Number Plates
Search over 72 million number plates at New Reg — the UK's most trusted plate dealer since 1990 and the first to sell online in 1996. Private plates from £69 with price match guarantee, 0% finance, and free DVLA transfer.
What Are Number Plates?
Every vehicle on UK roads must display a number plate — the unique registration mark issued by the DVLA. Standard plates are assigned automatically when a vehicle is first registered. But you can also buy a private number plate (also called a personalised or cherished registration) — one you choose yourself, which can spell a name, word, or your initials.
Private number plates have been bought and sold in the UK since the early 20th century. The first UK registrations were issued in 1903, and within decades motorists began trading them as a way to retain a familiar mark when changing vehicles. Today over a million private plates change hands each year, making the UK private plate market one of the most active alternative asset markets in the world.
New Reg has over 72 million available, starting from £69. Whether you want a plate that spells your name, reflects your profession, or simply carries a number that means something to you, our search tools let you filter by format, budget, and letter combination to find the right one.
Content by Jon Taylor, co-founder — the UK's first online plate dealer since 1991.
Types of Number Plate
UK number plates fall into four main formats, each issued during a different era. The format affects which vehicles a plate can be assigned to and influences its price — older, shorter combinations in desirable formats command higher prices, but every format has affordable options starting under £100.
| Type | Years issued | Example | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current style | 2001–present | AB26 XYZ | £69 |
| Prefix | 1983–2001 | P123 ABC | £100 |
| Suffix | 1963–1983 | ABC 123A | £100 |
| Dateless | Pre-1963 | JON 1 | £250 |
| Northern Irish | Any year | JAZ 1234 | £69 |
Current-style plates (AB12 XYZ format) are the most widely available and the cheapest to enter — millions of combinations exist from £69. Prefix and suffix plates cover a broader range of letter combinations and are popular for spelling names and words. Dateless and Northern Irish plates carry no year identifier, meaning they can be placed on any vehicle regardless of age — making them especially popular with classic car owners and buyers who want maximum flexibility.
Number Plate Rules
UK number plates must use the Charles Wright 2001 font, be made from reflective material, and display black characters on a white background (front) or yellow background (rear). Physical dimensions are set under BS AU 145e: characters must be 79mm tall and 50mm wide (except the digit 1 and letter I), with 11mm character spacing and a 33mm gap between the two character groups. You cannot make a vehicle appear newer than it is — a private plate's year identifier must not be more recent than the vehicle's original registration date. Dateless and Northern Irish plates carry no year identifier and can go on any vehicle regardless of age.
Plates must display only the registration mark — no background patterns, images, or advertising are permitted. Tinted or smoked covers that reduce legibility are illegal. Road-legal acrylic plates must meet all physical display standards, and fitting non-compliant plates can result in a fine and an MoT failure. New Reg can supply fully road-legal acrylic plates for any registration purchased through the site.
How to Buy a Number Plate
Buying a private number plate at New Reg takes around five minutes online. Once you have chosen your plate, our expert team handles the entire DVLA transfer process on your behalf — you just need your V5C logbook.
Enter a name, word, initials, or number into our search to find matching private plates sorted by price.
Select your plate and pay by card or spread the cost with 0% finance. Instant online decision available.
Our expert team manages the DVLA transfer. You just need your V5C logbook. Typically 3–5 working days.
Once transferred, your registration is officially yours. Order road-legal acrylic plates and fit them.
People Also Ask
- What do the numbers on a number plate mean?
- On current-style plates (AB12 XYZ), the first two letters indicate the DVLA issuing office, the two digits show when the car was registered (e.g. 26 = March 2026, 76 = September 2026), and the last three letters are random. See our registration year guide for all formats back to 1963.
- Can I choose my own number plate?
- Yes — private number plates let you choose your own registration from £69. The plate must follow DVLA formatting rules and cannot make a vehicle appear newer than it is, unless it is a dateless plate.
- How much does a private number plate cost?
- Private plates at New Reg start from £69. The DVLA transfer fee (£80 + VAT) is charged separately at checkout. 0% finance is available from £500.
- What is the cheapest type of number plate?
- Current-style registrations (AB12 XYZ) start from £69. Northern Irish dateless plates are also often under £100 and can go on any vehicle regardless of age.
Number Plates — Common Questions
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What do the numbers on a number plate mean?On current-style plates, the first two letters indicate the issuing DVLA office, the two digits show the registration period (26 = March 2026, 76 = September 2026), and the last three letters are random.
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Can I choose my own number plate?Yes — private number plates let you choose your own registration from £69. The plate must follow DVLA rules and cannot make a vehicle appear newer than it is, unless it is a dateless plate.
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Do I need a car to buy a private plate?No. You can buy a private plate and hold it on a DVLA retention certificate (V750 or V778) for up to ten years, then assign it to a vehicle when you are ready.
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What is a dateless number plate?A dateless plate carries no year identifier and can be assigned to any vehicle regardless of when it was registered. All pre-1963 UK plates and Northern Irish plates are dateless.
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What is a cherished number plate?A cherished number plate is another term for a private or personalised registration — one bought for its appearance or significance rather than assigned automatically by the DVLA. The term is especially associated with older, desirable dateless plates that have changed hands many times over decades.
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Can I keep my number plate when I sell my car?Yes. Before selling, apply through the DVLA online service to put your plate on retention. It will be held on a V778 certificate in your name for up to ten years, ready to transfer to a future vehicle whenever you are ready.
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Are personalised number plates legal?Yes. Personalised number plates are fully legal in the UK provided they are genuine DVLA-issued registrations and displayed following the legal rules on font, material, and size. Plates purchased through a DVLA recognised reseller such as New Reg are always legitimate.
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Are number plates a good investment?Short dateless plates and those spelling popular names or words have historically appreciated in value. The supply of dateless plates is permanently fixed, which supports long-term demand. As with any alternative asset, value depends on rarity, desirability, and market conditions at the time of sale.
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How much does a number plate transfer cost?The DVLA charges £80 + VAT to assign a registration to a vehicle. This is in addition to the purchase price of the plate. New Reg handles the entire transfer process as part of your purchase.
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Can I put a private plate on any car?Yes, with one rule — you cannot make the vehicle appear newer than it is. Dateless and Northern Irish plates carry no year identifier and can go on any vehicle of any age.
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Can I get finance on a number plate?Yes. New Reg offers 0% interest-free finance and longer-term options from £500. Apply online for an instant decision.
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What are the legal rules for number plates?UK plates must use the Charles Wright 2001 font on reflective material. Front: black on white. Rear: black on yellow. No background patterns. Characters must be the correct size under BS AU 145e. The plate must not make the vehicle appear newer than it is.
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How do I transfer a number plate to my car?After purchasing from New Reg, our team handles the DVLA transfer on your behalf. You will need your V5C logbook. Transfers typically complete within 3–5 working days. You can also transfer a plate yourself through the DVLA online service at gov.uk.
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How do I put my number plate on retention?Apply through the DVLA online service at gov.uk. You must be the registered keeper and have your V5C. The DVLA charges £80 and issues a V778 retention certificate, which keeps the plate valid for up to ten years.
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Can I buy a number plate as a gift?Yes. Private plates make a popular and memorable gift. You can buy without owning a vehicle and hold the registration on a V750 certificate of entitlement for up to ten years. New Reg can provide gift documentation on request.
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What do I need to transfer a number plate?You need your V5C logbook (vehicle registration certificate) and the registration to be assigned. When New Reg handles the transfer, we manage the DVLA paperwork — you just provide your V5C details at checkout.