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.

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!

Cherished number plates, especially those costing high amounts, are often viewed as investments which go up in value over time.  The very first plate, now lost to time, was plate A 1 issued in 1903 when the numbering scheme first became law.  Should that plate somehow be located, it would fetch millions of pounds at auction.  While it is illegal to use a car registration to make your vehicle appear newer than it is, there is no such prohibition on making your car appear older. 

Regardless of age, however, many people enjoy the novelty of having a say in the car number plate on their vehicle.  There are several private companies that can supply someone with a private number plate or several private registration plates for all your vehicles, and the DVLA periodically holds auctions of cherished number plates that have been withheld from public consumption.  Many of the private companies also offer a “plate search” service, which allows you to input the plate number you would like.  It will tell you if a plate meeting your requirements, or close to your requirements, is available.

Of course, the price may need to be negotiated, and it may become a little expensive for a plate with special significance to both you and the seller.  However, cherished number plates have proven to be a good investment over time, which requires little in the way of maintenance and upkeep.  For those looking to invest without much worry, this might be the option for you.

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%!

Other car number plates can be valued as collector items due to their colour, regional origin, shape and / or size and historical peculiarities. Particular combinations of numbers and / or letters can be valued for their rarity or special value. Personalised car number plates, also known as vanity or cherished number plates, are among the most highly valued and collectible.  These can be very expensive and are usually registered index marks displayed on a vehicle being used.  In all cases however, unless national licensing authorities have given specific legal consent, collected car number plates cannot be displayed on a vehicle being driven on a public road.

Collectible car number plates are often offered at auctions. Other collectors browse through old junk sales, garage sales, car scrap yards, and so on, hunting for these collectors’ items. In some countries, specific collectors’ associations have been set up, such as the Automobile Licence Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) in the US. In recent years, the number of website and social media sites devoted to collecting private number plates has grown greatly in number.

The real atmosphere is at the auction, so bidding onsite is a great idea; however telephone and internet bidding facilities are also offered. The DVLA registrations website has a list of future auctions and has a downloadable PDF catalogue of all the number plates for sale. Once you’ve looked at the catalogue and picked a number (or numbers), you then need to choose your bidding method, complete the application to register, and return it by fax or mail.

The DVLA registrations website has a list of prices achieved at previous auctions, which will give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for a personalised plate. The great thing about these auctions is that you will be paying market price, not the price set by a third party, who may or may not be reasonable. It is also important to consider DVLA auctions, due to the number of unscrupulous sellers that charge an apparently attractive price for rare plates and later fail to deliver the plates. Because it is the DVLA selling the plates, you will have no trouble with transferring ownership after purchase.

As with any auction, remember to set a maximum price before you go to the venue, all the excitement can easily prompt you to shell out far more money than you originally intended.

UK car number plates, from 1 September 2001, have to display the combination of letters and numbers making up the unique registration number in a sans serif font. This was introduced in order to enhance the reading capabilities of automatic number plate recognition systems (ANPR), as well as with the human eye.

The size of the letters and numbers is regulated to be between 50 and 79 millimetres high, with the width set at 14 millimetres. A space in between letters / numbers is 11 millimetres, and the space between a grouped set of letters / numbers is 33 millimetres. Legally allowed car number plates decorations or accessories include national symbols such as flags or national denotation symbols such as GB for Great Britain, SCO for Scotland and so on.

UK car number plates are required to be white at the front of the vehicle, and yellow at the back. On the car number plate itself, other than the series of unique letters / numbers and unobtrusive national symbols, nothing else is allowed. For antique or other vintage cars, some exceptions to the rules are made. Black plates, which used to be in circulation, are still allowed on older cars, providing they are legible.

In the UK, there are two ways in which you can protect the rights to your plate registration.  You can have your number plate registered to a specific vehicle or you can retain that number by virtue of what is referred to as a “retention” certificate.  When you have completed the purchase of your number plate, it is imperative that you protect your rights as being the registered owner.

The V5 document (or logbook) is your proof of ownership and contains your name.  If the number plate is held by retention certificate your name typically appears at the top of that document.  Retention certificates have a one year lifespan, although you will need to have it renewed (for a £25 fee) within 28 days of the certificate’s expiration date.  If you fail to pay the fee, you could lose the number completely. 

In order to apply for this type of car registration, you need to:

- Complete DVLA Form V55/5 which is available at your local DVLA office
- Complete DVLA Form V765
- Provide the DVLA with the most current photograph of the vehicle in your possession as well as all related documentary evidence.  This includes the original V5 log book, a MOT certificate, or a pre-1983 tax disc.  Any of these must link the vehicle to its original car registration number.

You should then send the application to either a relevant authorised enthusiasts club, or owners club, and have them endorse the document.  They will not obligate you to join their club.  However, they will most likely charge you a fee for the service.  Additionally, the club may request that they have the opportunity to inspect your vehicle before completing this procedure.  In any event, your local area DVLA office will have the latest information regarding this.

Today, many individuals have found the private number plates they have been looking for by visiting certain websites such as “eBay” or “Loot.”  One of the advantages is that the seller can arrange the transferring of the private number plates straight from their vehicle to your vehicle.  Additionally, they can transfer the number plate to a Certificate of Entitlement or a retention certificate if you choose that course of action.  What this means is that you will be named as the “nominee” and then you will have to complete the transferring of the personalised registration to your vehicle in due course.

You can also do this if you do not currently have a vehicle to assign the private number plates and registration to.  However, it will be up to the seller to ask the DVLA that your name is placed on a Certificate of Entitlement.  This gives you the right to assign your private plate numbers and registration to a vehicle at a later date.  Please visit the DVLA website before you proceed with purchasing your private number plates so that you are aware of all the guidelines that need to be followed by both purchaser and seller.