More than meets the eye on ASH 17Y number plate
(PRWEB UK) 25 July 2013 -- DVLA’s auction in Warwickshire, which starts today, will see numerous number plates go under the hammer, including many which represent names.
GA12 ETH (Gareth), SA11 EED (Saieed), WE13 BER (Webber), and FRA 54R (Frasar) will all be auctioned off for the first time.
For one plate in particular, however, there may be more than one meaning that will be read into it, meaning the buyer could find themselves with ASH 17Y plate.
"DVLA’s registrations are literally just a combination of letters and numbers in a specific format, used to identify cars," National Numbers Chairman, Eric Craggs.
"We can read into the combination as much as we want. This is how we arrived at personalised number plates in the first place, by reading numbers and letters and thus getting names.
"But that it can work against us when other words and meanings are read into our private plates, and they start to look like something less innocent."
ASH 17Y appears initially as “Ashley”, but with the “1” being able to represent “I” as well as “L”, and the “7” more commonly used in plate of a “T”, this registration mark becomes something different.
The same problem emerged in 2012 when the number plate WA11 KER (Walker) was removed from auction due to it also being read potentially as a vulgar word.
Susan Craggs, one of the Directors at National Numbers, explains why rude words on car registration plates can be a problem for the DVLA.
"All number plates, private or not, are DVLA authorised and issued," said Susan Craggs.
"It is important for them to ensure that the general public are not exposed to anything offensive or obscene on something they have had issued."
DVLA’s propriety committee meets every year to discuss the number plates that could be considered offensive and remove them from the market. Racial and sexual slurs and swear words normally dominate their list.
Several close-to-the-knuckle plates have slipped through the net. X351 ARO was auctioned off in 2003 little did DVLA release it spelled “ORAL SEX” backwards. It was bought by National Numbers at the time as a bit of fun, but was sent back to the DVLA soon after.
A similar plate, X321 ARO, was also released as a standard private reg available from DVLA and remains on the market.
PEN 15 can also be found, despite spelling a much more obvious word.
National Numbers is a private number plate dealer with over 30 years experience in the personalised registration industry. As a company they have attended every auction, bidding on behalf of hundreds of customers. Their experienced and knowledgeable sales team will be able to help with any queries regarding a number plate.
Daniel Walker, National Numbers, http://www.NationalNumbers.co.uk, 01642363738, [email protected]
Share this article