For quite some time you could only display the number plate attached to your vehicle when you purchased it.  But the times, they are a changing.  Now you can select a personalised registration plate for your car that reflects you and your lifestyle.  The DVLA has been issuing personalised plates since 1989, and their new website allows you to search the plates already issued, ensuring your plate is still available. The DVLA registrations process is an easy one to complete.

Personalised plates are a wonderful gift for yourself or someone special in your life.  Know someone who loves dogs?  Include the combination “K9” in it.  List your nickname or the name of your spouse on the car; the variations are almost endless. 

The plates can be quite expensive, however.  Be sure to do a search on the DVLA’s website or via another provider.  You may find that the plate you desire is extremely expensive—some of them can cost into the tens of thousands of pounds!  Short plates command the highest prices, so if you cherish something like 3P or M4, be sure to do your research first. If very lucky, when checking number plates for sale in your area, you may find the one you want at a reasonable price.

Some of the most popular plates are the “Miss” plates.  Start with MI55, and then choose the last three letters as your name, nickname or shortened version of the same. “MI55 AMY” or “MI55 CDY” are just some of the options you have.  You can also create your last name on a plate: W1LC0X and others can be created with a little imagination.

Plates can be purchased as a gift as well.  Simply inform the DVLA of that at the time of purchase.  They’ll note it on a form and you can present your gift to the lucky recipient.  It’s something that will last for years to come.