In the modern times, getting personalised license plates for cars has become a matter of necessity more than luxury. In the UK, car-owners agree to pay several pounds for getting preferential number or letter combinations for their number plates. In a world where car-owners are bogged down by expensive options of number plates and limited by number combinations, getting appealing and cheap number plates is quite rare. However buyers who simply focus on the message behind the license plate, while sticking to a fixed budget can suitably purchase a license plate, that is bound to give them satisfaction for years to come.
This article lists some of the ways to get number plates that are both cheap as well as appealing to the eye.

• Set a fixed budget: License plates may be availed either directly from the DVLA, if you are a resident of UK, or from several online retailers which boast of a wide variety of cherished, cheap number plates. They turn up at several websites and the fancy ones are sold sometimes at auctions too. Whatever be the mode of purchase, it is important to set priorities straight and decide on a budget, before you end up splurging more than you can, simply on a license plate. You will also need to put some money aside for registration with the DVLA, so stay true to your budget, no matter however much customised the number plates are.

• Be flexible with the budget: As much as it is important to be faithful to your budget, it also never hurts to be flexible when the need arises. When you are a novice buyer and are navigating the arena of UK license plates, it is best to go with a clean slate and be open to consider a wide variety of options. If you are inflexible with your budget, you may only end up buying a cheap number plate which simply does not portray the personal message you want. The cheap and suitable number plate is somewhere a trade-off between price and appeal.

• Know the plate styles: UK number plates are of four major styles like dateless style,prefix style, suffix style as well as current style. The most desirable of all styles are the dateless one, as it carries a look of vanity and old-world charm, something that every buyer wants for his car. In dateless number plates, the date of purchase of car is not explicitly displayed on the plates, as it occurs with other plate styles. Dateless number plates are expensive as much as they are attractive, and likely to entice you off your budget. Hence the current style is most appropriate for the thrifty buyer.

• Keep in mind the fees: Before making the purchase, the buyer should be acquainted with the various fees that may be required for payment upfront. The DVLA always charges assignment fee and the ‘change details’ fee on personalised number plates. These fees are costly and may come across as a shock to the buyer who is on a tight budget already.

Finally, it is important to note that the number plates should appeal to the personality of the owner, as these plates adorn the car in both the front and the rear sides. Number plates for some are a status symbol while for others, it is an obligation, yet it is a necessity for all, so it is important to consider the aforementioned points, before making an informed decision on the purchase of cheap number plates.