Personalised number plates

[Cleanbedsheets]

Why do people spend so much money on these?

AIBU to think that the only possible reason for having a PNP is to be a bit braggy?

My DP wants to get me one for my upcoming birthday, I have said it is a waste of money and to not bother. DP doesn't understand.

Your thoughts?

@sondot , I am obviously vain as I wear make-up in the hope that it makes me less ugly

Just to clarify, I actually said nothing about make up and merely commented on a posters use of fake tan as part of a much larger discussion. My point to the whole thing was that I don't give a fuck what people think of my purchases; what they purchase themselves or what they do with it. The fake tan only came into play as an example of difference.

Please don't think I'm making any judgement on you because I'm not, not at all. I just dug down because the idea that every single person buys things to impress others pissed me off.

I'm sorry if anyone thought I was having a go at make up wearers. I wasn't. It was personal -'d I'm quite embarrassed I allowed another poster to wind me up so much

Anyway my point was that vast majority of peoples spending habits are subconsciously made in order to impress others...note subconsciously. I have a designer handbag. Did I consciously sit at home and think to myself, if I got that bag I'd impress people who walk past me. No I didn't but I'm under no illusion that I've been groomed for years by the marketing execs and consumerism to favour certain products over others. Unless you have bought a personalised plate as an investment, chances are you have bought it in order to impress others. Now you probably haven't actually sat down and thought to yourself now if I get a private plate, people will think I'm wealthy...they'll think I'm doing really well for myself...they'll be impressed. But subconsciously a lot of your purchasing decisions will be based upon how you want others to perceive you.

@sondot , oh OK. I wear fake tan too but only in an attempt to look less shit.

As for personalised plates, some are ok some not.
I know a husband and wife with plates like X455AJS and X455EJS and it didn't cross my mind until Emma came to work in Adam's car for a few days.

The ones that I find naff are ones that are something like N14CJR on a crappy old hatchhback. It's meant to be cool cos it's Carol's birthday and initials but IMO just makes it look like the car's an N plate.

Something like DAV1D, CX1 or KC111 and I'd be thinking 'that'll be worth a bob or two'

Generally, up to them I suppose.

I am amazed at how divisive such a (possibly) low cost item can be. I really wish I'd kept my first number plate but it's no longer available. On the other hand I had a car with a recognisable non private plate and I hated people always knowing where I was or where I'd been.
No one has explained about kitchen islands yet.

I bet I could tell.

Having 14 on the plate was explained to me by a bloke who had H14 ....(then his initials which I forget) as "one for" - which is what I meant about the gymnastics required at times.

Some of the things are very tenuous - I saw an illegal one the other day that started J33P which apparently is JEEP except if looks nothing fucking like it.

And I bet that 'talent' serves you well. Jesus Christ

The ones that I find naff are ones that are something like N14CJR on a crappy old hatchhback. It's meant to be cool cos it's Carol's birthday and initials but IMO just makes it look like the car's an N plate.

Not really, anyone who’s into cars can tell it’s not an N plate and anyone who’s not into cars won’t really care anyway. It’s the same as the idiots who put M3 badges on a 320d - the people they’re trying to impress know it’s a fake from a mile away and anyone who can’t tell, doesn’t know or care what an M3 is.

We have them. I have had one for years, the letters on the old style plates were used to identify the town/area where the car was first registered. The letters used where I grew up were my last two initials ( for example RT). Plenty of local cars therefore had my full initials. My DF bought a new car and chose a reg with my initials, he then retained the registration when he sold the car and gifted it to me.
Fortunately I married someone with the same last initial.
We bought a private plate for our latest car with DH’s and DS’s nickname on it ( surname shortened and they are both known widely by the nickname). DS now has his own car so when we sell ours he will be given the plate. It actually doesn’t look like a personalised plate unless you know DS or DH.
My DSis was allocated a reg with her initials on with her new car. The dealer noticed they had one on their list and thought it would be ideal for her. It’s likely she will keep it.
One of the advantages is that you don’t get involved with the “look at my new car “ brigade and you don’t have to remember a new reg.

I'm not that into cars. The N-reg plate on an old Corsa wouldn't have me thinking 'Oh, that must mean it belongs to someone with the initials CJR born on November 14'

What? On a beaten up old Corsa? You have no idea how much the plate cost the owner, if anything at all.

Anyway, the person driving the car might have had nothing to do with the acquisition of the plate. If so, does their personality magically change just because of the reg number?

Personally, these sorts of number plates are not my thing at all- I'd rather my spend my money on something else!

For those who want personalised plates, I've nothing against it, they can crack on and spend their money on it if they like!

DP should definitely not buy you some personalised plates, if you don't want any!

You’d also know it was a cherished plate as N14 * would never have just been issued, it would’ve had to have been purchased from DVLA.

We make judgements all the time on what material items people own. I don't sit there psychoanalysing every individual in every car I see...but generally I think a personalised number plate indicates shallowness. Just as I see someone driving a bright white 4x4 in London as being a total twat. I mean we don't live in a communist dictatorship...so you can buy what you want but i can also silently judge.

@Shade17 , it wouldn't have crossed my mind.

I think they are a complete waste of money, I have a collegue with one, it was bought by her husband as a gift and she wasn't pleased, maybe they are a man thing?? If I had to have money spent on the car a good valet would be more useful!!

@Shade17

You’d also know it was a cherished plate as N14 * would never have just been issued, it would’ve had to have been purchased from DVLA.

Why would it not have been issued? There were hundreds of thousands of LNN LLL (letter/number) plates issued, what's so special about N14?

The number 14. By ‘96 DVLA were holding back all low and interesting numbers to sell.

@Shade17

The number 14. By ‘96 DVLA were holding back all low and interesting numbers to sell.

What's special about 14?

I had no idea

It’s because they think they are special and get some kind of strange gratification.

Obviously it’s hideously cringe worthy and nobody is impressed.

We don’t have a personalised plate to impress anyone or because we think we’re special. It was bought as a half joke and will go to our son (same initials) when we stop driving or die - whichever comes first. So far it’s cost a few pence more than £10 a year. If anyone’s impressed by that I feel sorry for them.

It’s a low number. I think they held back 1-20, double/triple consecutive digits, the 10s and 100s and 123/321.

@Shade17

It’s a low number. I think they held back 1-20, double/triple consecutive digits, the 10s and 100s and 123/321.

Thanks!! I find the whole registration system really interesting but my knowledge is lacking