Are There Any Cons of Private Number Plates?

Private nameplates are also known as cherished number plates, personalized number plates or private registrations, all falling under the roof of DVLA registration numbers and are owned by the vehicle owner. Be it any reason, whether to hide the age of the vehicle or simply the owner’s wish to have their name imprinted on the car, once the unique number is decided and glued to the number plate furnished by the DVLA, they are considered as private or personalized.

Documents Required:

A V5C or logbook is the only document required to apply for a private number plate. Although the current and complete V5C is required to expedite the application process and not a green slip or V5C/2 will be encouraged for the same. The vehicle must be taxed with the newest MOT or upon failure, it can be inside the 5 years of SORN.

Abiding by Traffic Rules:

In order to possess a cherished number plate, a few guidelines put forward by the Traffic Police required to be followed:

  • Fancy number plates can use any ink apart from black on a white background to write the numbers for private vehicles.
  • They will have comparatively smaller prints of the registration number on the plate than other vehicles.
  • Personalized registration plates are those which use illustrated fonts for imprinting the registration number.
  • These private plates can have designs or logos embossed excepting the registration number. The size of these personalized plates needs to be smaller and thicker or thinner than the recommended size of a usual number plate.

Downsides of Private Numbers:

There is excellence on one hand and being excellent on the other. If an individual belongs to the latter category, then the registration number will entice the attention for incorrect reasons. A strong personality is always the key ingredient to pull off a cherished number plate. It’s recommended to discuss with family and friends before one opts to buy a personal plate.

Though a personalized number plate seems to make a bold statement for oneself, it can really make a fool out of an individual if it is on an incorrect car, in the wrong hands or with improper ideas. It might seem a little weird at first but once you see it over and over again it definitely doesn’t feel funny and you start feeling the class in it. You start recognizing the silver lining with time.

Without a proper car, private registration is just ammunition for criticism for everyone. You need to balance a fancy number plate with a fancy car. Additionally, a perfect number plate will also dig a deep hole in your pocket, especially when you own a common name and the registration number is in big demand.

It is also not the desired scenario to get harassed by the traffic police ever so often to get your documents checked, to verify if all the set rules and regulations are met regarding these personalized number plates. It is definitely more safe, secure and easy to have a regular number plate than having a fancy number.

Things to Remember:

All’s well that ends well. So, with owning a personal number plate one must be aware of all the rules and regulations related to it and should abide by all of them to enjoy the benefits and flaunt their fancy numbers. The government has levied strict instructions in the display of private registration numbers on the number of plates. These kinds of registration plates must follow the specifications related to size, color, decoration, reflection, character size, font, and space.

Failure to conform with the display guidelines will lead to MOT failure, fines and losing the registration number permanently. One more important point to remember while purchasing a private number plate is to check the compatibility between the vehicle and the registration number.

It is not allowed to exhibit a registration showing a year code later than the vehicle’s original date of registration. For example, to display a ‘57′ number plate on a vehicle, which is originally registered in 2002 would not be legal. Whereas, a ‘51′ registration, that is older than the car would be considered within legal boundaries.

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