Finding the right gift can be tricky. There are so many choices out there, and it can be hard to know what the right gift is. If your recipient loves cars or they have recently gotten their first car, then a personalized registration plate can make an excellent gift.
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However, before you commit to this gift, there are a few different things that you should know.
Private plates explained
A personal number plate is a custom registration plate with pretty much anything you want written on it. However, there are rules that must be followed to ensure that the plate is legal and roadworthy. Although purchasing through a reputable seller will ensure that your plate follows these rules, for the most part, the rules are pretty unobtrusive. You cannot alter the font or spacing, and you cannot make the car appear younger than it is.
The truth is that personalized license plates have enjoyed steadily increasing popularity for years. A lot of celebrities have personalized plates on their cars, from Lord Alan Sugar to Amir Khan. But, that being said, they aren’t just for the rich and famous. As well as purchasing plates for gifts, you can also sell personal number plates through sites such as Regtransfers, if you have a unique combination. That allows you to build up some funds for other gifts. You may even want to sell a plate in preparation swapping it out for a new one as a gift.
Choosing the plates
You need to put some thought into what you want to put onto the number plate. You could choose a meaningful number, initials or simply go for something funny. The format of the plates will obviously restrict your message somewhat. But this simply means that you have the opportunity to get creative. Your choice will also be limited by what is available and your budget too. Some plates are more expensive than others.
Most online retailers have a huge selection, and you can see what is out there by typing in the initials or numbers that you want. If they do not have the one that you want, you can task them to find it for you. Again, though, this can get expensive. Also, depending on the retailer you use, they might have imposed a deposit and have other criteria you need to meet.
Sometimes, online retailers won’t have the plate that you want, which does mean that you might have to widen your search and consider purchasing a plate from a private seller. Private sellers might have a number of plates or a limited supply. Either way, you need to make sure that you communicate with them before any money exchanges hands. Additionally, private sellers are not subject to the same business legislation, which can lead to unscrupulous sellers, so be mindful of that.
What happens next?
After you have brought the recipient the personalized number plate, they might need some advice and guidance on what they need to do with it. They can’t simply swap the plates over. It needs to be done legally. When you buy a personalized license plate, you will be the one with all of the details like the confirmation of purchase and a certificate of entitlement or a V750. The recipient will need these to register their new number plate. The process can be done online through the DVLA website, and if they have all of the information to hand, it is pretty simple. After the registration process has been completed, they should receive a V5C registration certificate in the post.
Number plates make a great gift, and they can be used for years to come. If they get a new car, they can simply transfer the plates over. The DVLA can also walk you through that process. They will need the V5C, and there is often a transference fee. You should also remind them to notify their insurance provider that they have changed the reg plate, too. Failing to do so could invalidate the insurance.
Why personalised reg plates make a great gift
Private reg plates make a great gift for several reasons. Obviously, it is a more unique gift. So if your recipient is sick of getting pants, socks or bath bombs, they will definitely appreciate your creativity! It is also a personal and thoughtful gift which won’t break the bank either. And it can be used for years to come because it can be transferred to new vehicles too. It is the gift that keeps on giving.
Personalized number plates allow a person to express their individuality and makes them stand out from the crowd a little, which can have practical applications if your recipient is forever losing their car in the supermarket car park. You can get them a gift that really allows them to express their individuality.
There are also a lot of options out there, which means that you really can get creative with the number combinations. It is easy to create something unique and original. Every number plate has to be different, which means there is no risk of your recipient running into someone else that has the same plate, although there may be similar ones out there.
Personalized license plates: Customize your vehicle
As it is a gift, you would hope that the recipient will keep it and transfer it over when they get a new car. However, if they don’t, depending on what the custom number plate has on it, it could actually add value to the vehicle. Custom number plates are a commodity, after all, which means that they are only ever likely to go up in value – especially if you choose a cool combination.
While a lot of people like to lean into sentimentality, you don’t have to. Instead, you could go for something a little random or funny. They have more of a universal appeal, and therefore, should the recipient ever sell it on, along with their car, it could attract more buyers.
A personalized number plate can also make even an older and somewhat clunky vehicle look cool and custom. It allows the recipient to have the opportunity to reinvent their aesthetic a little. It can make a great gift when bought in combination with seat or steering wheel covers as well as other car accessories. Older models can benefit from these mini makeovers, so if your recipient has just gotten their first car, it can help them customize it and let them put their own spin on the car to make them feel more comfortable.
Personalized number plates can be a great accompaniment to a first car if you are in the position to gift someone in your life their first car, and a cool, unique numberplate can really be the cherry on top of the cake.
Summary
Choosing the perfect gift can be an incredibly stressful experience. Gift-giving is a love language; it is one of the best ways to express to someone what they mean to you. This can put a lot of weight on a person, and finding new and inventive gifts to give can be an arduous experience. You have to think outside the box and take into account that person’s likes and dislikes as well as your budget.
A personalised reg plate can be a great gift, it is something that they will get a lot of use out of, and there are so many options to choose from too, so you are bound to find something that they will like.
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
But I love writing about cars – check that, luxury cars, a level of superior, engineering sophistication, high performance and style, that transports you not just from one destination to another but also out of whatever you are going through on a particular day, whatever mood you are in, all to another head space. It’s complete and total exhilaration, head to toe.
Check out my stories, and email me direct at mkeast@regardingluxury.com
