Private Registration Plates
Private registration plates were introduced under the provisions of the Motor Car Act 1903. Most people think that the system began in 1904 but there were some plates registered in December 1903.
For example, the plate I (Eric Craggs) have on my car is EC 5.
This was the 5th registration done at Kendal County Council then referred to as Westmorland, now referred to as Cumbria.
I was particularly pleased to get this plate as I have always loved walking in the Lake District since the age of 14. As with most desirable plates there is always a story attached in acquiring them.
I was sat in an auction and a text message came into a dealer from Lanzarote, saying, "Is Eric aware that Tony Brown, who was sat next to me, is selling EC 5?" So I asked Tony if this was true, which he said it was and offered him half the price he was asking and a week later got it at that price with the condition that if I ever sell it, he gets half the income over and above what I paid for the plate in the first place.
This is quite good, as I would sell anything including my wife if the price was right. But the fact that I have to give him half the money I make on it does not give me the incentive to sell.
I have to be particularly careful with Tony as I once bought 4 EBC from him, which are my full initials. I got this also at a very good price. I then sold it on a few years later, much to the disgust of Tony.
The private registration plates industry is full of stories like this but I genuinely believe that if you buy the plate at the right price, it is always a very good investment.
We pride ourselves in trying to achieve a very well run business. To this end we decided that we would try to achieve an award that is recognised by industry throughout Europe. We prepared to try and gain the quality award BSI 9001 2000. National Numbers managed to do this at its first attempt. The Chairman, Eric Craggs, had previously worked as a manager at ICI for 30 years and had been involved in trying to get businesses within ICI to get this award. We have had the award for six years. For the last two years, BSI have required us to conduct a formal customer survey - we are the only company within the DVLA number plate business to do so. Please look at our Testimonials to see what they think. You may think that a lot of web sites just make up their feedback, a lot do, but we are actually audited by a British Standard Quality Expert to verify that our customer comments are genuine.
