ZZ Top, Kermit, and The Beast among most unusual car names DVLA reveals - The Leamington Observer

ZZ Top, Kermit, and The Beast among most unusual car names DVLA reveals

Leamington Editorial 7th Dec, 2021   0

Research by DVLA shows that 1 in 6 motorists have named their car, with 27% of those surveyed admitting they had given their motor a moniker.

A new DVLA survey reveals that:

  • 1 in 6 motorists surveyed name their car – and those aged 35 to 53 most likely to do so
  • Disco Dave, Lady Patricia, The Beast and ZZ Top among most unusual names

The quickest and easiest way to tell DVLA you’ve sold a car is by visiting DVLA’s online service on GOV.UK.

Telling DVLA that you’ve sold a vehicle online only takes a few minutes, DVLA’s database updates instantly and customers will also get any refund on vehicle tax quicker.

A recent DVLA survey has revealed that Disco Dave, Lady Patricia, the Beast, and ZZ Top are among the most unusual names that people have given their cars.




The nicknames, which include a mix of unusual and traditional names, were revealed to the agency in its latest motoring survey.

The most popular names the survey’s 2,095 respondents gave their vehicles included Betsy, Pablo, Max, Ruby, and Doris – with Max and Ruby also among the top 50 most popular baby names this year.


While TV and film characters also inspired many motorists, with the Bat Mobile, Betty Boop, Eeyore, Homer, Kermit, Mickey, Olaf, and Snow White also on the list.

Motorists aged 35 to 54 were the most likely to name their vehicles with 27% admitting they had given their motor a moniker, according to the survey. While those aged 16 to 34 were the second most likely to name their cars with just over 26% revealing they’d done so.

Motorists who are planning to sell their beloved vehicles must tell DVLA they are no longer the owner when the vehicle is sold and the quickest and easier way to do this is online.

Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive said:

Whatever you name your car, when it’s time to say goodbye, our online services will always be the fastest, easiest and most convenient way to tell us you’ve sold or transferred a vehicle.

We’re delighted that 98% of customers were satisfied with the service and would use this again.

We’d encourage anyone who is planning on selling their car to let us know online as quickly as possible to ensure the vehicle’s record is updated promptly.

DID YOU KNOW?

WHO CAN DISPLAY A BLACK AND SILVER NUMBER PLATE?

Due to a correction made by the DVLA on 1st January 2021, vehicles constructed after 1st January 1980 are not allowed to display an old black and white number plate, i.e., with white, silver or grey characters on a black plate. This applies even if the vehicle is over 40 years’ old and recorded in the DVLA’s ‘historic vehicles’ tax class.

Only vehicles registered before the 1st of January 1980 are allowed to display a black and silver number plate, providing they have applied to the DVLA and are registered with the ‘historic vehicles’ tax class.

WHAT IS LEGAL AND ILLEGAL FOR NUMBER PLATES IN THE UK?

Below is a list of points that are illegal when it comes to your registration plates:

  • Decorative typeface (no italic lettering or hard to read font style)
  • Altering characters (such a screws used to change a 0 to an 8)
  • Using non-authorised symbols (such as sporting or religious emblems)
  • Not supplying the British Standard symbol
  • Altering configuration (putting gaps to separate characters)

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DISPLAY A NUMBER PLATE INCORRECTLY?

The modern number plate has to be clear and reflective, displaying black characters in a standard size on a white background for the front and a yellow background for the rear.

If your vehicle does not display legal number plates you could be fined up to £1,000 and your car will automatically fail an MOT.

To tell DVLA you’ve sold or transferred a vehicle visit GOV.UK.

DVLA opening hours: Christmas and New Year 2021

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