration date or location... mysterious.

How to buy one

If you live in the UK and are looking for personalised number plates for sale, you can buy directly from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Some are also available online and can be purchased at any time depending on availability. There are also some reputable suppliers in the UK that have a large stock of plates that can be browsed.

Some personalised registration plates are so sought after that they are auctioned at specific time periods, with buyers competing with each other to take home their favourite plates.

At these auctions that are held throughout the year by DVLA, buyers can reserve plates and check what is available for sale in advance. If buyers are not able to attend in person then it is possible for them to recruit a third party to attend for them so that they can secure their desired personal registration.

Are there limits?

There are some limitations when it comes to looking for a personalised registration. The first thing is car age. It is illegal to use a registration that makes your vehicle appear younger than it actually is. This is so future buyers are not mislead.

There are also limitations as to what can actually be printed on the plate itself. Whether you are searching for a specific name or title, you may find that the characters won't work with standard regulations.

What else do you need to know?

Making a creative decision is the best part for many people who are looking to buy a personalised plate. When choosing the plate you want, a little creativity can go a long way. If not for the sake of others who will enjoy a funny registration plate driving past them, then do it for yourself.

There are so many different available options, but many great ones may already be taken. So sit down and plan what kind of image you want to project with your registration plate. Obviously if you are a professional business you won't want to be too light-hearted here, but if you are buying for a friend or family member for instance then the sky is the limit.

The trick is to be flexible. While there might be a plate that you can't live without, the likelihood is that someone else will have it already or it will be incredibly expensive to acquire. Not that you should immediately dismiss your first choice, but use it as a starting point to create a collection of different variations.

MarkHunt is a specialist in personalised number plates for sale offering first class services that rivals all industry competitors.