Cherished Number Plate Information

Information about cherished number plate OBE 399G.

This combination was issued from 1968

This plate would have been issued by Lincolnshire (Lindsey) C.C. (currently Lincoln (Grimsby)).

Cherished number plates, such as OBE 399G, consist of a string of letters and numbers which provide a unique identifying mark for each vehicle licensed to use the roads in the United Kingdom. The number plates used to display this identifying registration number have to conform to strict standards and specifications to ensure clarity and visibility. Recently the regulations pertaining to the display of DVLA registrations have become more and more exacting as the authorities attempt to combat crime and traffic offences.

Given that the law compels every motorist on the UK's roads to display an identifying number plate, it is not surprising that people have found ways to turn that limitation into a bit of fun. A mandatory vehicle registration may have been introduced for tedious bureaucratic reasons, but people have come to realise that, by selecting the characters displayed on their plates, they are often able to contrive combinations that look very much like names and words. These personal touches help an otherwise unremarkable car to stand out from any number of identical vehicles.

When choosing a personalised number plate, one must be aware that the selected registration plate must not be newer than the vehicle it is being paired with. This is because a newer plate on an older car would give the impression that the vehicle is newer than it truly is. This applies to all registration numbers that have age-identifiers (introduced in 1963 to today). However, dateless registrations are also available. These are popular because they are succinct, extremely scarce, and can be displayed on any car.