There were some old number plates in the cellar of our house when we moved in. The number plates are silver on black and are the kind where the three letters are first, then three numbers and a letter. What i would like to know is who owns these number plates? I assume I cannot just put these on my car...can I? Thanks
Joe Alderson, Hale, UK
Hi Joe,
The good news is that, if you bought the contents of the house, these number plates are yours. The bad news is they are of no use and little value.
There are two reasons for this:
1. A ‘private number plate’ is created when the DVLA gives you permission to transfer the number (not the physical plate) from a car that is still ‘on the road.’ The number needs to be transferred to another car or to a certificate of retention. You need to renew this certificate annually to keep hold of the number and use it or sell it at a later stage.
The physical plate is just how you display the number on a car; it is not the valuable component.
2. Number plates are meant to adhere to a strict format. Only cars constructed before 1st January 1973 may display traditional style "black and white" plates i.e. white, silver or grey characters on a black plate.
Maybe your plates will have some value as memorabilia. People buy old tin garage signs as decorations, so why not old number plates too?