It is obvious during any trip on our roads that the popularity of personalised number plates has risen vastly. Once seen as simply a status symbol to the stars, a private number plate is now THE must have car accessory. People of all ages and backgrounds are discovering the joys and benefits of owning their own personal number plate and the number of owners continues to grow.
People buy car registration numbers for a whole variety of reasons. For some they represent the ultimate personal gift for a family member or loved one, while others chose to indulge themselves and make their vehicle stand out in the crowd. Businesses purchase private number plates as a unique way of advertising their companies and collectors buy registrations as a hobby or investment. Number plate enthusiasts often own more than one registration and many own huge collections of private plates. The scarcity and age of some registrations has led them to become collectors’ items and are quickly snapped up when they are for sale.
There is an increasing trend to invest in number plates with investors seeing exceptional returns. Many people are now purchasing private plates to diversify their financial portfolio and have seen an outstanding return on their stock holding over the last couple of years. For example, the private registration 1 RO was sold at a DVLA Auction in September 2005 for £6000. This registration number is now on the market for £125,000 – which is a staggering 2000% return on the original investment!
Many enthusiasts attend the DVLA auctions with the hope of picking up a classic number plate to add to their collections. These auctions are held throughout the year at stately homes and hotels and give number plate collectors and enthusiasts a chance to meet up and bid on previously unreleased registrations. Dateless registrations, name plates and humorous number plates all feature in the catalogue at these auctions, which are a great place to network and socialise with like minded people.
Increasingly personalised number plates collectors and fans are choosing to become members of the Registration Numbers Club. The organisation is the only UK based club for collectors and enthusiasts of number plates and car registrations. It was founded in 1977 and has grown considerably since. The RNC produces a quarterly publication called “RNC News" which provides details of events and interesting stories from its members. The club is run by volunteers, with Steve Waldenberg acting as Honorary Organising Secretary from the head office in Leeds. For more information contact them at RNC Office, PO BOX MT12, Leeds, LS17 7UD.
This year, the Registration Numbers Clubs held their annual rally in June at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. The event saw members turning up en mass with vehicles displaying their own private number plates and cherished registrations. People of all ages attend these events for a chance to meet other number plate enthusiasts and socialise. Competitions are held for members number plates, including Best Prefix Number Plate, Best Name Plate and the Best “Number 1" registration.
Number plates are unique and can mean so many different things to so many different people. For more information on car number plates and registrations ( http://www.capeplates.co.uk ) are recommended as they provide comprehensive information and are DVLA registered. They provide an increasing number of individuals with a hobby as they strive to increase their collection and find ever more scarce registrations. To others they are a great present from a family member that will last their lifetime. To some they are simply an investment, adding a prestigious touch to their vehicle, as they grow in value over time. Many people sell their number plates to put towards their retirement funds. Whatever the reason, there is a number plate out there that is perfect for you. Now is the time to find your personal number…before someone else does!
Car registration plates were introduced in 1903 enabling vehicles and their owners to be identified on the road. The Motor Car Act made it compulsory for cars to be registered with the local council where the owner resided. Each council was assigned specific letters which were displayed on car registration plates along with a number to create a unique identifier for the vehicle and the number plate phenomenon began.
Fast forward a century and registration plates are the most popular accessory to the modern motorist. Nowadays people are choosing to replace their standard car registration with their very own personalised car registration plates. Thousands are being sold each week to customers ranging from young professionals with a high disposable income to middle age motorists making a savvy investment for retirement.
Since their introduction car registration numbers have been issued in several formats to cope with the growing number of vehicles on our roads. The first format is known nowadays as a dateless registration number. With no character to clarify the age the number plate was issued, dateless number plates can be worth several thousand pounds. Suffix car registration numbers were released in the early 1960’s with the introduction of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (DVLC). Suffix registrations added a distinctive format to registration numbers with three letters followed by up to three numbers and a final letter denoting the year of issue. When the suffix series ran out in 1983 the format was reversed to provide what is known as prefix car registration numbers. These account for the majority of personal number plate sales in the UK, with low prices being a major draw card to potential buyers. In 2001 the format was changed once more to give our current style of car registrations which have two letters followed by two numbers and finally three more letters.
You can buy car registration plates by visiting registered number plates suppliers such as http://www.capeplates.co.uk/ who offer access all formats of registrations and will complete any relevant paperwork for you. Their websites allow you to search for your ideal registration plates at your leisure and order online. When searching for car registrations look for ones that have you name or initials. Name plates are generally more expensive as there are fewer on the market however a personal car registration with you initials can be a more cost effective with prices starting under 300 pounds.
When you find a new car registration you can have it transferred onto your vehicle. Shop with a dealer who will do this free of charge. You will need your complete V5 logbook, MOT certificate if applicable and your car must be taxed. An 80 pound government transfer fee is payable on all registration numbers sold however this is usually included in the purchase price.
All car registration numbers can be held on a DVLA certificate. These certificates are valid for 12 months and can be renewed annually for 25 pounds. This feature is popular with number plate collectors and investors or people who buy a personal number plate who do not have a car to put it on. Car registrations that have never been assigned to a vehicle before are issued on V750 certificates of entitlements. Registrations that have previously been on a vehicle are issued by the DVLA on V778 retention certificates.
When buying number plates remember that a vehicle can never be made to look younger than it is. For example a 57 registration number could not be assigned to a 02 registered car. If in doubt contact your number plate supplier otherwise you could end up with a registration number that you cannot use.
Both Rami Nseir & Ross O'donnell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Rami Nseir has sinced written about articles on various topics from Photo Printing, Carpet Cleaning and Upholstery and Install Flooring. Bob O'Donnell is MD of Cape Plates ( ) and has a passion for all things number plate related. He started the business with only one number pla. Rami Nseir's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.
Ross O'donnell has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Ross O’Donnell writes for/ a family run business who supply personal car registrations across the UK. Cape Plates will transfer your registra. Ross O'donnell's top article . to your Favourites.