The DVLA has launched major number plate changes today, with drivers now able to secure thousands of new registrations for the first time.
The official auction launches at 10am today, offering 2,000 personalised registration marks to the highest bidders.
John Pye Auctions, who became the DVLA's official auctioneers on October 1, will oversee the sale with starting prices beginning at £70.
The auction catalogue features diverse combinations, including dateless registrations like 106 A and 1971 A at £2,500, alongside more affordable options such as AAA 101A and AA25 AAA at £250. Notable lots include 11 ESL starting at £1,200, FO12 EVR at £250, and 80 GX at £2,200.
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Prospective buyers must register on the DVLA auction website to participate, with accounts created before October 1 no longer valid.
The six-day event runs until October 21 at 11am and will operate as a timed online auction where bidders can track their offers around the clock.
The system employs a 30-minute sliding end mechanism, meaning any bid placed within half an hour of a lot scheduled to close automatically extends that lot auction by another 30 minutes.
This format eliminates advantages for last-second bidding attempts, as each new offer within the final thirty-minute window triggers a fresh extension period.
Drivers can purchase new car registration plates from the DVLA today
| GETTYParticipants face an initial spending cap of £1,000, although this can be increased by paying a deposit equivalent to 10 per cent of their desired limit.
The auction features alphabetically organised lots ranging from A to Y, plus categories for numbers, novelty plates, names, vehicle types, trades, sports teams and dateless registrations.
Successful bidders face additional charges beyond the hammer price, including a three per cent buyer's premium plus VAT and a mandatory £80 assignment fee. All purchases attract VAT at the prevailing rate on both the hammer price and premium.
The catalogue showcases varied pricing tiers, with A-prefix registrations like A131 ACK and A64 ADC starting at £200, while premium dateless plates such as 972 AA command £2,200. Mid-range options include 1981 AA at £1,500 and combinations like AA04 DAM at £250.
Number plates are updated in March and September each year
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Payment must be completed within five working days of the auction conclusion, with options including CHAPS, bank transfer, or online payment.
The authority warned that motorists purchasing personalised plates must adhere to strict DVLA regulations or face penalties reaching £1,000.
Registration marks must display black lettering on white backgrounds for front plates and yellow for rear plates, exclusively using the Charles Wright 2001 typeface.
Any modifications to spacing, fonts or decorative additions that compromise readability constitute violations. Vehicles displaying non-compliant plates are at risk of failing MOT tests and potential insurance invalidation.
The DVLA requires drivers to follow the number plate rules to avoid penalties
| DVLAThe DVLA warned that "it is an offence to alter, re-arrange or misrepresent a registration number," with authorities empowered to withdraw registrations without compensation. Police can remove vehicles from roads until plates meet legal requirements.
Plates manufactured after September 2021 must carry British Standard markings, though 3D raised characters and approved flags remain permissible provided legibility isn't affected.
The latest number plate reveal follows the recent "75" series launched on September 1, marking the second registration change this year from the first "25" set in March.
Beyond standard formats, the DVLA also released prefix registrations periodically. Last week's announcement revealed that combinations featuring letters A to H with numbers 27, 28 or 29 became available from October 7, priced from £250 including VAT and assignment fees.