- Reflectivity
- Strength
- Visibility

The following information must also be marked on your number plates according to the British Standard:

- BS AU 145d is currently the British Standard Number
- The component supplier’s or the manufacturer’s name, trade mark, and any other applicable identification information
- The supplying outlet’s name and postcode
- The Euro-symbol containing national identification letters and a non-reflective border are optional additions
- NO other markings or materials are allowed to be displayed on your number plates

Additionally, there are a few other rules and regulations to be aware of where adhering to the British Standard is concerned.  First of all, the manufacturer must be registered DVLA’s RNPS (Register of Number Plate Suppliers).  For proof of registration use you must provide your personal ID with photo and a V5 logbook.

If you just assigned a private registration number to your vehicle, you will not receive your registration documents right away.  However, you will be issued a document giving you the authorisation to have your number plates manufactured.  More information about this is posted at the DVLA website or contact them in person or by telephone.

Personalised plates are those that are created by the owner and usually reflect something to do with that person’s name, occupation or family.  For example, boxer Amir Khan has the plate “BOX IIIG” on his vehicle, while someone named Sonya might use the combination “SON 7A” to spell out her name.  By using numerals in place of letters—for example 3 for E and 5 for S—thousands of specialised words and phrases can be formed.  Several companies, along with the DVLA, offer search services so you can see if the plate you desire is available.  Plates with the middle digits of “60” are often fancied because they could substitute for the word “GO”.

Cherished plates, on the other hand, are plates with numbers that typically denote a vehicle with some history.  Owners of cherished number plates that have special, historical or significant value attached to them definitely cherish these plates.  Over time the value of these plates has increased exponentially, and many people will hang on to these plates ahead of just about anything else. 

Because of this, cherished plates can command quite a high price.  When someone does decide to sell a cherished number plate, it can fetch quite a price.  For example, back in 1989 when the previously unissued number plate 1 A was sold at auction, it fetched £160,000.  Imagine the price should it become available today!

The website at www.newreg.co.uk will allow you to search by first name, surname, as well as plates beginning with ‘Miss’ (MI55) or ‘Ms’ (M5).  If the plate you seek is not found, you’ll know immediately.  Most sites, including www.PremierPlates.co.uk, offer suggestions for other letter and number combinations if your first choice has already been taken.  Keep in mind that the new numbering scheme in effect since 2001 offers more possibilities, since there are more numbers and letters on the new plates.

Websites such as www.regtransfers.co.uk and www.carreg.co.uk also offer to handle the registration of your new plates as well – although keep in mind the new identification procedures still need to be followed.  However it’s often more convenient to have the same company issuing your plates take care of the registration at the same time.  They’ll handle the paperwork expeditiously and you’ll have your personalised number plates in a much shorter time, allowing you to place it on your vehicle and start driving legally.

Using the websites will allow you to search for the number plate you desire, avoid disappointment, and let a company with knowledge of the process take care of the DVLA proceedings. 

The section entitled “notification of sale or transfer” should be completed, detached, and then posted to the DVLA immediately (DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR).  Be aware that the new car registration certificate will not be sent out immediately. If you do not do this, you will receive inquiries as to the subsequent use of the vehicle.  You will need to provide the purchaser with the top portion of the certificate.  Should the sale of the vehicle be a private one, the DVLA must be informed as soon as possible once the purchaser takes possession of the vehicle; you should remind them of this fact to be safe.

Typically what happens once the DVLA has been informed of the sale and transfer is that you will receive an automatic acknowledgement letter within about four weeks.  This letter will confirm the sale and transfer, as well as relieve you of any further reliability for the vehicle.  Just be patient as it can take up to four weeks for this to work through the system at the DVLA.  Do not contact the DVLA before the four week waiting period has expired. 

The two main categories of businesses that are eligible for trade license plates are motor traders and vehicle testers. Motor traders are businesses that specialise in selling, manufacturing or repairing vehicles or those who have cars in their possession solely for collection or delivery. Vehicle testers are defined as businesses that use public roads to carry out short term tests, on vehicles that belong to others.

Trade plates can only be used on vehicles, if the vehicle is temporarily in the possession of a business that has the right to use trade plates. As soon as the vehicle is transferred or sold to another party, the trade plates can no longer be used on the vehicle, unless the new owner has a similar license. Vehicles which are part of a trader’s stock are considered under temporary possession, regardless of the period of time that the vehicle spends on the forecourt.

Applying for a trade license is relatively simple and requires form VTL301 to be completed and sent to the DVLA. Licenses are however time-limited, usually lasting only six months before the application needs to be renewed.

There are two primary application forms required depending on the vehicle that you are registering – the V55/4 or V55/5 – both of which must be accompanied by the following three documents:

- your current motor insurance certificate
- the fee for your vehicle’s car tax or licence excise duty
- identity confirmation documents regarding your name and address

Additionally, if it is the first time that you are registering a vehicle in the UK, a first vehicle registration fee of £55 will be required.  You will need the following documents in order to pay this fee:

- any documents in your possession which relate to your vehicle
- appropriate HM Customs and Revenue form(s)
- a “declaration of newness” if it’s applicable
- documentation supporting type approval such as IVA’s (individual approval schemes), SVA’s (single vehicle approval), or enhanced SVA or motorcycle SVA
- MOT (Ministry of Transport) if one is required

Furthermore, if the vehicle has been imported into the UK you will need:

- evidence regarding the vehicles collection date
- foreign registration documents (or other documentation) relative to that vehicle.

DVLA Personalised Registration Plates have millions of number plates in a searchable database. Not only does the DVLA offer a purchasing facility through its website and over the phone, but it also has regular auctions of brand new plates – auctions that are increasingly popular with trade professionals, but also one that individuals can attend. Buying directly from DVLA Personalised Registrations costs from £250 upwards and carries a £80 assignment fee.

The DVLA Personalised Registrations website offers a number of types of car registrations including the ‘current style’ car registrations, (which consists of two letters, two figures, a space and then three letters); prefix and suffix car registrations (with a two figure identifier at the beginning and at the end of the car registration), and ‘dateless registrations’ which has a number followed by a letter and vice versa.

Once you have purchased the personalised plate from the DVLA registrations service, they will send you a Certificate of Entitlement (V750) which you need to keep safe, because you will need it to transfer your purchased number plate to the car of your choosing. You don’t need to put the plate on a car immediately – the V750 certificate can be renewed every year.

- You register it within 14 days (you may get an extension to one month on this during peak periods)
- The vehicle only shows what is called “reasonable delivery mileage” (driven from the pick-up point to home using the most direct route possible)
- The vehicle was not permanently registered before
- The vehicle was in storage prior to being registered and is considered a current model or one which has not been in production within the past two years

If you are planning on importing a vehicle into the UK, it is recommended that you have it transported rather than driving it from the port of entry to its primary destination.  You will also need a “certificate of conformity” from the manufacturer or supplier proving its category type.

If the vehicle is a left-hand-drive and is imported from Europe, you will need a VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency) certificate listed under the Mutual Recognition scheme.  This indicates that the vehicle has been changed and will be suitable to drive on British roads.  Additionally, should you require further information about importing a vehicle into the UK, you should contact your local area DVLA office.

You also need to be aware of what is known as a Low Emission Zone or LEZ, which is an area that is geographically defined.  These exist to deter or restrict the operation of polluting vehicles in order to improve and maintain better air quality.  The LEZ came into effect in February of 2008, the establishment of which was announced by the Mayor of London.

Those vehicles that are classified as being non-polluting include all-electric vehicles as well as those that are labelled as “plug-in” or regular hybrids (vehicles which operate by virtue of multiple fuel and power sources).  Registration forms for LEZ vehicles can be downloaded online or can be obtained by requesting them by telephone.  Today, the largest Low Emission Zone in the world is the Greater London area.

Personalised car number plates; also known as vanity number plates, prestige number plates, cherished number plates, custom number plates or private number plates, can be bought privately at auctions or from websites as well as from the DVLA directly. The only limitations placed on personalised number plates are duplication – it must be an original plate – and broad standards of decency – no swear words or contentious issue denotation.

The DVLA sells personalised number plates through its telesales arm and it also runs its own auctions. Auctions are common when some personalised number plates are highly sought after; typical in the case where the combination of letters and / or numbers spell out common personal names. The cheapest personalised number plates currently sold by the DVLA are around £250, with £80 additional assignment fee. Naturally, there is no limit on the highest price, since these are determined by the auctions.

The DVLA auctions take place six times each year, throughout the United Kingdom. Auction venues are announced each year for the year to follow, with the list of personalised number plates up for auction being circulated in advance. There are also more regular online auctions.