Number plate search guide

Helpful tips

• If you need guidance you can access the Number Plates Guides for relevant help by clicking this icon

• To find out which private numberplates are suitable for your age of vehicle, use our handy transfer age checking tool

About the Smart Search

Our unique system generates all the private number plate searches possible, based on your input, and then checks our database of over 50 million plates for suitable matches.

The Smart Search system does all the work so you don’t have to! If you don’t find anything you really like, simply complete a short enquiry form and one of our expert personnel will do the searching for you.

How to use the Smart Search

To start simply type in what you are looking for, whether it’s a name, a keyword, a special number sequence, initials, anything. Our Smart Search will do the work for you, generating results tailored to your preferences.

If you would like to search a little deeper for something more specific, simply click on the Advanced Options tab which will allow you to filter the search results by plate style, plate status, budget etc. This is a great option if you have something specific in mind you would like to purchase.

Helpful tip

• If you’re searching for a specific word let the Smart Search system work out the number/letter swaps for you; PETER, for example, will get you better results than P3T3R.

Plate status descriptions explained

As you browse through your search results, you will notice that the private numberplates are listed with different descriptions such as AVAILABLE NOW' or ‘CHECK IT NOW’. This guide will help you understand the differences between the different types of private number plate.

• NEW – AVAILABLE NOW: You will be the first person to own the exclusive rights to use these private number plates. You can purchase these over the phone or online, immediately, with a choice of transfer options.
• PRE-OWNED – AVAILABLE NOW: These private number plates are already in private ownership but are available to buy straight away over the phone or online. Some are held on certificates and some are being used on vehicles, so transfer options will vary.
• PRE-OWNED – CHECK IT NOW: These private numberplates are already privately owned and we are acting for the seller as their agent. If you enquire into one of these we will contact the seller to confirm availability and other details before proceeding.
• NEW RELEASE – HOW TO BUY: These private number plates are new-series government releases which occur twice each year. They have never existed before and will be released as part of the next registration mark sequence.

Click the View button to:

• See your chosen private number plate on a selection of example vehicles
• Learn about and choose additional purchase options
• See the full price for the private numberplate, including VAT and the Government Transfer Fee*

*As with all other private number plate transfer agents, prices are initially shown excluding VAT and Government Transfer fees by default.

The UK number plate system was introduced in late 1903 with the registration 'A1', debatably, being the first. Registration marks were issued in sequence and related to the geographic area they were issued. The registration system has undergone many changes since then. We have put together a brief guide to the different private numberplate styles for you below.

Dateless Style number plates (Mainland UK) (issued between 1903 and 1963)

123 ABC ABC 123 Show Me How

A 1 The Ultimate Registration Mark

25 JR Janet And Ronald’s 25^th Anniversary

999 ROB Rob The Fire-fighter

TOY 5 Ideal For Toyota or Toy Store Owners

AJL 33 April Jeanette Lee

4 CMP For Christopher Michael Parkinson

ALF 45 Alfred

XMA 55 It’s Christmas!

• Can be transferred to any age vehicle
• Very rare due to their age
• Generally the most expensive style
• No I, Q or Z in the registration

I wanted a Dateless plate to cover the age of my vehicle and that would hopefully act as an investment. Plates4Less suggested BB 1967, BJB 808 and XOX 222.

Our Dateless Number Plates area is the most comprehensive in the industry, including lots of useful tools, check out these areas (these links open in new window):

• Number 1’s
• Browse by plate structure
• Exact Search
• Cheapest Dateless plates

Suffix Style number plates (issued between 1963 and 1983)

ABC 1A Show Me How

ANG 314D Angela Davies

KEN 1X Kenneth, Number 1, Kiss

JON 3S Jones

EDW 412D Edward

GHO 5T Ideal For Rolls Royce Owners and Supernatural Believers!

RAC 3R Racer

JAC 1P Jack or Jacqueline, Number 1, Peters

CAB 846E Cabbage, For Vegetarians!

TVR 802T TVR

TVR 4X TVR

BMW 763V BMW

COS 74A Costa

JAG 805S Jag Boss

• Age identifier is the last letter (suffix)
• No I, Q or Z in the registration

Plates4Less offered me SAL 19Y which was a great option for us. suggested BB 1967, BJB 808 and XOX 222.

Here are interesting areas for you to look at (these links open in new window):

• View and browse Suffix Years
• Suffix 1's plates

Prefix Style number plates (issued between 1983 and 2001)

A1 ABC Show Me How

L4 URA LAURA

E12 ROR Computer Developers

G3 MMA Gemma

M155 GEG Miss Grace Elizabeth Gallagher

K155 AJS Kiss, Amy Jane Smith

J46 UAR Jaguar

X999 ROB Kiss, For Rob who works in emergency services

N16 GKM Nov 16^th (Date of Birth), George K Moore

X40 JHD Kiss, 40^th Birthday, Janet Hannah Davies

K8 KLX Katherine (Kate) Lambert, X for a kiss

• Age identifier is the first letter (prefix)
• No I, Q or Z in the registration

I wanted a fun plate for my new car. Plates4Less found K155ESS for me which I love!

Take a look at the useful features within our Prefix Style Area (opens in new window)

Current Style number plates (issued since 2001)

AA51 ABC Show Me How

OO07 RAY For Raymond, A James Bond fan

AN63 LAJ Angela Jones

YU11 MMY Tasty Plate!

LO12 RYS Haulage Firm

AN11 MAL Sports Car Fans/ Vets

SH12 LEY Best Plate for Shirley

SA12 AHJ Sarah Jayne

BO55 RPJ Boss, Rhys Paul James

JE55 GAZ Jessica and Gary

MR52 DVS Mrs Davies

XK03 JRC XK Jaguar, John Robert Clark

JD04 CPD Mr John Dawson and Mrs Claire P Dawson

FA57 BMW Fast BMW car

BE57 JAG Best Jaguar car

• Age identifier is the two digit number in the middle
• No I or Q and Z only in the last three letters

I was looking for a plate that spelled my name exactly. Plates4Less suggested the ultimate ‘Shirley’ plate, SH12LEY.

Find your perfect plate by searching in our Current Style Area (opens in new window)

Information centre

If you would like to access our Information Centre, where you will find guidance about everything number plate related just click on the button whenever you see it.

Help finding results

If you cannot find what you are looking for or would like some help with your search results then simply complete the Search Assistance

form and one of our friendly, expert sales team will contact you with some ideas.

Any other Query

If you require any further assistance or need help with any other queries, click on a Request Help button to submit your details for our friendly, expert sales team to contact you. Alternatively call us on 01792 477316.