Plates4Less Smart Search Launch

How Does It Work?

Our unique number plate generator produces all the possible searches available based on your input, checking a database of over 50 million plates for suitable matches. To start, simply type in what you’re looking for (whether it’s a name, keyword, special number sequence, initials or anything!) and our Smart-Search will do the work for you, generating results tailored to your preferences.

Searching for ‘Smart’ with new Smart Search The Smart-Search will automatically work out the number and letter substitutions for you - for example if you search for PETER, the search will generate more results than PET3R or P3TER.

If are looking to search a little deeper for something more specific, simply click on the ‘Advanced Options’ tab to filter the search results by plate style, status, budget etc. Alternatively, you can choose to search by different styles (for example by all prefix registrations) by clicking the ‘Find & Buy Private Number Plates’ button and choosing which style. This will allow you to add in each character individually which will produce every available registration containing those letters or numbers.

Plate Statuses

As you browse through your search results, you will notice that the private number plates are listed with different descriptions such as ’AVAILABLE NOW’ or ’CHECK IT NOW’. Many of the private number plates are listed by individual sellers and so these statuses help you to see the availability of a registration immediately.

The search system will automatically tell you in the results if a registration is ’AVAILABLE NOW’, or if we need to ’CHECK IT NOW‘.

Age Identifiers

UK Registrations were first introduced by local licensing authorities in 1903, beginning with what we know today as Dateless-Style

registrations. In February 1963 the Suffix-Style registration was introduced because the DVLA were running out of dateless combinations to use, having already issued millions of vehicle registration marks across the country.

The Suffix-Style saw the introduction of age-identifiers on number plates - a feature that is still applied to registrations today with the Current Style registrations. Age identifiers were introduced by the DVLA for two reasons: it made it difficult for people selling their cars to lie about the age of their vehicle, which was an issue; especially before the digitisation of DVLA records. The age identifier also encouraged people to purchase newer vehicles as they were released, there was always a spike in car sales when a new age-identifier was released and seeing a “new reg” was always a conversation point.

When choosing a registration it is important to note that you cannot assign a registration mark which has a newer age identifier to a vehicle that the vehicle age itself. Essentially, you cannot make a vehicle look newer than it is by putting a newer private registration mark on. This means that you will need to check that the age of the registration is suitable for your vehicle. You can check your vehicle age here.

Searching By Plate

Style Prefix-Style Registration

The Prefix-Style Search will show results for registrations following the format A*BBB. Prefix style registrations cannot incorporate the letters I, Q or Z; O and U can only appear in the last three letters.

Choose at least two options from the drop down menu. If you are trying to spell a word and need to fill the space where a letter should be you can use any number, or select the number that most closely resembles the letter you need.

For example, if you wanted a registration for a dog grooming business, you may just want to find a registration beginning with K9. A Prefix style search can show you all of the private number plates that we have available that begin with K9.

These are all using the prefix style!

Current-Style Registration

The Current-Style Search will show results for registrations following the format AA**AAA.

New registrations are released in this style twice a year. They are issued between 1st March - 31st August, and 1st September - 28th February. Current style registrations cannot incorporate the letters I or Q; and Z can only appear in the last three letters. Choose at least three options from the drop down menu. If you are trying to spell a word and need to fill the space where a letter should be you can use any number, or select the number that most closely resembles the letter you need.

Current style registrations allow for longer words and more combinations than previous styles.

These are all using the current style!

Suffix-Style Registration

The Suffix-Style Search will show results for registrations following the format BBB*A.

Suffix style registrations cannot incorporate the letters I, Q or Z; O and U can only appear in the first three letters. Choose at least one options from the drop down menu. If you are trying to spell a word and need to fill the space where a letter should be you can use any number, or select the number that most closely resembles the letter you need.

Most Suffix-Style private number plates are used as alternative for dateless plates as the format helps them to stand out against Prefix and Current Style registrations. Please see below for an example of this type of search:

These are all using the suffix style!

Dateless-Style Registration

The Dateless-Style Search will show results of registrations that can be applied to any age vehicle suitable to take part in a transfer.

Type in a combination of letters or numbers, and the Dateless-Style Search will generate results containing those figures. If the search cannot find a match, try using fewer digits. A dateless style plate will have a maximum of 3 letters or 4 numbers, and will not contain an I or a Z.

Alternatively, by clicking on “Advanced” you can choose an exact search to enter individual digits.

These are all using the dateless style!

Irish-Style Registration

The Irish-Style Search will show results for registrations which can be applied to any age of UK vehicle.

Type in a combination of letters or numbers and the Irish-Style Search will generate results matching those figures. Irish Style registrations always contain and I or a Z.

Alternatively you can browse all of the Irish-Style letter combinations.