Number Plates Search
Most expensive numbers sold
- '5' - £3.5million (Dubai - 2007)
- 'M 1' - £331,500 (2006)
- 'VIP 1' - £285,000 (2006)
- '51 NGH' - £254,000 (2006)
- 'GS 1' - £258,775 (2005)
- 'K1 NGS' - £231,000 (1993)
The history behind car number plates
Did you know that car number plates have been adorning vehicles in Britain since 1903?
Legend has it that Earl Russell camped out overnight in London to ensure that he would receive the registration number A 1. However, this wasn't the first car number plate to be issued...
Click here to read a history of car number plates
DVLC
DVLC - The name change
Well known for issuing registration
plates, the DVLA, formerly
known as the DVLC, are an Executive Agency
of the Department for Transport.
The DVLC became DVLA in 1990, rendering the DVLC acronym obsolete. Any reference to the old DVLC agency should be forwarded to the new agency. DVLC was an acronym for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre, whilst the new acronym is for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
The remodelled DVLC currently has 40 offices in England and Wales, and is based in Swansea, in south Wales. DVLC also have a prominent 16 storey computer centre building in Clase. You can even find your nearest DVLC office on this website.
In February 2007, a letter bomb was sent to the DVLC headquarters in Swansea, injuring four people. Similar bombs were sent to Capita in London, and it was believed that somebody was deliberately targeting organisations who enforced motoring charges and offences. A school caretaker was arrested a few days later and charged.
DVLC also deal with ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) systems,
and driver licencing. ANPR systems are used to track
drivers in London who have not paid the congestion
charge, as well as tracking down unlicensed, untaxed
or uninsured vehicles and drivers.
Number plates are issued by the agency twice a year, in March and September, and are available from plate dealers. You can view all DVLC plates currently available by using the search box at the top-left of this website.
DVLC / DVLA number plates are probably the most cost-effective way of owning your own personalised number plate, with prices starting from £189. You can be the proud owner of a personalised plate showing your initials or name from just a few hundred pounds. If you buy your plate through a reputable dealer such as Regtransfers, you can have the plate on your car within days and they will take care of all the messy paperwork and red tape for you.
More DVLA and DVLC information can be obtained on the government agency's own website. Numberplates.com is not affiliated with the DVLA or DVLC.