The Number Plate Portal - We Search, You Compare

Private number plates, also known as personalised or cherished plates, are vehicle registration numbers customised to reflect personal significance, such as a name, initials, or a meaningful word. Unlike standard registration numbers issued sequentially, private number plates allow vehicle owners to choose unique combinations that hold personal value.

In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is responsible for issuing and regulating all vehicle registration numbers, including private number plates. Owners can purchase these plates directly from the DVLA or through authorised dealers. Once acquired, a private number plate can be assigned to a vehicle, replacing its original registration number.

While private number plates offer a unique way to personalise a vehicle, they must adhere to strict legal requirements regarding format, font, and spacing to ensure they are clearly readable and comply with road regulations. It’s also not permitted to use a private number plate to make a vehicle appear newer than it is, such as assigning a plate with a newer age identifier to an older car.

Private number plates provide an excellent way for vehicle owners to add a personal touch, combining individuality with practicality, all while following established UK registration guidelines.

Finding your ideal private number plate on PlateX is simple and convenient. Our platform lets you search for available registrations from over 40 dealers across the market in one place. Not only does this mean you won’t miss out on your perfect plate but with our price comparison technology you can compare prices, filter by specific features, and even view dealers offering flexible payment options like bespoke finance or Klarna. Once you’ve found your perfect private plate, you’ll be redirected to the dealer's site to complete your purchase. PlateX makes it easy to find the best deal on cherished registrations while providing all the necessary information to make an informed choice.

Private number plates are increasingly popular as thoughtful and memorable gifts. They allow recipients to showcase their name, initials, or interests in a unique way, making them ideal for celebrating special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or milestones. A private number plate is a gift that combines practicality with a personal touch, ensuring it remains meaningful for years to come.

The market for private number plates has expanded significantly, offering options to suit a variety of budgets. To help you find the perfect gift, PlateX developed our Super-Search, the most advanced registration search, returning users a curated list of matched registration plates from across the market. You can also explore our specific search tools including, initials, build-your-own and dateless or sort though our curated lists such as perfect name plates, Number 1 registrations, and plates priced below £200.

The cost of a private number plate can vary significantly depending on factors such as the rarity of the plate, its popularity, and its uniqueness. Some cherished registrations are highly sought after and can command premium prices, while others are more affordable with prices below £200. PlateX provides an easy way to compare prices from over 40 dealers across the market, helping you find the best deal on private plates. PlateX ensures you have access to a wide range of options, whether you’re looking for a personalised plate or a number 1 registration, so you can make a purchase within your budget.

Yes, PlateX allows you to filter your search results to show dealers that offer flexible payment options, including bespoke finance or payments via Klarna. When browsing private number plates, you can quickly compare these options and select a dealer that meets your preferred payment terms. Once you’ve chosen your cherished registration, the payment process is handled directly by the dealer on their website, so you can enjoy a seamless buying experience with the option to spread the cost.

A cherished registration is a unique, highly sought-after number plate that typically features a specific combination of numbers and letters, often of historical or personal significance. A personalised plate, on the other hand, allows you to create a custom registration based on your name, initials, or a meaningful word. Both types of plates are available through PlateX, where you can compare prices and select from over 40 dealers across the market. Whether you’re looking for a premium cherished registration or a personalised plate that reflects your individuality, PlateX provides a comprehensive and user-friendly way to find your perfect plate.

Yes, absolutely! Not only can you choose a personalised plate for your new car, but if you’d like to keep your vehicle on the correct new year plate while still personalising it, PlateX offers the perfect solution with our unique New Issue collection.

Using our specially developed word-finding algorithm, we uncover potential personalised plate combinations within upcoming releases. These future registrations are ideal for creating a personalised touch while maintaining the correct year identifier. To explore these options, visit our New Issue page. Future releases of personalised plates are only accessible to users who are logged in.

The transfer process for a private number plate typically takes around 7-10 days, depending on the circumstances. When purchasing through PlateX, once you've chosen your ideal registration and completed the purchase through the dealer's website, the transfer will be handled by the dealer. You'll receive all necessary documentation to ensure the registration is transferred to your vehicle or to a certificate, and you’ll be kept updated throughout the process. Our platform also ensures that you can easily track the progress of your transaction with the dealer.

To transfer a private number plate to another car, you’ll need to submit the appropriate forms to the DVLA. This process can be done online or by post. Once you’ve completed your purchase via PlateX, the dealer will guide you through the necessary steps, including providing the required paperwork. We also recommend using the DVLA's online services to speed up the process. For a more detailed guide on how to transfer your private number plate, visit our Transfer Your Private Plate page, where you’ll find all the information you need to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is the official body responsible for issuing and regulating all vehicle registration numbers in the UK, including cherished registrations. They maintain a comprehensive database to ensure each registration is unique and correctly assigned.

When acquiring a cherished registration, the DVLA oversees the assignment process to a vehicle, which includes verifying that the vehicle meets specific criteria and updating its records to reflect the new registration number. This process involves a statutory transfer fee of £80, payable to the DVLA.

At PlateX, we gather data from third-party dealers and strive to display prices that include the transfer fee wherever possible. This ensures that buyers have a clear understanding of the total cost involved in purchasing their desired cherished registration.

Finding private number plates with specific initials is easy with PlateX. Our dedicated Initials Search page allows you to browse the best options across the market, tailored to showcase your desired initials.

This feature doesn’t just focus on premium, often expensive, dateless registrations but also includes more budget-friendly options from the Current and Prefix series. PlateX ensures a comprehensive selection, giving you the flexibility to find a plate that matches your style and budget.

You can further refine your search by sorting results by price or filtering for dealers offering flexible payment options like Klarna or bespoke finance, making it easier than ever to find your perfect personalised plate.

A cherished registration is a unique, highly sought-after number plate that typically features a specific combination of numbers and letters, often of historical or personal significance. A personalised plate, on the other hand, allows you to create a custom registration based on your name, initials, or a meaningful word. Both types of plates are available through PlateX, where you can compare prices and select from over 40 dealers across the market. Whether you’re looking for a premium cherished registration or a personalised plate that reflects your individuality, PlateX provides a comprehensive and user-friendly way to find your perfect plate.

Private number plates, especially rare or unique ones, can indeed be a solid investment. Their value often increases over time as demand for distinctive or meaningful registrations grows, with some cherished registrations selling for significant sums. For instance, with PlateX, you can explore all available private number plates and compare prices across multiple dealers to find the best deal. Whether you’re considering a premium number 1 registration or a more affordable personalised plate, our platform provides the tools you need to uncover plates with strong investment potential.

One of the best investment opportunities often comes from new issue registrations. With nearly 8 million new combinations introduced in each release, excellent plates can sometimes be overlooked by the DVLA. These plates, instead of being held back for auction, are assigned a system-generated fixed price based on specific metrics. This open release day can be likened to the great land claims or gold mining claims of the past—if you’re quick and secure a sought-after plate, you could potentially make thousands of pounds. For example, the registration KN19 HTS was released at the fixed price of £399, while its sister plate, KN16 HTS, which went to auction, sold for an astonishing £36,802.

Even if you don’t strike gold with an exceptional plate like this, many less extreme word plates also appreciate in value. As time passes, the market for buyers with vehicles eligible to receive year-specific registrations expands, driven by the increasing number of newer cars sold. This growing demand often leads to higher resale values for personalised plates purchased early in their release.

With PlateX’s comprehensive search tools, you can identify these promising opportunities within the private number plate market, whether you’re searching for a cherished registration or exploring future releases.