Having a personalised number plate on your car helps to give it a personal touch and it almost adds a sense of individuality to your car. The idea of private plates is so popular that it is a scheme that works in lots of different countries in the Western world.
We are going to do a brief analysis of how private number plates work in the UK and how it compares to how it works in other countries.
It is fair to suggest that personalisation has been a major trend in the car industry in recent years.
Instead of being allocated a set of numbers and letters at random in the state government’s approved colour scheme, your personalised number plate can display a nickname, your personal initials or it can be used to show your support for your favourite sports team.
Personalised number plates are one of the most effective and straightforward ways to add individuality to your car.
While there are certain limits concerning unsuitable language, you can have pretty much whatever you want as long as it meets UK registration number plate standards.
A way to purchase a personalised number plate in the UK is to use the official DVLA personalised number plate website.
DVLA is a government-run website that has a database of the different variations of personalised number plates which are currently available to purchase.
There are other private companies that sell personalised number plates. It is best to go with reputable companies as here in the UK we have strict requirements regarding the style, colour and font of number plates.
Discover how much your car is worth! Get the instant offer by entering just two details about your car. You will be instantly matched with the right car buyer ready to pay cash for your car.
It really depends on the lettering which is used and how unique the wording is. Personalised number plates can start as low as £100 and some can be worth thousands of pounds.
On the DVLA website, there is also the option to bid for a personalised number plate of your choice, so this is ideal for those who are willing to bid to get the perfect number plate of their choice.
The process for obtaining a personal plate in Australia varies by state.
Fortunately, purchasing personal plates has been less of a headache in recent years, thanks to the availability of online options.
There are several plate styles available at Plate Sales, and what’s great is that you can buy your customised number plate, and they’ll guide you through the process of legally installing it on your car.
It’s crucial to note that personalised plates are carefully regulated, with restrictions in place for combinations that are judged inappropriate due to profanity, drug references, or the potential to encourage unrest or unsafe driving.
Transport for NSW retains standard and custom number plates ownership, which must be relinquished upon request.
Fully personalised plates are priced entirely based on their design. Unique plates start at $100 Australian Dollars (£52.70-February 2022 exchange rate), per year in New South Wales, whereas personalised plates start at $450 Australian Dollars ( £237.14-February 2022 exchange rate) per year in Victoria.
However, when a popular word or phrase is used, there can only be one edition of a plate to sell for much more than the original purchase price.
In Australia, residents have more freedom to choose the font, colour and style of their number plates.
Whereas in the UK there are stricter requirements and the DVLA state that all number plates in the UK should be in the same font, style and colouring.
In the USA, personalised number plates are commonly known as “Vanity Plates” so this is good to keep in mind if you are about to start your search for a personalised plate in the United States.
Like in, Australia in the USA you can purchase vanity plates from private companies, it does not have to be from a government-backed company.
In the United States, there are many companies that offer genuine road legal number plates to purchase for a vehicle in North America.
In the USA vanity plates are actually considerably cheaper than they are in the UK. Some of their personalised plates are priced at $60 USD (£44.32) in February 2022 (exchange rate) in the State of New York for example.
Like in Australia, citizens in the USA have more flexibility and freedom in the styling of their personalised number plates. They are able to customise the font, colour and styling of the plate.
This is something that is not allowed in the UK, as the UK government requires that all number plates in the UK have the same, font, colour and styling.
Fun Fact: In the state of New York, the words “police” and “God” are banned from being used on number plates.
The majority of European countries do not offer personalised or “vanity” plates, but here are the exceptions of European countries that do offer personalised number plates
In this article, we have put emphasis on the countries in the Western world which offer personalised number plates, but there are actually a considerable number of countries in the rest of the world that offer personalised number plates, these are:
It is interesting how personalised number plates can be purchased in Western countries around the world and the different requirements for each country. The United Kingdom regulations of number plates seem quite strict, so it will be fascinating to see whether the UK government becomes more relaxed about the criteria of number plates on UK roads.
Discover how much your car is worth! Get the instant offer by entering just two details about your car. You will be instantly matched with the right car buyer ready to pay cash for your car.
A car is a complex assembly of more than 30,000 parts. It is basically a maze of components, each with its own unique function. So, covering all car anatomy in a single blog post is impossible. What we’ll do today is try to understand the primary parts of a car you must recognise as a […]
Despite the increasing number of average speed cameras, many people still misunderstand how they operate. This has led to confusion and frustration among motorists who believe they’ve been unfairly fined. Let’s dispel these 8 myths about how do average speed cameras work. 1. Single Average Speed Camera Can Catch You Many believe that […]
Selling your car in the UK can involve some confusion, especially when it comes to the change of ownership. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process in 8 simple steps, whether you’re selling privately, to a dealer through Exchange My Car, or even scrapping your car. We’ll also cover the details of online […]
If you’re planning on driving in London’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) or Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, or Tyneside, you might need a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to avoid fees and fines. But what is a Certificate of Conformity? What does it show? How do you obtain a duplicate […]
Whether you’re upgrading to a newer model or simply looking to declutter your driveway, the process of car selling requires careful planning. Unfortunately, many sellers make the same old common mistakes when selling a car. This can lead to lost time and diminished profits. In this blog post, we’ll highlight 8 mistakes that car sellers […]
The national speed limit on a single-carriageway road, also known as a rural or country road, is between 50 and 60 mph for different types of vehicles. However, 60 mph is the highest you can go on a single road in any type of vehicle. Despite a lower speed limit than dual carriageway roads and […]
25% of all engine failures are attributed to negligence in changing engine coolant. Similarly, 95% of radiators fail due to old or contaminated coolant. This simple yet effective mixture of glycol and water is an integral fluid used to cool any internal combustion engine. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the reasons why your engine […]
According to a recent survey, one-third of all road deaths in the UK are caused by overspeeding. That’s where a speed limiter can play the role of a lifesaver. As per the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), the speed limiters would reduce accidents by 30%, saving around 25,000 lives in the next 15 years. But […]
A faulty alternator can damage other electrical components of your car. Plus, it’s a safety hazard as a failing alternator can dim the headlights of your car, leading to compromised visibility. Let’s discover the common signs of a faulty alternator and alternator replacement cost in this blog post. Along with that, we’ll also discuss why […]
The cost to replace a head gasket in the UK is between £284 and £2,946 with an average of £585. It’s one of the most expensive replacements and the most interesting one as well. The seal for the head gasket costs less than £100 in most cases. However, it is a labour-intensive replacement. So, the […]
A recent survey by Kwik Fit found that battery failure is the most common cause of car breakdown in the UK. More than 17% of all issues faced by car owners were battery-related. However, only 4% of them were worried about battery failure. So, by understanding how long do car batteries last, you can avoid […]
The ULEZ fine for all kinds of cars (petrol & diesel cars), vans, motorcycles, motor tricycles, mopeds, motor caravans, ambulances, and minibuses is £180 and comes with a 28-day payment deadline. If you pay the ULEZ fine within the first 14 days, it comes down to £90. But if you don’t pay it even until […]
Euro NCAP testing has saved more than 78,000 lives since its inception in 1997. Plus, its ratings have a huge impact on the sales and popularity of cars sold in the UK. But what do these ratings mean? And do they really carry weight? Plus, how these rating are going to shape a future with […]
AWD vs RWD vs FWD vs 4WD: the choice of transmission in your car can influence everything from fuel efficiency, driving experience, and handling to overall safety. It can be difficult to choose between these types of transmissions because most differences are so subtle that they are very hard to notice. In this guide, we’ll […]
With nearly 31% of British vehicles now equipped with dash cams, it’s clear these devices are becoming essential for many drivers. But how do dash cams work exactly? This comprehensive guide will delve into the world of dash cams, covering everything from their functionality to legal considerations and purchasing advice. Let’s get started! What […]
More than 70% of people in the UK still drive a manual car. Similarly, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) stats show that more people take their test in manual cars. So, if you’re new to manual transmissions or are usually used to driving an automatic car, don’t worry. Our guide offers a side-by-side comparison […]
The UK is experiencing a surge in electric vehicle adoption, with over 1.1 million electric cars on the road as of March 2024, according to DVSA. More people now drive an automatic car. While manual transmissions have historically been favoured in the UK, the shift towards EVs has introduced a new norm: automatic transmissions, as […]
People have some big misconceptions when it comes to a Motability car! One is that Motability cars have specific markings; the other is that all adapted cars are potentially leased through the Motability scheme. While these things might be true, they are not foolproof methods to suggest that a car is part of the Motability […]
Suzuki has long boasted a stellar reputation for reliability, consistently topping reliability indices and surveys. But are Suzuki cars reliable enough? How often do Suzuki cars actually break down? And which Suzuki models are the most dependable? You’ve come to the right place if these questions have crossed your mind. This blog post will answer […]
Cars in the UK need to pay an annual Vehicle Exercise Duty (VED), more commonly known as road tax, in order to legally circulate on the public road. The value of the fee depends on the car’s age, fuel type, tailpipe CO2 emissions, and engine capacity, with older or more polluting models typically being more […]