Number plates explained

Key takeaways

• In the UK, each vehicle has a unique number plate, made up of letters and numbers, for identification, tax recording, and registration purposes

• Personalised or private number plates allow vehicle owners to choose their own unique combination of letters and numbers for their car registration

• Personalised number plates can only be bought or sold with proper documentation (V750 or V778)

• Costs for private number plates can vary from a few hundred to thousands of pounds, including the plate, DVLA fee, and physical plates

• When you buy car insurance, the insurance company will ask for your car registration number.

Why do we have car number plates in the UK?

Each vehicle in the UK has a unique number plate which is a combination of letters and numbers that allows authorities to identify and trace a specific vehicle.

A car’s number plate will both be displayed on the car and in the car’s documentation (e.g. the logbook or V5C).

Registration numbers can help identify both the car and its owner if it is involved in an accident or crime. A number plate is also used to record whether or not your vehicle has been taxed and insured, and to check it is registered in the correct person's name.

In the UK, the DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency) in Swansea oversees car number plates.

How can I tell how old my car is from the number plate? 

The numbers on a standard car registration number show how old the car is.

All new registrations after September 2001 follow a consistent format:

What is a personalised number plate?

A personalised or private car number plate is a vehicle registration number that a driver chooses, rather than the one assigned by the DVLA. Private registration plates often spell out names, words, or phrases, or use initials and numbers that have personal significance to the owner.

Unlike standard registration plates, personalised plates are ‘dateless’ as the numbers don’t necessarily relate to the year of registration.

📣 Did you know? You’ll need to pay extra for a personalised number plate.

Where can I buy a personalised number plate?

You can buy a personalised number plate from the DVLA or from a private seller.

There are four main ways to buy private number plates:

Can I choose any combination of letters and numbers for a personalised number plate?

No, you don’t have completely free reign over a personalised number plate.

In 2025 the DVLA banned more than 600 personalised number plates due to potential offense or being provocative. The banned plates included references to Nazi atrocities, criminal behaviour and political flashpoints such as Brexit. Others were banned due to promoting violence or drug use

How much do private number plates cost?

How much private number plates cost depends on the combination of letters and numbers.

There may be some competitive prices from less sought after numbers. But popular combinations could cost a lot more. There are various auction sites online that will give you a free valuation for your private registration number. You can also conduct a number plate search to see if a number you like the look of is already assigned to someone else.

What paperwork do I need for a personalised number plate?

If you buy a private number plate from a private seller they will need to give you the right documentation. To legally put the new number plate on your car, you need to have either:

• V750 certificate of entitlement

• V778 retention document

How do I register a personalised number plate?

You can assign a private number plate to a vehicle on the gov.uk website.  

You’ll need the V750 or V778 for your new reg number, as well as your car’s VC5 (logbook). The transfer will happen immediately so you will need to have your new number plates ready to attach to your car.

You can also make the transfer by post by sending the relevant document to the DVLA.

If you later want to switch back to a DVLA number plate, you can sell your private plate and pay an £80 transfer fee to go through the transfer process to get a standard registration number for your car.

How much does it cost to register a personalised number plate?

There are a number of costs involved in obtaining and registering a private number plate, including:

• The private number plate

• The DVLA fee (£80)

• The physical plates (£18 each at Halfords, plus about £9 for fitting)

When you buy a private number plate you will need to get the physical plates made by a registered number plate supplier.

The legally mandated font for UK number plates is ‘Charles Wright’, as specified in the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. This font is specifically designed for readability and is required for all vehicles on public roads. 

Will a private number plate affect my car insurance?

No, most car insurance companies won’t charge you extra for having a personalised number plate.

However, some insurers may categorise a personalised number plate as a form of modification, which can mean more expensive premiums.

Do I need to tell my insurer if I get a private number plate?

Yes, you need to inform your insurance provider when you get a private number plate. Your insurer will need to have the correct registration details for your car for your insurance to be valid.

Is my personalised number plate covered in my car insurance?

Whether your personalised number plates are covered in your policy depends on your insurance company and the type of policy you purchase. If you put a custom plate on your car and it gets stolen or damaged, you will need to check your policy documents to see if private plate insurance is included.