Which plate formats work best for names?

All four main UK plate formats can work for names. Dateless plates offer the most flexibility — combinations like JON 1 or SAR 4H can be assigned to any vehicle regardless of age. Prefix plates (e.g. J1 JON) are popular and affordable. Current-style plates (e.g. JO17 NAS) allow name combinations using the area code and random letters. Irish (NI) plates are ideal for names containing I or Z — IAN, IVY, IVAN, ZAC — since every NI plate contains one of those letters.

Can I find a plate for any name?

For most common first names, there will be at least one plate combination available at some price point. Short names with common letters tend to have more options — TOM, SAM, ROB, LEE. Longer names may require more creative use of number substitutes (3 for E, 4 for A, 1 for I, 0 for O). Some names are much harder to represent cleanly, particularly those with unusual letter combinations. Our search engine covers millions of registrations and will surface the best available options for any name.

What number substitutes are used in name plates?

The most commonly used number-to-letter substitutions are: 1 for I or L, 3 for E, 4 for A, 5 for S, 6 for G or b, 7 for T or Y, 8 for B, 0 for O. So a plate like D4 N13L reads as DANIEL, S4 RAH as SARAH, T0 MMY as TOMMY. The DVLA permits these interpretations provided the plate meets all legal display requirements.

Are name number plates dateless?

Some name plates are dateless and some are not — it depends on the format. Dateless plates (those issued before 1963, such as JON 1 or SAR 4H) carry no year identifier and can go on any vehicle regardless of age. Prefix, suffix, and current-style name plates do carry age identifiers and cannot be placed on vehicles older than the plate's year. If hiding your vehicle's age matters, a dateless name plate is the right choice.

How much do name number plates cost?

Prices vary enormously depending on how clearly and simply the name is represented and how popular that name is. A current-style plate that reads as a less common name might cost under £200. A clear, short dateless plate representing a top-10 first name (e.g. JON 1 or DAV 1D) will command a significant premium. New Reg's search covers all price points — use the search above to explore what's available for your name and budget.

Can I put a name plate on any car?

It depends on the plate format. Dateless name plates (no year identifier) can go on any registered UK vehicle regardless of its age. Prefix, suffix, and current-style name plates have age restrictions — you cannot make a vehicle appear newer than it actually is. Your vehicle must have a valid V5C, current MOT, and road tax or SORN for the transfer to proceed. New Reg handles all the DVLA paperwork as part of the purchase.

Can I buy a name plate as a gift?

Yes — name plates make highly personal gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone occasions. When you buy as a gift, the plate is issued on a V750 Certificate of Entitlement in your name. The recipient's details are added as the nominee when the plate is transferred to their vehicle. You do not need to know their car details at the time of purchase — the certificate is valid for ten years, giving full flexibility on when the transfer takes place.

Featured Numbers:

1 SRX

BUY
£25,990

XIW 718

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£995

Name Number Plates

Find a private plate that spells your name — search millions of registrations across every format. Established 1991, DVLA transfer included.

Quick answer: Name number plates spell out names using letters and number substitutes — like SAR 4H for Sarah, D4 VID for David, or T0 MMY for Tommy. All four plate formats work for names. Northern Irish plates are ideal for names with I or Z (IAN, ZOE, ZARA). Prices start from £69.

TIP: Try names, initials, words or a specific registration

What Are Name Number Plates?

Name number plates are personalised registrations where the letters and numbers — when read together — spell out a name. Examples include SAR 4H for Sarah, D4 VID for David, T0 MMY for Tommy, or J1 MBO for Jimbo. They are one of the most popular categories of private plate in the UK precisely because the personal connection is immediately visible to anyone who sees the car.

New Reg has been finding and selling name plates since 1991. Our search covers millions of registrations across all formats, and our specialists can advise on the best combination for any name and budget.

How Number Substitutes Work

When letters are unavailable in the right position, numbers are used to represent them. The standard substitutions used in UK name plates are:

1 → I or L (e.g. L1 LLY for Lilly, 1 AN for Ian)
3 → E (e.g. J3 NNY for Jenny)
4 → A (e.g. S4 RAH for Sarah, D4 VID for David)
5 → S (e.g. 5 AM for Sam)
0 → O (e.g. T0 MMY for Tommy, R0 SSI for Rossi)
7 → T (e.g. 7 OM for Tom)
8 → B (e.g. 8 OB for Bob)

These substitutions are widely accepted and immediately readable. The DVLA permits them provided the plate meets all legal display requirements for font, spacing, and character size.

Which Formats Work Best for Names?

Every major UK plate format can produce name combinations, each with different advantages:

Dateless Plates

Pre-1963 plates like JON 1, SAR 4H, or TOM 1 are the most prestigious name combinations. They carry no year identifier and can go on any vehicle regardless of its age. Supply is permanently fixed, making desirable name combinations rarer and more valuable over time. See our dateless plates guide.

Prefix Plates

Plates like J1 JON, S4 RAH, or R1 ROB are popular and generally more affordable than equivalent dateless combinations. They carry a year letter (A–Y, excluding I, O, Q, U, Z) which sets the earliest vehicle they can go on. Browse prefix plates for name ideas.

Current-Style Plates

Modern registrations (e.g. JO17 NAS, DA14 VID) allow name combinations using the two-letter area code and three random letters. More combinations are available than in older formats, which often means lower prices for less common names. See current-style plates.

Northern Irish (NI) Plates

Every NI plate contains the letter I or Z — making them ideal for names that use those letters: IAN, IVY, IVAN, ISLA, ZAC, ZOE, ZARA. These names simply cannot be represented clearly on standard GB plates. NI plates are also dateless — no year identifier — making them even more attractive. See our Irish plates page.

Name Plates as Gifts

A name plate is one of the most personal gifts available — something only that person could truly use. They work for birthdays, anniversaries, Father's Day, Mother's Day, graduations, and retirement. When buying as a gift, you do not need the recipient's car details at the time of purchase. The plate is issued on a V750 Certificate of Entitlement valid for ten years, giving complete flexibility on when the transfer takes place. See our buying guide for more detail on the process.

Selling a Name Plate You Already Own

Name plates — particularly short dateless combinations — are among the most liquid in the market. Their appeal is permanently tied to that name's popularity, and popular names never go out of fashion. If you own a name plate and want to know its current value, use our free valuation service.

Name Plates at a Glance

Common formats: Dateless, prefix, current-style, NI
Number subs: 1=I/L, 3=E, 4=A, 0=O, 5=S, 7=T
NI plates: Best for names with I or Z
Transfer: Included with every purchase
Finance: 0% available
Gift: V750 cert — no car needed at purchase

Names with I or Z

IAN, IVY, IVAN, ISLA, ZAC, ZOE, ZARA? Browse Northern Irish plates — every NI plate contains I or Z.

View NI Plates

Transfer Guide

New to private plates? Step-by-step guide to the full DVLA transfer process.

Transfer Guide

Free Valuation

Own a name plate? Find out what it's worth with our free valuation service.

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