Number Plates

A number plate is a unique vehicle identification device. It is a strip of metal, rectangular in shape which is fixed to a vehicle in order to show that it is officially registered.

This plate contains a series of letters and numbers which form a unique code that identifies the vehicle as belonging to a particular owner.

Many countries around the world use a registration plate consisting of a series of numbers on a white background, whereas the UK uses an alphanumeric system on a yellow background. There is a legal requirement for each vehicle to display a number plate at both the front and rear though motorcycles only need to display a plate at the rear.
UK number plates have a specially designated system of characters which is based upon an area code, age of the vehicle and a random set of 3 letters. The size of the number plate and the lettering has been determined by an act of law and as such, can only be changed by legal means. However, this has not stopped criminals from producing fake number plates when dealing in stolen vehicles, or selling potentially lethal vehicles that have been written off in an accident.

Other types of number plates seen in the UK are personalised number plates and diplomatic plates. Personalised plates allow a vehicle owner to display a message, slogan or name via a series of letters and numbers according to their wishes. A diplomatic plate is one seen on an official vehicle used by embassies and other international organisations as a unique identifier of that country