Number Plates News

James Bond Plate to Star in Island Auction

13 April 2011

Some terrific '0' and '00' prefix number plates are to be sold at auction in Guernsey.

The island is not, technically, part of the United Kingdom and has its own government and legal system. Because of this, and its small number of vehicles, it has been able to adopt a unique vehicle registration system which uses numbers and no letters - with the exception of those reserved for government officials.

In their introduction to the auction catalogue, the island's Environment Department concedes that, whilst the option of introducing letters had been considered, such a move would destroy a "unique aspect of Guernsey life".

The sale is expected to raise more than £1m in much-needed revenue for the island. The '0' and '00' series plates are an innovative addition to Guernsey's registration system and the computer database has been tweaked in order to accommodate them. Of the new numbers on offer, the most interest is naturally expected to surround the fantastic '007' arrangement.

Registrations featuring the digits one, two and three, have always been reserved for local dignitaries and holders of posts such as bailiff and lieutenant governor. Consequently, it was decided to uphold the tradition by not including the series '01', '001', '02', '002', '03' or '003' in the new issue.