Private Number Plates
The ultimate mark of ownership, a private reg can add some serious personality to your vehicle and make a statement for all to see. Employed by celebrities and stars, private number plates are a symbol of status and can even hide the age of your vehicle from prying eyes. With millions of registrations available to search & buy online, private number plates are no longer just for the fortunate few.
If you're looking to buy a private number plate (sometimes known as 'cherished number plates' or personal number plates'), our professional sales team at New Reg can help the process by providing a leading service. From explaining how to correctly assign a plate to a vehicle to talking you through keeping a registration on a certificate of entitlement, our experts are here to offer advice and support. To make life easy for you, we can even manage the transfer of private registrations on your behalf - all you need to do is pick your plate!
You'll have plenty of plate options to choose from, with dateless cherished plates to prefix and suffix style registrations - we've got them all. We also stock private plates in the current style, as well as Irish number plates issued by the DVLA in Swansea. Browse our extensive selection of private number plates that include registrations that resemble names - for example, MAR 1E and 81 LLY - or indicate words like BOSS or FAST, to really make an impression.
You might even decide that you'd like a plate that reflects your vehicle model or make. Got a fast BMW? Maybe an M1, M3, or M5 plate would let people know what's under the bonnet. Then again, a JAG private registration plate could make your Jaguar stand out from the crowd. Your own personalised number plate can say anything you want about your car, personality, job, or anything you wish!
If you're looking for cheap private number plates, you might consider an Irish registration. Northern Ireland number plates can be transferred to UK vehicles and are available at more affordable prices.
Take advantage of our helpful search facility that allows you to filter vehicle registrations from different eras as well as our top-ranking suggestions, designed to give you some great ideas for your new registration. You'll also find detailed information on different kinds of private plates available as well as a list of commonly asked questions we provide answers to.
Types of private number plates
Curious to learn more about the different number plate formats you see on cars? This table gives you all the info on how DVLA registrations work - so you can plan your number plate purchase.
| Registration Format | Format explained | Release Years | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherished (Dateless) | 1 - 3 characters (regional identifier) followed by 1 - 4 numbers. | January 1903 - January 1963 | A 1 |
| Cherished (Reversed Dateless) | 1 - 4 numbers followed by 1 - 3 characters (regional identifier). | January 1903 - January 1963 | 5 E |
| Northern Irish (Dateless) | 3 characters (always contains an I or Z) followed by 1 - 4 numbers. | January 1903 - January 1963 | GAZ 9999 |
| Suffix | Three characters followed by 1-3 numbers and 1 additional character (age identifier). | January 1963 - July 1983 | JEN 11E |
| Prefix | One character (age identifier) followed by 1-3 numbers and 3 additional characters. | August 1983 - August 2001 | D45 SAM |
| Current | Two characters (regional identifier) followed by 2 numbers (age identifier) and 3 additional characters. | September 2001 - February 2051 | PK17 TOM |
How to buy a private number plate
You don't need a car or driver's licence to buy a number plate; you only need this once you want to assign it to a vehicle. Simply select the registration you want from the list of available plates and make your purchase.
Not sure where to get your new registration mark transformed into a private plate? Don't worry - we stock acrylic number plates, so you choose to have us create them for you before you make your secure payment.Spreading the cost of a personalised number plate
We know it's sometimes hard to put your hands on a lump sum of cash. So, what are your options if you see a new private number plate you fall in love with? Or if you see a private number plate that would be a perfect gift for an upcoming occasion?
At New Reg, we have a range of personal finance options that mean you can get your dream number plate now and pay a realistic monthly sum that suits your budget. Just look out for the 'Finance' button next to any vehicle registration numbers you're interested in. For more information, why not explore our dedicated number plate finance page? You'll find everything you need to know about eligibility, how long you can spread the cost for, and we'll walk you through all the important terms and conditions you'll need to know.How do you put private registration plates on retention?
The quickest way to put a plate on retention is via the DVLA online. You must be the registered keeper of the car to carry out the process and you'll require information from the vehicle's V5C logbook. You'll need to pay a fee of £80 to remove the registration by debit or credit card. After your application is successful, the DVLA will give you a reference number and send you a V778 retention certificate by post. In some instances, you will need to make an application by post and send in your documents with a cheque or postal order.
How to register a personalised number plate
The easiest way to register a private number plate is to let the experts here at New Reg take care of the process for you. We understand that buying car registrations isn't something most people do very often - and even if you do, changes to vehicle registration documents can make the process unfamiliar.
Once you have purchased a registration number from us, our skilled administrators can handle the number plate transfer process on your behalf, ensuring all the relevant documentation is completed. Our customers often find this helps to prevent unnecessary delays - and it always beats waiting on hold to talk to someone at the DVLA!How to sell a private number plate
The first step to selling a private number plate is to get it valued. You can do this here on the New Reg website. Simply enter the details into our valuation form and our experts will get back to you with a quote. Once you've agreed on a figure, we'll take care of the rest. We will list your registration on our website - and as the UK's most recognised reseller and number plate supplier, this means hundreds of thousands of potential buyers have the chance to see it. For total convenience, we will also take care of the full transaction process.
