Personal number plates are constantly increasing in popularity, some leaving you confused, happy, knowledgeable and in laughter. Sure, number plates are an excellent source of promoting your name or business, but why stop there? Putting a smile on strangers’ faces has got to be an advantage of these quirky little displays, but just how many of them are causing offence and uproar?
The DVLA is a popular and well-trusted organisation that helps us with our cars. But what happens when they make mistakes that we can’t help but laugh at? Apparently innocent, but fun, combinations are spilling out through the DVLA all the time. ‘PEN 15’ will of course make a few chuckle to themselves, maybe discomfort some and go over the heads of many.
A few months ago, the DVLA ordered a motorist from Chesterfield to remove his personal number plate reading ‘BO11 LUX’ due to its causing offence, although it was sold directly off the official DVLA website for just £399. A spokesman exclaimed on this topic that ‘DVLA tries to identify combinations that may cause offence, and on the rare occasion where potentially offensive numbers slip through the net, steps are taken to withdraw the registration number.’ The disheartened man received a ‘strongly worded letter’ from the DVLA and was threatened to be criminalised, when all he wanted was to portray his cheeky personality whilst making himself and others laugh.
Not all humorous number plates are offensive or distasteful, however. For a large person, is the plate reading ‘FAT 1’. Imagine that on a big and beautiful hummer or jeep. Alternatively, this could be a cheerful personal wonder for an individual with a large physique, large heart and a large car to suit them, who’s proud of it.
Some believe that the model of car we drive illuminates our personality. Perhaps a small Corsa shows some shyness, a bold yellow Porsche shows your bright and speedy personality, whilst motorbikes portray your daring and brave self. However, the money to buy the personality matching car brakes on that creativeness. So, that’s where personalised number plates come to the rescue.
For the ditzy blonde that isn’t afraid to show it is the recorded plate reading ‘B1 MB0’, something that some girls don’t like to admit, but can have a giggle at. Another girly but stylish plate is ‘M155 SXY’, perfect to flaunt confidence.
There are even plates that portray their driver and their interests spot on. A popular US number plate read ‘ETALLIC’ with the recognisable M and A of the ‘Metallica’ band logo at the beginning and end of the plate on the car, clearly showing our music crazed driver for what they are. For those more sweet and kind drivers is the recorded plate of ‘CUP IIID’, possibly their favourite present from Valentine’s day or an anniversary.
Where ever we walk or drive and see these things, there is no mistaking that personal number plates are doing what they do best; bringing fun and laughter with a mixture of class and style as the perfect accessory to any vehicle.
About the Author: Tim Wheeler is a PR consultant for Platinum Plates who specialise in car registration numbers in the UK. They offer a wide range of private car plates to suit all budgets