Shopping for personalised number plates can be pretty exciting. Why? Well, you’re picking out a plate to represent you, whilst also looking for an accessory that will add character to your car and distinguish it from others!

However, there are important factors to consider when going through the buying process. Be sure to follow our tips to ensure that purchasing a personalised number plate goes as smoothly as possible!

Give yourself a budget…

Whilst it may be tempting to start browsing with guns blazing, this can be dangerous territory. Like with any sort of shopping, you’re likely to choose the most expensive thing available. Therefore, you should set yourself a budget. This way, there’s no way of looking at a plate that you know you can’t afford.

…And stick to it!

A budget is there for a reason. Don’t stray far from it or otherwise you could find yourself in a messy situation. How? Well, you may feel like you have to break your budget to get the perfect plate which isn’t the case. Always stay on budget and you’ll stay out of trouble.

Select a style with personal appeal

There may be some good in ‘dressing to impress’, but it’s important that you feel good too. And it’s the same with personalised number plates. Whilst you want to wow people with your head turning plate, it’s essential that you choose one you love. This way, it won’t lose its appeal years down the line as it’ll be something that means something to you, rather than it purely being a status symbol.

Have other options

Granted, you may have a particular plate in mind. However, it’s best to consider other options just in case it has already been snapped up by someone else. If this is the case, the plate won’t be available for three years from purchase, plus the owner can renew it as many times as he or she likes. What does this mean? You could be waiting a very long time. Think of a few possible variations of your chosen number and letters rather than concentrating on getting hold of one specific plate.

Consider the fees to fork out

Like with most things in life, a fee comes hand in hand. And it’s no different with personalised number plates. The DVLA charges an assignment fee, which is used to assign a plate to a vehicle, and a fee to add or change details when transferring ownership. Although this is standard, these fees can be quite costly if you’re already on a tight budget so it’s important to bear these in mind.

Making a vehicle look newer is a no

The DVLA doesn’t approve of personalised number plates being used to make a vehicle look newer than it is, therefore you should avoid this at all costs. So, when choosing a plate, remember that you can only assign it to a vehicle of the same age or older than the current registration. You can make your vehicle appear to be older, but the other way round is a big no. It’s the golden rule!

The plate and its paperwork come as a pair

If you buy a personalised plate, you need to ensure that the paperwork the DVLA needs comes with it. Why? Well, not having it can cause delay with the application process and the DVLA can downright refuse to grant the owner a new number plate.

About the writer

So, now you know what to consider when shopping for a personalised registration plate. Are you ready to start the buying process? Then look no further than Primo Registrations. Here you’ll find a range of personalised number plates at affordable prices. Call 01252 49 1111 for more information.