Phonetics Private Plates Characters

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should I use the phonetic alphabet when ordering a number plate?
  The phonetic alphabet eliminates ambiguity when spelling letters over the phone or in writing. A single misheard letter could result in the wrong registration being ordered. Using NATO phonetics — Alpha for A, Bravo for B — ensures every character is communicated without confusion.
• What is the NATO phonetic alphabet?
  Alpha (A), Bravo (B), Charlie (C), Delta (D), Echo (E), Foxtrot (F), Golf (G), Hotel (H), India (I), Juliet (J), Kilo (K), Lima (L), Mike (M), November (N), Oscar (O), Papa (P), Quebec (Q), Romeo (R), Sierra (S), Tango (T), Uniform (U), Victor (V), Whisky (W), X-Ray (X), Yankee (Y), Zulu (Z).
• How do I use the phonetic converter on this page?
  Enter the registration mark you want to check into the converter box and click Generate. The tool displays each letter as its NATO phonetic equivalent — use the result when calling New Reg or confirming your order in writing.
• Which letters are excluded from UK number plates?
  The letters I and Q are excluded from current-style UK number plates to avoid confusion with 1 and 0. Z is excluded from the random section of current plates, though it appears in Northern Irish registrations. Some combinations are withheld if they could be considered offensive.
• Do New Reg staff use phonetics when taking phone orders?
  Yes. When taking orders by phone, New Reg advisors use the NATO phonetic alphabet to confirm each character of your chosen registration — ensuring the correct plate is ordered every time. We recommend customers use the same system when spelling out their chosen registration.