Private number plates from Regtransfers
The UK's biggest supplier of private number plates
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Private number plates
Regtransfers is the UK's largest private number plate supplier. Established in 1982, we have a 40-year track record in the industry and a second to none reputation.
Finding and purchasing your dream number plate is a safe and easy process. As the industry leader with more than 50 million number plates, we are perfectly placed to help you. All you need to do is enter your name, initials or favourite numbers in the search box.
We can help you sell your private registration number too. Selling is also a simple matter with our help. Start today with a free, no-obligation valuation from our team of experts.
Whether you are looking to buy or sell a personal number plate, our friendly and experienced team will be here to provide you with unbeatable value and service.
Buy number plates
With our help, owning your own personalised number plate has never been easier. Whether it's for your own car, a gift for a loved one or as an investment, we offer you the best chance of finding that perfect registration from the UK's largest selection of private number plates.
Sell number plates
Receive a free, no-obligation valuation today from our specialised team of experts. With 40 years of experience, we can provide you with an informed and realistic price estimate, giving you the best chance of selling your private number plate to thousands of potential buyers at the right price.
Number plate auctions
Our premium private number plate auction service offers a safe environment for both buying and selling online. As always, we make the process as easy as possible and offer you the reassurance that comes from knowing that we will oversee the whole transaction.
Number plates magazine - FREE!
The latest issue of The World of Personal Number Plates. Available to order today completely free of charge.
Finance for private number plates
We have partnered with V12 to provide you with great competitive finance options. We allow you to easily spread the cost of your personal number plate, so you can buy your private registration on your terms.
Number plate guides
Learn about transferring registrations, how registrations came into existence, the formats and how they have changed over the years.
Why choose Regtransfers?
Featured auction number plates
Important private number plates information
There are certain details to be considered when buying a private number plate. You should first make sure that the number plate you want to buy is compatible with your vehicle. It is not permitted to assign a plate that makes your car appear younger than it actually is. You will need to ensure that your personalised number plate meets DVLA's legal requirements.
When you buy a number plate from Regtransfers, you will receive the services of a specialist. We will take care of all the formalities and check the relevant details so the purchase of your registration number can be quick and seamless.
Number plate transfer
If you wish to have private number plates on your vehicle you must acquire the right to display the new number. This means having the number officially transferred to your vehicle in place of its old number. You may not change your registration number by simply buying plastic number plates bearing the number you desire. Without completing the transfer process the registration shown on the V5C registration document will not be changed. It is illegal to display a registration number other than that shown on the vehicle’s V5C.
Number plate specs
Additionally, there are strict regulations governing the display of registration numbers on number plates. Plates must conform to a set of specifications relating to colour; size; reflectivity; decoration and character size, font and spacing.
Failing to comply with display regulations can result in MOT failure, a fine and permanent loss of the registration number concerned. We provide a full explanation of the rules governing number plates display.
Number plate rules
Another consideration when purchasing personalised number plates is the compatibility of the vehicle and the registration number. It is not permitted to display a registration bearing a year code later than the vehicle’s date of original registration. So, it would not be legal to display a current-style ‘57’ number plate on a vehicle originally registered in 2002. However, displaying a registration that is older than the car - a ‘51’ registration, for example - would be permitted. Please see our full explanation of UK car registrations, date codes etc.
Number plate formats
The Motor Car Act of 1903 introduced number plates to the UK. Since then, there have been several number plate formats created to accommodate the growing number of vehicles on the road. The scheme started with dateless plates, which did not feature an age identifier. In 1963, the dateless format was replaced by the suffix-style number plates. The prefix format was released in 1983 when suffix combinations ran short. This led to the year character moving to the beginning of the registration number. The current style of number plate has been in place since 2001 and has been designed to be operable until 2050.
Dateless 1903 - 1962
Early number plates were simple; the letter region code and a unique number to identify the vehicle.
Suffix 1962 - 1982
The Suffix format contains the area code (letters), three random numbers and an age identifier.
Prefix 1983 - 2001
The Prefix format contains an age identifier, three random numbers and an area code.
Current 2001 - present
The Infix format contains a Local Memory Tag, an age identifier and a series of random letters.
Reviews
We value customer satisfaction above all else, so we are very proud to have served over a million satisfied customers in our 40 years of business.
I love how easy it was to find this numberplate on the Regtransfers website. I think you’re the best when it comes to getting personalised number plates. It doesn’t get easier than this.
What I love about your brand is that you’ve built up a name that is really synonymous with giving good customer service. You always have the best plates and you’ve been in the industry so long that you’re the trusted name.
My first name is Briony which clearly makes B21 ONY an unbeatable plate for me. I'm thankful my parents didn't pick the more popular spelling 'Bryony'. The plate has had many compliments over my past 12 months of ownership and it's a plate I'll have for life.
I’m a huge fan of Regtransfers. I’m extremely happy with my plate it goes really well with my collection.
Number plate FAQs
No. Most personalised number plates can be supplied on a certificate. Once you have the certificate, you will have until the certificate's expiry date (usually 10 years from when you buy it) to transfer the personalised number plate to a vehicle of your choice.
If you are buying a number plate and you want it transferred onto your vehicle straight away then you will need to provide the following documents:
- The original of the vehicle's most recent V5C Registration Certificate, sometimes known as the logbook
- Details of current MOT test certification (if applicable). We do not need your actual MOT certificate.
- Details of your current road TAX
If you are buying a number plate and would like to put it on a vehicle at some later date:
- No documents are required initially. You will need the documents mentioned above when you do come to transfer your number plate onto your intended vehicle.
You may not attempt to make a vehicle look newer than it actually is.
You have 2 options:
- You may choose to pay the Department for Transport retention fee (currently £80) and retain the number. This means that the number will be transferred onto a certificate that you can later use to put that number plate onto another vehicle.
- You can choose not to keep the old number. If you do not retain the number on a certificate as described above, or transfer it to another vehicle, then it will be lost when you receive your amended V5C showing your new registration. When you receive your new V5C showing the new registration, you must remove the old number plates and display the new number.
Transfers done by post usually take 10-15 working days where payment clears successfully and all documentation is provided and completed correctly. In some cases we are able to conduct the transfer online. Where this is possible the process is much faster and the transfer can be achieved almost immediately on receipt of cleared funds and correct documents.
Got additional questions? Get them answered with our full frequently asked questions page.