New changes to personalised number plates and how to buy them could catch drivers out

Many use the DVLA registrations website or attend auctions to look for their ideal combination of numbers and letters to adorn their vehicles.

However, the DVLA announced that it had held its final in-person registration auction last month at Stratford Manor.

WATCH NOW: Richard Holden hosts the last number plate auction

Under the new changes, all auctions will take place exclusively online, with an auction being held almost every month.

Drivers will find the next online auction being held between Wednesday, November 22 and Tuesday, November 28.

Two plates, “150 A” and “1313 A”, are expected to be the most expensive when they go under the hammer, with both plates having a starting price of £2,500.

Roads Minister Richard Holden spoke at the previous auction, which took place last month, with hundreds of number plates going under the hammer.

He said: “Picking your own personalised registration is a great way to add a personal touch to your vehicle, and the DVLA auction is a fantastic opportunity to find exactly what you’re looking for.

“With DVLA raising almost £15million in the past three auctions, I’m particularly excited to be on the podium for the last ever in-person auction to seal some of the bids and see people take home their perfect registration.”

The most expensive number plate ever sold at a DVLA auction was “25 0”, which was sold for a staggering £400,000, although this figure did not include any additional fees.

The owner of the plate, believed to be Berkshire-based John Collins, wanted the registration to commemorate the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO.

Another plate – “K1 NGS” – held the title as the most expensive number plate for almost 13 years, selling for £185,000 in December 1993.

This was sold before the UK standardised number plates to the current format of two letters followed by two numbers and ending in three letters in 2001.

It also included the launch of a local memory tag, with the first set of numbers representing the region and the second denoting a DVLA local office.

Other changes were made in 1999 when new registrations were changed from annually to twice a year.

Jody Davies, Head of DVLA Personalised Registrations, said: “We are looking forward to holding our last in-person venue auction in Stratford-upon-Avon.

“There is always a sense of excitement in the room as people bid for their perfect registration and there will be 1,000 personalised registrations available for this last auction to suit all tastes, styles and budgets.”

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Other expensive plates which went under the hammer include “1 D”, “DEV 1L” and “51 NHG”.