What does my number plate say about me?
Owning a personal number plate has become very popular – we calculate that around 1 in 8 cars on UK roads have a personalised or private number plate.
So with all of these combinations and with all this money having been spent on cherished registrations it begs the question – just what does my number plate say about me?
Well there are a couple of key different types of number plate – and much like star signs or horoscopes – your choice of number plate style can speak volumes about you as a person – or it could be a load of old nonsense! read on 
Number 1 number plates
Number one number plates – dateless numberplates like “ANY 1″ are considered to be some of the finest available.
Usually adorning Embassy vehicles (think USA 1 and THA 1) but also favoured by wealthy private individuals such as John Madjeski (JM1) and Max Bygraves (MB1)
What does it say about you?
Wealthy – If you own a number 1 number plate then in the first instance you are wealthy – many of these number plates covet the finest cars in the world.
A perfectionist – Number 1 is quite literally the best – so to have the “number 1″ combination for many number plate enthusiasts – is the ultimate.
Name number plates
Name number plates – number plates can be used to “spell” first and surnames using the wonders of autonumerology. 5 letter names such as J4MES, COL1N and L4URA are generally the most sought after.
Surnames and nicknames are also very popular and as some are obscure there is a greater chance of having your ideal combination.
What does it say about you?
Healthy Ego – Having your name on your car for some is the ultimate statement and a great ego boost – it does make road rage and remaining inconspicuous very interesting
Outgoing – You wouldn’t have your name on your numberplate unless you dont mind people knowing its you – I actually had a car full of girls calling my name and waving once thanks to my name number plate – great fun.
Word number plates
Word number plates tend to be the preserve of businesses (think Pimlico Plumbers) and interestingly enough gowing and Pursey the waste management company who own ART1K amongst others.
COM1C and MAG1C were sported by Tarby and Paul Daniels and remain as some of the most famous private plates.
What does it say about you?
Look at me! – A word – particularly a rude one – on a number plate grabs attention like nothing else – I was overtaken by PU51WAX the other day – say no more….
Fun – Where name number plates are about ego – word number plates are about fun. HA51LEG (Has 1 Leg) is sported by a driver who lost his leg in an accident and bought this with some of the claim money – brilliant
Look-alike number plates
If you can’t find or afford your ideal name or word number plate there are multiples of “look alike” options – ranging from very good to poor to down right illegal. Where DAV1D isn’t available – there is also DAV11D or DAV111D or even DVA1D.
What does it say about you?
A Tryer – Even though you couldn’t find or afford your ideal combination you still managed to find a suitable number plate – with so many rules and different combinations its no mean feat – well done you!
An enthusiast – To find look alike and alternative combinations you need to have more than a passing interest in personalised number plates
Irish number plates
Irish number plates are utilised mainly by those wishing to mask the age of their vehicle. As Irish plates use “I” and “Z” there are significantly fewer desirable combinations – with the exception of plates like VIP1 and BIG1
What does it say about you?
Economical – You like personalised number plates but perhaps arent keen on spending fortunes on them – Irish plates do the job at a fraction of the cost.
Irish – You are from Ireland or have bought and Irish registered car(!)
Sequential number plates
Do you own a series or set of number plates? or perhaps you own “identical” number plates – think S1NGH and 51NGH – the serious number plate collector / enthusiast can never stop with just one number plate.
At number plate rallies and parked in the driveways of expensive houses you will often find sequential number plates - or even a set of number plates such as 2B and NOT2B.
What does it say about you?
Enthusiast/collector – You are serious about number plates – you know your prefix from your suffix and aren’t shy about spending money for quality number plate combinations
Standard number plates – (the ones that came with the car)
If your car sports the same number plates it left the dealership with then there’s two schools of thought.
You are either wealthy enough to afford private number plates but just don’t see the point and prefer anonymity – or you are mad keen on getting some cherished plates but cant find or afford the combination you want.
What does this say about you?
Nonplussed – those without personalised number plates are unaware of the scale of the UK number plate market and number of enthusiasts.
Unaware – many people are introduced the personalised number plates in their late twenties /early thirties – perhaps you need a little more time ?
Black and silver number plates (on a car built after January 1st 1973- which shouldn’t have them)
Largely fitted to Black vehicles as the colour combination is good – Black and white or black and silver number plates can only be legally fitted to a vehicle built before 1st January 1973.
Any other vehicle with these numberplates is breaking the law – no matter how good it may look.
What does this say about you?
Rebel – There are a million laws for motorists and sometimes it’s difficult and inconvenient to follow them all – you flout the rules as it makes your car look cooler.
Stylish – black and silver number plates can make a car look good – particularly a black car and more often than not Range rover and Bentley owners use Black and Silver number plates to enhance their appearance.
Illegal number plates – illegal fonts, spacing and flags etc
In a similar regard to Black and Silver number plates – number plates with illegal fonts and spacing have become a way to “improve” the appearance of your vehicle.
Illegal number plates have also allowed distortion of numberplates to read words or names – this is chiefly for financial reasons but in the eyes of the law this is a serious offence.
What does this say about you?
Rebel – There are a million laws for motorists and sometimes it’s difficult and inconvenient to follow them all – you flout the rules as it makes your car look cooler.
See also – look alike number plates.
So there you have it – our brief (and opinionated) guide to what your number plates say about you.
December 21, 2008 at 10:44 am
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