5 Easy Steps To Buy Number Plates For Your Car

In this article, we will examine how the system for buying beautiful number plates works and how complicated the bureaucratic procedure for buying them is. Spoiler alert: Not difficult at all.

The numbers on the plate reflect not only the region of registration but also the car's age. They provide essential information about the owner of the vehicle. While being on the road, you can monitor any road user. So when a person thinks of buying a new number plate, confusion takes over him. But there is nothing to worry about. You can buy a number plate by following five simple steps.

Step-By-Step Guide To Buy A Number Plate

The following steps can guide any car user to pick the right number plate for their vehicle.

1- Analyze The Number Plate

The modern number in England consists of three parts: The first two letters indicate the region of registration, followed by two digits containing data on the date of registration. While the third block is three arbitrary letters or numbers in any combination.

Well, the last block of three characters is the part where you can give free rein to your imagination. Especially if it can organize an exciting continuation of the previous four characters. Choosing appropriate numbers for your car is the first step for buying a license plate.

However, you cannot just select any number for your number plate; there are some legal restrictions:

Firstly, the license plate cannot contain any stylized number or letter.
You cannot add any background image
Only approved flag images, along with the numbers and letters, can be put on the license plate.
Combinations of letters that may be considered offensive are prohibited.
Words in other languages are not allowed.

While analyzing the number plate, make sure it adheres to the British standard. Otherwise, you will be liable for a fine.

2- See If The Price Is In Your Budget

The price of a license plate depends on various factors. The private number plates are more expensive than the standard ones. Here are the elements that determine the cost of a number plate:

Uniqueness
Popularity
Style of Plate
Age of the plate
Number and relevance of numbers

If you don't have enough budget to spend on getting a personalized plate, you should buy the standard one. Simple and beautiful numbers are not very expensive - for example, if your name is Jon, you can order yourself a JON 3594 number at a lesser price. The more personalized you will try to make it, the more expensive it will get. For example, to get "JON 3333" you will have to pay more money. So choose the plate that fits in your budget.

3- Modern VS Old Number Plates

However, in addition to the modern type of license plates, the old ones are still in use. So decide whether you want to get an old number plate or modern ones. The old plates had other alphabetic and numerical prefixes, carrying information about the date and place of issue. But the most interesting and valuable are the numbers issued before 1963.

They did not yet contain the obligatory information about the date of issue - which means that such a plate can be hung on a car of any model year.
And the second unique advantage is that such numbers consisted of two blocks, each of which could contain from 1 to 3 characters: that is, the unique "F 1" or "5 FO" hails from those distant times.
They are more expensive than the new ones.

4- Buy The Number Plate From The Auction

After going through the first three steps, now you have to make the purchase. As already mentioned, anyone can buy a license plate to their liking if there would be enough money. Moreover, both private companies and DVLA itself - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, sell the plates.

To buy a number in DVLA, you need to participate in the auction held throughout the country about six times a year. And the list of license plates that will be put up for sale can be studied on the official website in advance to determine for yourself a list of exciting lots.

You can place a bet on purchasing a license plate both in person and by phone or via the Internet. Having won the lot, you will only have to pay for it and then receive a special certificate confirming the number's registration in your name.

5- Purchase Directly From The Owner Or Dealer

However, you can do without these complications by contacting a private dealer or buying a number directly from the owner. With the purchase from an individual, everything is clear. You can see the plate yourself and make the purchase. It's even more comfortable with a dealer: you choose a number from the catalog he has, pays the indicated amount, and in the shortest possible time, you will receive a fresh set of license plates and registration documents with delivery.

But you need to beware of the scammers; there are many cases in which they clone fake number plate and sell it at higher prices. Therefore, it is better to use the trusted channels to make this purchase; otherwise, you might have to face some severe consequences.

Final Thoughts

For buying a number plate, you need to make sure that the registration you are going to purchase can be placed on your vehicle. Shortly, at each step, you need to follow the rules and the laws. And if you are out of ideas for getting a number plate, you can observe the other cars on the road and make the purchase decision while staying within the law boundary.

The more money you will spend, the unique number plate you can get for your car. And the easiest way is to contact a dealer, so you won't have to do any paperwork, but make sure the dealer is a trusted person.