Here in the United KIngdom, we do not have such registration plates. Ours are made up of a combination of numerals and letters and they contain an easily understood code which indicates the year that car was first registered. The registration plate usually remains with the car when you sell it on. We can purchase 'personalised' plates but to do so, and to use them, incurs additional charges. For example, I could probably buy 'HAM 123' through an agent, for about £300, and it would be mine to keep, but I would have to pay the Department of Vehicle Licensing an additional fee for the privilege.

Recently, I saw 'HAM 15H' advertised for sale by an agency and became quite excited about the prospect of having that on my car. Then I saw the price! They were asking £19,000 for it!! No, as it happens, I am quite content to keep my current 'YC06 DVW' plate!

One of the Geoffrey (Tailor) vehicles carries the plate: 'K1 LTS', which looks good with the tartan livery, but I dread to think what they had to pay for it!