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Number plate lookup

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2026 1:59 pm
by 59Elva
Some of you have been able to find information about a particular car from the number plate. Is there a public access site for this that a rebel from this side could use? Our Elva registrar is trying to identify this Courier, ELV 803. The number looks suspiciously custom. Are vanity plates a thing over there?
Bill B

Re: Number plate lookup

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2026 2:50 pm
by svenedin
This is the public website to look up the details from the registration number: https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

ELV 803 is not found


Prior to February 1963, registration numbers consisted of letters followed by numbers with no letter for the year so ELV 803 could have been a genuine registration number.


Sometimes people use "show plates" at car shows that are not real registration numbers. They are not valid for use on the public highway.

Personalised number plates, choosing an existing unassigned registration number and putting it on a car for use on the public roads is allowed on completion of the necessary paperwork and payment of fees. Some rare number plates are valuable and make large sums of money at auctions. Sometimes the rights to the registration number is worth more than the car.

Stephen

Re: Number plate lookup

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2026 3:11 pm
by 59Elva
Thanks Stephen,
The screens and mirrors suggest it’s a track car but the lack of a roll over bar would rule that out at least over here. I assume such safety features are required over there as well?

Re: Number plate lookup

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2026 4:03 pm
by MM1949
Not found on the DVLA system can mean the number no longer exists or it has never existed or it is on retention.

The ELV 803 registration number is for sale, so it is on retention, so it could have possibly been on that car at some point.

https://www.platehunter.com/plate/ELV-803