Who is more likely to have a private number plate, drivers in the north or south? We reveal all as the new 73 plate arrives in September

September 1 marks the arrival of a new number plate ‘age identifier’, with 73 plates being fitted to new models registered from today (1 September). 

Its advent also opens up a selection of new combinations for drivers to purchase to personalise their car.

But are motorists in the north or south more likely to have a private plate? A new study claims to have the answer as This is Money explains what the arrival of the 73 plate means to motorists.

The new 73 plate has arrived today (1 September), which means there is a host of new personalised plate combinations available to drivers. But who is more likely to have a private plate on their car, drivers in the North or South? Admiral claims to have the answer…

The UK’s personalised number plate market is now worth an estimated £2billion, according to businesses operating in the sector.

British motorists are spending millions of pounds on them every year and the Treasury has cashed in on billions from private plate sales since their inception.

 And a new study by Admiral Car Insurance has crunched the data from over five million UK motorists to see exactly who’s behind the wheel of cars with customised plates. 

Its data reveals there is a clear North-South divide, though the higher regional demand might not be what most people were expecting.

That’s because Scots and Northerners are far more likely to have a private plate than those from the South of England, the insurer claims.

The research shows the top ten postcode areas for personalised number plates are all in Scotland. 

Motherwell (ML) takes the top spot with more than one in six (16 per cent) of the insurer’s customers there sporting one. 

Meanwhile, drivers living in East London (E) are the least likely to have non-standard plates, with just 4 per cent of motorists having a private plate.

And there are other trends when it comes to personalised number plates. 

For instance, while drivers aged over 50 (25 per cent) are most likely to drive a car with a private registration plate, there is a surprising rise in the number of younger motorists who have them. 

Nearly one in ten (9 per cent) of Admiral Car Insurance customers aged 18–21 have one, which is more than those in their 20s (7 per cent), 30s (6 per cent) and 40s (8 per cent).

While the insurer believes these are commonly gifts to new drivers from family to celebrate a freshly passed driving test or milestone birthdays, it seems that the younger generation is bringing them back into fashion.

In terms of job titles, those who work in property are among the most likely to have a personalised plate, as landlords (23 per cent), housing developers (22 per cent), and housing directors (16 per cent) are all among the top twenty occupations to own a custom-made number plate. 

However, it is company directors who are most likely to have one, with nearly two in five (38 per cent) of those Admiral insures owning them. 

For those in creative fields, they are less appealing. 

Animators (2 per cent), illustrators (3 per cent), TV producers (3 per cent), and copywriters (3 per cent) are all among the bottom ten occupations when it comes to opting for one.

Yet it is archeologists who are least likely to have a non-standard plate, with only 1.7 per cent of Admiral customers in this field driving around with a personalised combination of letters and numbers of their vehicles. 

Unsurprisingly, luxury cars are most likely to sport a bespoke plate. Bentley Continentals – which can cost more than £180,000 brand new – are most likely to have a private plate. 

A whopping three in five (61 per cent) of Continental owners Admiral insures has one registered to their premium sports car. 

By contrast, the Chevrolet Matiz is the motor least likely to have a private number plate, with only 1 per cent insured with Admiral in the UK having one.

Clare Egan, head of motor product at Admiral Insurance said: ‘Even if you can’t afford a brand-new car with the new ’73’ number plate on the 1 September, you can still update your existing motor with personalised plates.

‘You can buy a new number plate for as little as £150, and you’ll have to pay an £80 fee to transfer the plate.’

She added: ‘Private number plates are one of those Marmite things that some people love and others hate. 

‘Our data reveals some definite divisions, with the north-south divide finding its way into the debate. 

‘They are most popular in Scotland and the North of England, where drivers may prefer to express their individuality through their number plate. But drive a few hundred miles down the M6 and M1 and you’ll find drivers who would be sinking in their seats at the thought of it.’

New ’73’ plate arrives – but what do the rest of the numbers and letters mean?

A new age identifying number for vehicle number plates is released biennially – one on 1 March and the second on 1 September.

These make up the third and fourth character of the plate, with March seeing the arrival of ’23’, which has now been replaced with ’73’.

The rest of the characters on the plate are given as usual, with the first few letters indicating the region where the car is registered.,

The end of the number plate, however, is randomly generated and is used as a way of uniquely identifying the car. 

Where was your car registered?

Below is the list of regional identifiers from the DVLA’s guide. It will not use I, Q or Z in local tag identifiers and will only use Z as a random letter.

Source: DVLA Vehicle registration numbers and number plates document INF104

What rules are there about how plates are displayed? 

Manufacturers making plates must follow rules around fonts, font sizes, colours and placements. 

Drivers who don’t display their number plate correctly will fail their MOT and could be fined up to £1,000 if caught.

In practice you will regularly see number plates where the display has been tweaked to make it say a word or name, but this is not legal and police can and do pull people over for it. 

The DVLA guide to number plates explains: ‘You cannot rearrange or misrepresent the numbers and letters on a number plate to form names or words, so that they are hard to read. 

‘For example, fixing bolts to change any of the letters or numbers. You could be fined up to £1,000 and your car will fail its MOT test if you drive with incorrectly displayed number plates. 

‘In some cases, the registration number may be permanently withdrawn. If you misrepresent a vehicle registration number you will not get back any money that you have paid for the registration number, or any other costs you have to pay. 

‘You can’t use a registration number to make your vehicle appear younger than it actually is.’

How number plates are laid out and what the different elements mean (Source: DVLA)

And it’s also worth noting that, if your number plate is not up to scratch, it could result in a failed MOT.

This is the case when the number plate is obscured, damaged, or if it presents features that affect the appearance and legibility of its letters and numbers.

Even if it is cracked or chipped due to a collision, it should be immediately replaced to prevent a failed MOT or a fine if caught by the police driving with an obscured plate that prevents them – or cameras – from being able to identify your vehicle and the you as the registered keeper.

What does the arrival of a new number plate mean for the value of 23-plate cars and older? 

Mark Oakley, director of AA Cars, says the arrival of the new number plate age identifier can be a great time to commit to a purchase.

Not only does it mean a driver will be among the first to hit the road with the newest plates, often dealers introduce deals and promotions to entice customers into their showrooms on what is traditionally the two busiest months for sales each year.

Yet the arrival of new number plates could bring about a double boost in sales for the motoring industry, Oakley says.

‘Although usually associated with the new car market, the arrival of fresh plates means many used car dealers want to start making space for an influx of nearly-new vehicles. 

‘They can be more open to negotiating and cutting prices on older-plated cars, making this a good time for drivers to get a good deal.

‘After weathering supply chain disruptions, an increased supply of new models – including EVs – is making its way into the used car market.’

He added: ‘Drivers seeking a September deal in the used car market should cast a wide net and dig for details. If a vehicle has been lingering on a forecourt it might sway dealers toward discounts.

‘The fact that dealers are chasing quarterly targets can mean the end of September is a prime time for price haggling.

‘It’s always wise to arrange an independent pre-sale inspection for any used car. Don’t be blindsided by hidden issues that could drain your wallet later.’

Today’s arrival of the new 73 plate means drivers could be able to haggle a better deal on models with older age identifiers, AA Cars says

Matas Buzelis, car expert at carVertical, also believes the arrival of new plates in March and September is a welcome boost for drivers buying a used car.

‘Dealers are often more inclined to make an offer on older cars that they want to shift from the forecourts to make room for more recent models,’ he said.

‘Drivers looking to haggle should ask how long a vehicle has been up for sale — if it has been in the dealership’s hands for a long time, the business may be more inclined to offer a discount.

‘Dealers are often working to quarterly sales targets too — so the end of September can be a good time to get a bargain.’

Why are number plates white for the front and yellow for the rear?

Black digits on a white and yellow background provide the most legible combination in all weather and lighting conditions, allowing for quicker identification of the letters and numbers.

In fact, in the case of an accident or a crime involving a vehicle, a visible number-plate sequence makes it easier for drivers to find out important details for the authorities.

But why have two different colour plates? 

Michelle Rigler, head of portfolio at vehicle finance company at First Response Finance, says this is a safety measure to help drivers spot instantly whether they are looking at the front or the back of a vehicle.

So, if a motorist was driving on the wrong side of the road, for instance, you would have an extra visual clue to act and avoid a serious incident.

It also helps cameras to identify the direction a vehicle is travelling. 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk