License plates/tags

[binny]

Not sure what you call them across the pond, sorry.

Anyway, I am in search of License plates from all over the world.
Our church youth group is going to redo one of their rooms in a garage theme and would like to find as many license plates as we can to cover one wall.

Can anyone give me any ideas on how to find any from the UK? Do you turn yours in when youre done with them? Is it even possible to get some?

Would love any ideas or help!
Thanks!
Robin

 

[Goofyish]

Not sure how licence plates are issued in the US, but in the UK when you buy or register a car you apply to the government department (DVLA) responsible for a registration plate (the car dealer usually does this). You are then assigned a number plate. The contents of the plate depends on where you register the car and the year/month of registration.

You can pay extra and have a 'personal' plate, or you can transfer a registration number to your new car from your old one.

See here for more info

DVLA

On UK cars you have the same number plate on the front and rear of the car. The front plate is on a white background, the rear plate is on a yellow background.

 

[binny]

Thanks Tim

So you keep the same plate forever? I mean you could if you wanted to?
We can change them car to car when we buy a new one but it has to be done like you. Through the DMV ( dept of Motor Vehicles)

In Idaho we have to get new ones every 7 years. We just keep our old ones or they recycle them for us.

 

[Goofyish]

It is possible to keep your number plate for ever and transfer it to every new car you get, but unless it's a very special, rare or personal number plate, then it's more usual to just keep the number that comes with the new car.

I believe that in Switzerland you are given a personal number plate when you pass your test and you keep it for life; transfering it to every car you own. You can look up the car numbers and see who the car belongs to.

Every car in the UK also needs a road fund licence (cost varies according to CO2 emmisions). To prove you have paid you get a small paper disk to display in your car windscreen.

Also every car over 3 years old needs to under go a 'test' to prove road worthiness every year.

 

[binny]

wow thats interesting. Thanks


So its possible that I could find old UK plates then?

 

[Claire L]

wow thats interesting. Thanks


So its possible that I could find old UK plates then?

I doubt it as the plate stays with the car until it is scrapped, unless it is a private plate and then it would stay with the ower of it.

To be honest it is now quite strict with regards to getting plates made up, you need to produce the V5 which is the registration document for the vehicle, to show you actually own the vehicle. This legislation came in a few years ago as people were putting false plates on their cars to avoid detection for crimes they commited and also to avoid speeding fines from cameras!

Claire