Cherished Number Plates

Cherished number plates offer a unique way to personalise your vehicle, combining individuality, prestige, and timeless style. Unlike standard plates, cherished registrations can display meaningful numbers, initials, or words — and no two are the same.

What Are Cherished Number Plates?

Cherished number plates predate the modern vehicle registration system and were issued before the introduction of age identifiers. These plates often feature short, memorable combinations of letters and numbers, making them highly desirable and sometimes extremely valuable.

They’re different from standard DVLA-issued plates, which follow a fixed format introduced in 2001:

• 2 letters – area of registration
• 2 numbers – year of registration
• 3 random letters

This format is used across the UK, except for Northern Ireland, which uses a different system.

Why Choose a Cherished Plate?

Because cherished plates were issued before age identifiers, they’re considered timeless. Their rarity, combined with unique personal significance, makes them an attractive option for motorists looking to stand out.

• One-of-a-kind exclusivity — no two plates are alike
• Potential investment value
• Personal or sentimental meaning
• Prestige and classic appeal

How to Transfer a Cherished Number Plate

A cherished registration can either be:

• On a vehicle
• Held on a certificate of entitlement

You can transfer a plate from a vehicle to a certificate or from a certificate to a vehicle. A DVLA fee of £80 is required to make the plate transferable.

Transfer Requirements

• Vehicles must be taxed and have a valid MOT
• Certificates must be current (not expired)
• The V5C logbook is required for vehicle transfers

Transfers can be done online or by post. Once a cherished plate is removed from a vehicle, a suitable age-related registration (usually the original plate) will be re-assigned.

Legal Rules for Cherished Number Plates

The primary rule is that a cherished number plate cannot be used to make a vehicle look newer than it is. This helps prevent misleading buyers about a vehicle’s age.

Historically, unscrupulous sellers would try to disguise older vehicles with newer-looking plates. Today, most cherished plates do the opposite — they make vehicles appear older or timeless, adding a classic edge.

As long as your cherished plate is legally acquired, transferred using the proper forms, and follows DVLA age rules, you are free to use it on your vehicle.

Find Your Cherished Plate

At PlusPlates, we make it easy to browse and purchase cherished number plates. Our system searches millions of plates to match your name, initials, or meaningful word.