Frequently Asked Questions

(Well, questions we reckon people would have asked if it wasn't answered here)

Q: How does the Regfinder number plate search engine work?
Q: What style of number plates does Regfinder search?
Q: Can I search future issue registration marks?
Q: Can I search 'suffix' style registration marks?
Q: Can I search for name initials or company name initials (e.g. ABC Ltd.)?
Q: What is the 'Number Plate Range'?
Q: Why are some number plate ranges not available on prefix number plates?
Q: What number plates can I put on my vehicle?
Q: How does Regfinder.net find so many cherished number plates?
Q: Why are there 'Background Markings' on Regfinder's number plates?
Q: Can I sell my Cherished Number Plate with Regfinder.net?
Q: How do I buy a personalised registration using Regfinder?
Q: How do I re-register my vehicle with DVLA?
Q: How do I de-register my cherished number plate?
Q: Why didn't Regfinder's search engine find so-and-so number plate?
Q. How often is Regfinder's number plate database updated?
Q: How can I search for plates which are not available from the DVLA?

Q: How does the Regfinder number plate search engine work?

A: Use Regfinder.net free of charge to familiarise yourself with the service. Type any word or name you like into the search bar and, if it works on a number plate, then Regfinder.net list's all the number plates it finds in two lists 'Not for sale' and 'Available to buy'. Regfinder is a subscription based service so you can only see the number plates it finds if you have subscribed to the service. For more details on how to use this service, go to 'Site Directions' in the 'Help' pages. Read on for more information on how the Regfinder number plate search engine works.

Q: What style of number plates does Regfinder search?

A: Regfinder is designed to search for words and names within number plates that it is possible to buy from the DVLA general stock. We search from 'A' in the prefix number plates (July 1984) to '13' in the current style number plates (March 2013). Regfinder also searches number plates for auction on eBay and also number plates for sale on our Regtrader number plate database.

Q: Can I search future issue registration marks?

Q: Can I search 'suffix' style registration marks?

A: DVLA only sell prefix and current style registration marks at the moment although there are suffix plates and dateless plates for auction on eBay and Regtrader which Regfinder will also search.

Q: Can I search for name initials or company name initials (e.g. ABC Ltd.)?

A: Yes, you can search for anything even mixes of letters and numbers such as vehicle models. Regfinder search system automatically adds anything you search for that it doesn't know about to it's dictionary.

Q: What is the 'Number Plate Range'?

A: If, for example, there is a six letter word that you like and it's found in the current style of number plates then in most cases - because the current style of number plate is made up of seven characters - there would have to be an odd letter either at the beginning or the end of the word. These odd letters, or in some cases numbers, are represented by as you view the plate. The 'Plate Range' in this case is any of the potential 23 or 24 useable letters of the alphabet that could go at either end of the number plate. - ('I' is not used in any part of UK number plates, 'Z' is only available on the last three letters of new style plates and 'Q' is only used as a prefix on old style plates which can't be bought through DVLA Registrations.

We find that good ones to look out for are 'A' at the beginning of singular words or 'S' at the end of words that can be pluralised but your initials may work just as well, as does an 'X' or 'O' at both ends of a five letter word. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....

There are some cases where it is possible for a number plate to appear shorter than it is. For example, the Regfinder search engine recognises 12 as 'R' and 13 as 'B' and so on. In these instances, whether in the current style or the prefix style the registration number will appear shortened by one character.

Q: Why are some number plate ranges not available on prefix number plates?

The ranges of numbers DVLA make available on prefix plates depends on the registration date, and whether or not they were sold on new vehicles at the time. The number ranges have changed over the years. Here is a table showing how the registration numbering works on prefix plates, if the number you want isn't here, you can't have it. This might change over time however as DVLA can, if they wish, make unused numbers available.

So the long and short of it is, if you're wondering for example why the word 'TEAPOT' has no result for 'T34POT' it's because it's not possible, the number 34 isn't available on a number plate from DVLA.

Q: What number plates can I put on my vehicle?

A: There is basically one rule that must be adhered to;- 'You cannot make a vehicle appear newer than it actually is. That means that if your car is, for example, '07' registration then you cannot put a '57' number plate on it. Apart from that, if the DVLA are willing to sell a previously unused registration mark then you can put it on your vehicle.

To help narrow your search there is the 'Vehicle Age' function on the front page of our website in the 'Refine Your Search' area. If you do not wish to view registration numbers that are newer than your current vehicle then just select the year you want the search to go up to. If you're not in a hurry to put a cherished number plate on a vehicle or perhaps looking to buy as a gift for a minor who won't be driving for a few years then we suggest that you don't limit your search....

When you buy a personalised number plate from the DVLA it arrives in the form of a document (V750/1) and is valid for a year. After that it costs just £25 per year to keep it on retainer. You will be sent a reminder close to the renewal date from the DVLA, much as you are with your road tax.

Q: How does Regfinder.net find so many cherished number plates?

A: Regfinder 'looks' at the 'patterns' of the letters and numbers to match the words with the number plates. Woo...

Q: Why are there markings on Regfinder's numbers plates?

A: The background markings have been added to the number plates as a visual aid ONLY! The DVLA state that if you intend to misrepresent a registration number plate they 'Would rather you did not buy it' and we concur. You will find as you become more familiar with Regfinder.net that this visual aid can be quite helpful.

Inevitably though, not every search result can be perfect and there will be some registrations that you obviously shouldn't buy. If you want to see plates with background markings use the 'Word Accuracy' filter which is located in the 'Refine your search' area on the front page.

You will find more information about this function on the 'Site Directions' page. Generally though, we find that if you're sensible and realistic with the 'Medium' setting you will find a lot more good number plates than bad ones.

Q: Can I sell my Cherished Number Plate with Regfinder.net?

A: Yes, take a look at our Regtrader service, you can sell one or more registrations, your plate is included in all Regfinder searches.

Q: How do I buy a personalised registration using Regfinder?

A:Once you have chosen the number plate you wish to buy, click on it, then click on 'Order This Plate' in the popup box. You'll then be linked to the number plate on the DVLA Personalised Registrations web site and they will guide you through your purchase. The prices that you see on Regfinder.net will be the same prices you see on the DVLA Personalised Registration web site and are inclusive of VAT and assignment fee (the DVLA fee for reregistering your vehicle).

Q: How do I Re-register my vehicle with DVLA?

A: Once you have bought your cherished number plate, just follow the directions on the 'Got a Question' page of the DVLA website. Click HERE to go to that page.

Q: How do MOVE or DE-register my cherished number plate?

Q: Why didn't Regfinder find so-and-so number plate?

Q. How often is Regfinder updated?

A: Regfinder is informed of registration numbers which have been bought, reallocated or withdrawn from DVLA every week day although it sometimes takes a few days for these changes to become effective on the web site. The entire database is updated every 6 months as new ranges of registration numbers become available.

Regfinder scans every single possible number plate up until 2013! We could have gone to 2045 although the likelyhood is that DVLA will change something to do with vehicle registrations before then.

Q: How can I search for number plates which are not available from the DVLA?