Owning and Collecting Private Number Plates

The popularity of personalised private number platesMany number plate collectors and fans choose to
has risen vastly over the last decade and private carbecome members of the Registration Numbers Club
registrations are now a must have motoring(RNC), which is the only UK based club for number
accessory. People from all walks of life areplate enthusiasts. It was founded in 1977 and the
discovering the joys and benefits of having their ownnumber of members has grown considerably since.
personal number plate and the number of ownersThe RNC publishes a quarterly newsletter called
continues to rise.“RNC News” which provides details of
The reasons why people chose to buy personalupcoming events and interesting number plate stories
number plates are endless. To some people theyfrom its members. The RNC is run by volunteers,
represent the ultimate personal gift for a loved one,with Steve Waldenberg acting as Honorary Organising
while other people are simply indulging themselvesSecretary from the head office in Leeds. For more
and adding a personal touch to their car. Manyinformation on the RNC you contact them at RNC
companies buy private number plates as a uniqueOffice, PO BOX MT12, Leeds, LS17 7UD.
form of advertising their and number plate collectorsThis years Registration Numbers Club annual rally was
buy registrations as a hobby or investment. Numberheld in June at the picturesque Woburn Abbey in
plate enthusiasts and collectors often own largeBedfordshire. The event saw members turning up en
collections of private plates which they have built upmass with their cars and motorbikes to display their
over time. The age of some of the registrations inown private number plates and cherished
such collections date back to 1903 when numberregistrations. People of all ages and backgrounds
plates we made compulsory in the UK.attend these events for the opportunity to meet
Many collectors attend the DVLA auctions in theother number plate enthusiasts and collectors. The
hope of adding a classic car registration to theirRNC hold competitions for members number plates,
collections. These auctions are held every fewincluding such categories are best name plate, best
months throughout the year at exclusive hotels andprefix number plate, and the best “Number
stately homes and provide number plate collectors1” registration.
and enthusiasts a place to meet up and bid onEvery number plate is totally unique and can mean so
previously unreleased registrations. Name plates,many different things to so many people. Car
dateless car registrations and humorous private platesregistrations provide an increasing number of
are all offer at the auctions, which are a perfectindividuals with a fun hobby as they strive to build
place to network and socialise with other numbertheir collection and find ever scarcer car registration
plate fans.numbers. To others they represent a great present
Recently there has been an increasing trend to investfrom a family member that will last their lifetime and
in private number plates [ and many people are nowan asset which can be passed down to younger
purchasing car registrations to diversify their financialgenerations. To others they are simply an
portfolio. Often these investors see excellent returnsinvestment, adding a prestigious touch to their
on their investment due to the unique nature of eachvehicle, as they grow in value over time. Whatever
number plate. Number plates with fewer letters andthe reason for owning and collecting personal number
low numbers are typically the most expensiveplates, there is a number plate out there that is
number plates on the market, with the exception ofperfect for you. Now is the time to find your
certain “name plates” (a personalpersonal number…before someone else does!
number plate which reads a name).