What I Wish I Knew About DVLA Number Plates One Year Ago
There is a lot of information out there about DVLA number plates. The only problem is that most of this information is not true. In fact, the options for personalized number plates are so varied that it is very difficult to determine what is true. Here are some of the things I wish I had known about number plates just a few years ago – as brought to light by Plateman Show Plates (Website no longer available)
- Registration Numbers Can’tbe Rearranged
Most people seem to think you can rearrange registration numbers to arrive at a certain word or phrase. This notion couldn’t be further from the truth. The DVLA has very strict rules regarding the appearance of number plates and how the numbers and letters that make up the plate can be arranged. If you change the arrangement of the registration numbers, you can be fined up to £1000, and your car will fail the MOT if you drive with the rearranged number plate.
- Buying Private Plates
You may have seen a lot of places that claim to sell personalized number plates, but only a fraction of these can actually sell you legal, personalized plates. When buying or even selling personalized number plates, it is advisable to use one of these companies, simply because they can make the whole process easier. But you want to make sure that you’re choosing a reputable service that can actually deliver on its promises.
- You Can’t Get a SpecificNumber Plate
Just because you are buying a personalized number plate doesn’t mean that you can get just any specific number. You might not be able to get your desired number even if the plate has never been issued. This is because some marks may never be issues since the DVLA considers them offensive. So it is highly unlikely that you’ll get the number you want.
- If your car is stolen, you can get your Number Plate Back
But this only works if your car has been stolen and not been recovered after a year. In this case, you can apply to have the registration number applied to your new car. But even this provision is contingent on the fact that you reported the car’s theft to the police at the time it was stolen and that your insurance company has written a letter to the DVLA stating they have no problem with re-issuing the number plate. Once these two conditions have been met, you can then write a letter to the DVLA making your request. The letter should include your name, address, and car registration.
