Different Number Plate Types
Current Number Plates
Searching Private Number Plates
If you have a particular registration in mind, use this current registration style search to specify exactly what you want. So how does the current style number plate search work?
- play_arrowEnter your first two letters.
- play_arrowAdd two numbers. Creatively use numbers as letter.
- play_arrowFinally, choose three random letters. Many use these for initials.
- play_arrowHit search! Browse your results.
- HINT: Try filling just 3 of the fields to see more results.
How Does the Current Registration Format Work?
As time has gone by number plate registrations have become more complex to cope with the ever increasing number of vehicles on our roads. The current number plate style may be the most complex system yet, but it really isn’t all that difficult to follow.
Modern registrations are set out into three sections; the first consists of two letters know as the area code these show where the car was originally registered, and the second section shows two numbers that symbolise the vehicles age. Lastly, the final section is built up of three letters that are completely random to create a unique code. The code serves to differentiate number plates registered in the same area at the same time.
Area Code | Age Identifier | Unique Code
Common Number Plate Questions
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What are the current legal requirements?Number plates must be made from reflective material. The front plate must have black characters on a white background, while the back must have black characters on a yellow background. No background patterns are allowed.
Motorcycle and Motor-Tricycle riders only have to equip a number plate on the back of their vehicle. -
What are the current legal measurements?Characters on a number plate must also be a certain height and size, with particular spacing:
Standard Shape: Each plate measures 524mm x 112mm. Please note that these plates can display a maximum of 7 digits.
Standard 4x4 Rear: Standard 4x4 Rear 285mm x 203mm supplied with Standard front plate 524mm x 112mm.
Large Rear: Large Rear (Jaguar/Porsche etc.) 533mm x 152mm with Standard front plate 524mm x 112mm.
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What type of changes are illegal?The positioning and spacing of the number plate must not change to ensure the plate is road-legal and can be read correctly. Also, when creating a custom reg you cannot make the date of the car (the third and fourth characters) appear newer than it is.
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How can I customise my private registration?Besides the layout of letters and digits there are a few other ways you can personalise you reg:
Characters: With the license plate's characters you have a few options such as making the characters 3D.
Border: Choose from options such as dashed, dotted and solid to place a border around your reg.
Flag: Pick from a variety of flags such as the Union Jack or St George's Cross, then choose your tag such as ENG, England, SCO, SCOTLAND, WALES, UK and more.
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