There are nearly 40 million private number plates currently in use here in the UK, the popularity of which is showing no signs of slowing down.  Despite the fact that these were issued by the DVLA, you can only purchase “new” private number plates which have not yet been issued to any vehicle.  This means that if you are searching for a specific combination of letters and numbers to spell out your message, you may have to contact a private dealer.  Here are a few steps that you should take and options you can pursue for purchasing private number plates from the DVLA.

Check to see if the private number plate you are looking for is available.  You can do this by visiting the DVLA website and searching their current list of permissible characters in order to find your private number plate.  Once you have found the number plate you are looking for, you have the following three options for purchasing them:

Purchase your private number plates by telephone – if you choose, you can purchase your private number plates by calling the DVLA and ordering them over the phone.

Purchase your private number plates online – the most convenient way to purchase your private number plates is by using the internet.  The price quoted should include the £80 ‘assignment fee’ and the VAT.

Purchasing a private number plate as a gift – you will have to appoint the loved one or relative that you are purchasing the private number plate as the “keeper” of that number plate and signify that you are the purchaser.