Personalised number plate sales have always been high. People love nothing more than personalising their new car with a one-of-a-kind plate that makes their car different from all others on the road. They also make great gifts too when you are buying for someone special! But, did you know that you may end up wasting money on them?
Are personalised number plates legal?
However, did you know that some plates are actually banned from the road? There is a small selection of number plates that have been banned from the road by the DVLA. Some of these plates are obvious, such as number plates that make religious references. The last thing the DVLA wants is for a number plate to cause offence or create problems.
Can you buy a religious license plate?
Religion can be a sore subject for a lot of people. Sadly, if you were to have a religious number plate, your car could be targeted with vandalism and other forms of damage. Understandably, it is not a risk the DVLA wants to take, which is why these sorts of number plates are not allowed. Plus, there are some people that would purchase religious number plates for the wrong reasons, i.e. to cause trouble and offence rather than showing their support for religion.
What to avoid when choosing a new plate
There are some plates that have been banned that are quite bizarre. So, whether you’re heading to a Land Rover dealer and want a flashy new plate or you’re buying a gift for a friend, it’s important to know about them.
Why are these plates banned?
The reasons remain unknown. The good news is that these sorts of bans are very rare, so it only applies to a small number of plates. Some, you may be able to work out for yourself, for example, MA55 MDR. Whoever wanted to buy this plate was hinting at having ‘Mass Murder’ on their car, not really a great message, is it?
Needless to say, any car number plates that include vulgar terms or references to alcohol are banned. So, if you are thinking about getting ‘VOKDA 1’ it’s probably not the best idea in the world. Moreover, you certainly shouldn’t pick anything with nasty swear words or offensive terms. It is just not worth the risk.
Are personalised plates a waste of money?
Yes, personalised plates are a waste of money as they can cause more problems than not. Even though private number plate companies try to avoid selling plates that are banned, the same set of rules may change the following year.
A publicly-funded committee meets on a six-month basis, and they will add any number plates that they believe are not suitable for the roads in the UK. They have the right to demand the withdrawal of any plates they do not think are appropriate. A plate that is deemed fine now could be banned six months later.
You don’t have to worry about this at all with most plates – only if you have chosen something blatantly offensive. So, whether you are buying or leasing a car and want a new plate, be sure it does not cause offence.
Sharne is an HR and Office Administrator with a degree in Classical & Archaeological studies. She has a passion for dogs and loves to share money management tricks in her spare time!
