Temporary car number plates are issued by national licensing agencies, such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK, so that cars can be used until the permanent car registration number becomes available. This often applies when a vehicle has been imported or has been built from a kit.

Temporary car number plates have the same legal characteristics as do regular registration plates. That is, they have to identify the car and its owner by being on the DVLA database. Temporary car number plates have to be clearly legible, with the code consisting of a combination of numbers and letters. Unlike regular number plates however, temporary number plates can be displayed in the window of the car, rather than on the bumper at the front and back of the vehicle.

Temporary number plates, as the name indicates, are only legally valid for a short period of time. National licensing agencies will send out regular number plates without much delay, so that the vehicle can quickly become more standardised from the point of view of registration. In some countries, the particular time limit of a temporary number plate is clearly indicated on the plate itself, meaning policing authorities can verify this. Failure to replace a temporary number plate within the specified time can lead to a fine.

Temporary number plates should not be confused with personalised number plates.  These are completely different and are legal throughout a car’s length of life on the road.

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The rear wheel drive S-Class saloon is truly another triumph from Mercedes. This is definitely a car for the discreet and image-conscious driver and its attractive sleek and curvaceous design easily makes it stand out from the crowd. Inside the vehicle, you will feel as though you are in your own little world, as double-glazed windows mean that not a decibel of wind-noise gets through, while the complete lack of road rumble will make you feel as though you’re driving on air.

There are a total of five different engines in this range. The 3litre petrol and diesel and 3.5 litre V6 varieties come in various guises and are excellent options to choose from. The standard diesel engines achieve a respectable 34mpg, but for true speed junkies the S65 AMG is easily the chariot of choice, reaching 62mph in less than 4.5 seconds. 

When it comes to road handling, the S-Class comes into a league of its own. In standard mode, it is basically just a regular saloon, but switch on the ‘Optional Active Body Control’ and you will be truly at one with the machine. Anti-roll bars are adjusted, via the engines software and this makes a huge difference to the handling at both high and low speeds.

The engine and bodywork of the Mercedes S-Class is what has made this vehicle truly iconic for Mercedes and it wouldn’t be in keeping with the company’s strict protocol if the interior didn’t live up to such a high reputation. The level of comfort is what takes the S-Class into the ‘luxury’ category. Heated and massaging seats make any long journey an absolute pleasure, while acres of legroom in the back and front is sure to keep everyone happy. Even with all this spaciousness, the designers have still managed to squeeze in a 560litre boot.

It would be fair to say that there is no other car in this sector that can reach the bar set by the S-Class. When people think Mercedes, this is the model that will instantly come to mind, classic body shape, supreme comfort and blissful drivability. All combine to set this car way ahead of its closest competitors.

Having said all that, success doesn’t come cheap. With a price range of £53,879 to £144,880, this vehicle has become fairly exclusive and tax and insurance work to prevent make the S-Class being an attractive option for many. On the flip side, one great advantage of buying from Mercedes is that their products enjoy high residual values and the S-Class is sure to be on many people’s wish lists for many years to come.

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Obtaining a private number plate for your car can often be done at auction if the plate number you desire is one that has been withheld by DVLA for later sale as a cherished plate.  The prices obtained for some of these plates has been astounding, while other go for a quite reasonable price.  As with all auctions, the price a given plate sells for will be determined partly by the letters and numbers on the plate, as well as how many other people are bidding on that plate.

Recently a new world record for UK number plates was set when the plate number M 1 sold for an amazing £331,500.  Even more amazing, the plate was purchased by a doting grandfather on behalf of his six-year-old grandson!  It may be a while until we see this plate actually on the road, but when we do, we’ll see a legacy passed down from one generation to another.

When the Pope visited Ireland, number plate VIP 1 was auctioned for £285,000 and affixed to the ‘Popemobile’.  Another high price was commanded by personalised plate number F1, which sold for £144,500 in 2009. 

Should you not care for the auction format or not need a plate quite that expensive, remember that there are also websites dedicated to the search for and purchase of private number plates.  Input a combination of letters and numerals you would like and the search engine will tell you if it’s available. 

A personalised plate is a wonderful alternative to a cherished plate, especially if you cherish your money.  You can obtain a special plate and still have money left in the bank!

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You are only allowed to take your vehicle out of the UK if it meets the criteria of a direct or personal export scheme.  If the vehicle is being purchased under the direct export scheme, it cannot be used on UK roads prior to being taken abroad.  You will not be required to pay the vehicle first registration fee or the vehicle’s taxes.

Local DVLA offices which handle direct export schemes are located in the cities of Wimbledon, Northampton, Chelmsford, and Birmingham.  Either the applicant or the manufacturer should return the correct portion of the V308 (direct export certificate) to the DVLA once the vehicle has been exported.

You can operate a vehicle in the UK under the personal export scheme, but only for a limited time prior to exporting it to another country outside of the EU (European Union).  You must be a UK resident or an international visitor in the UK who intends to reside for six months outside of the UK.  As a UK resident, you are allowed to use it outside the country for a period of up to six months.  However, the vehicle will still have to be taxed.

You can take care of any vehicular personal export schemes at DVLA offices located in the cities of Wimbledon, Stockton, Oxford, Norwich, Northampton, Manchester, Maidstone, Lincoln, Leeds, Glasgow, Chelmsford, Bristol, Birmingham, and Beverley.  For more information regarding this issue, you should contact your local area DVLA office or visit their website.

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Once you have passed your driving test, you need to make sure you keep on top of your driving skills and make sure you don’t fall into any bad habits, remembering the skills you were taught as a learner driver by your instructor. After you have passed your test you can take a pass plus course offered by your driving school in Liverpool, here you will learn more essential driving techniques which include how to drive safely at night and on a motorway, plus more.

Every year thousands of people in the UK are injured on the roads, either as drivers, passengers or pedestrians, so it’s important to remember basic driving skills you have been taught whether you are a new driver or if you have been driving for many years, so these accidents are reduced. You also need the right attitude when driving, a bad attitude can lead to more careless mistakes been made and more dangerous risks been taken. You need to make sure you stay positive when driving and try not to become stressed out at other drivers, if you stay cool and collected in the car you are more capable of concentrating on any potential hazards and you will be more focused and will be able to better anticipate any hazards.

If you feel that your standard of driving may not be up to scratch or if you are a nervous driver or if you have not driven for a while you can take a driving refresher course at your local driving school in Liverpool. Here a qualified instructor will be able to get you back on track with the skills you require at your pace, you may not need to do a full course however a few lessons may be all it takes to get you where you need to be with your driving ability.

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If like many 17 year olds, you have your provisional driving licence and are learning to drive with a driving school in Bury St Edmunds, you will no doubt be anxious to do your theory test and driving test.

It is recommended that you do your theory test and hazard perception test after just a few lessons because they do not necessarily need practical knowledge and can be learnt from the Highway Code and practicing online.

Once you have passed your theory and hazard perception tests you can they concentrate on your driving test. Most pupils take between 20 and 30 driving lessons before taking their driving test and with driving schools in Bury St Edmunds offering single lessons, block lessons or intensive driving lessons, how you decide to take yours is up to you.

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This is the car that most readily comes into your head when someone mentions the word “Volvo”: big, solid, safe and practical. The new generation V70 is wonderfully spacious, with superb seats and a fabulous, ergonomically designed dash, pared to elegant simplicity. The boot offers 745 litres of space which extends to 1641 litres with the rear seats folded. And it isn’t just a box: inside the boot you’ll find nets, tie-downs and hooks in abundance, so you can keep whatever you’ve stowed from ending up looking like the aftermath of a burglary or a jumble sale at the end of the journey.

This is large, chunky estate so it clearly hasn’t been designed to hurtle along a racing circuit. But it gives a genteel, smooth ride and just isn’t remotely bothered about pretending to be sporty (even though there is a Sport model). The 2.0 litre petrol engine, to be frank, is punching above its build – it can’t quite deliver sufficient power. But the 2.0 litre diesel is very good and the top of the range T6 AWD superb. The front wheel drive handles well in a slightly workmanlike way but the four wheel drive has noticeably more tenacious traction; neither aim to be especially exciting but this car is exceptionally safe and reliable and not designed with thrill-seekers in mind. The new Volvo V70 is a lot less box-like and angular than its predecessor and looks distinctly classy.

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Private number plates have been in use for years now, but the growing interest in owning them, especially those with low numbers, also known as “cherished plates”, and has created a new category of investment vehicle – literally.  People who purchased specialised, private number plates have seen their “investment” appreciate in value much faster than average.  In fact, even when the economy hit a rough stretch and most assets, including homes, were losing value, private registration plates continued to appreciate.

Why is this?  Basically, due to simple supply and demand.  There are a limited number of plates available, and of course there can only be one registrant per plate.  Stirling Moss, for example, has plate number ‘SM 7’.  He is the only one who can hold that plate.  Anyone who wishes to have that plate number will have to wait until such time as Sir Stirling wishes to release it.  At that point it would likely be auctioned, if not inherited by someone, and would likely fetch quite a price.

A private number plate has many of the qualities associated with investment material; it is rare, and can be highly sought by collectors.  There is a way to register ownership as well, and it’s unlikely to be stolen, as once displayed in public its whereabouts would be immediately known since the whole point of a private number plate is to display it on your vehicle. 

There are several companies who offer number plates for sale, and if you’re searching for private registration plates, this is a very good place to start.  But because they are considered collectibles by many people, the prices can climb quite quickly.  For example, plate ‘FCA 5H’ was originally purchased for £648.  It sold approximately 18 months later for £7,247, a stunning increase of over 1000%!

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Since the driving test was introduced over 75 years ago 94 million tests have been completed, and with more affordable cars and insurance, as well as cheaper driving lessons the demand is set to grow even further. Driving schools in Liverpool and Birmingham have seen demand grow significantly over the past few years with more and more students taking up driving at a younger age.

Since its introduction in 1935, the driving test has got significantly harder, due mainly to new traffic laws and the introduction of the theory test and hazard perception test. In 1935, 63% of drivers passed their driving test, but by 2004 only 43% of drivers passed the test.

So with over half the driving test takers failing, it is more important than ever to pick a recognised driving school, regardless of whether it’s a driving school in Birmingham or in your local area.

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If you are considering leasing a brand new Mini for your company or for yourself, you have to decide first what type of leasing or finance method you will choose in order to secure it. Two of the most popular vehicle leasing methods are contract hire and daily rental.

Among the most consistently availed Mini car leasing option is contract hire. Often, contract hire is considered the easiest method to manage and the most cost-effective. Basically, contract hire allows you to drive the car you leased as if you own it, but actually you don’t. Here, you will agree with the car management or owner, as to how long you can use the Mini, as stipulated in the contract. Once the contract expires, you will have to return the car.

What if you need the Mini for only a few days? Then, daily car rental solves your concern. This leasing option works the same as contract hire; however, daily rental works for a shorter period of time. Usually, in daily rentals, car companies outline and impose various rules with which the leaser has to comply.

Usually when taking out a daily rental you will have to comply with a number of rules outlined by the daily rental company. For instance, you will be compelled to drive the car only up to the mileage limit set by the company. You also have to return it in the same condition as you rented it; that is, you must make sure to fill up the car with the same amount of petrol when you return it as it had when you first rented it.

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