A UK driver has spent an eyewatering £56,040 to secure a personalised number plate from the DVLA, marking one of the largest amounts spent at auction.
The driver acquired the registration 'OAS 1S' during a DVLA auction, demonstrating the substantial sums motorists are willing to invest in personalised plates.
The purchase coincided with the band's nostalgic performances throughout Britain and highlights an expanding market for distinctive registrations.
The DVLA launched its most recent week-long digital auction last week, offering personalised plates with opening prices beginning at £70.
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The driver paid £56,000 for the personalised Oasis number plate
The DVLA auctions occur every eight weeks, providing regular opportunities for drivers to acquire unique registrations from an authorised provider.
But while drivers can buy unique number plates, the DVLA does maintain strict regulations for vehicles to ensure road safety and legal compliance.
All plates must feature black lettering on white backgrounds for front plates and yellow backgrounds for rear plates, using reflective materials that meet British Standard BS AU 145e for plates installed after September 2021.
The regulations prohibit background patterns and require characters to be non-removable and non-reflective, with plates fitted after September 2021 displaying a uniform black shade.
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The DVLA number plate auction takes place every eight weeks
Plates must also display the supplier's details and the British Standard marking with three-dimensional raised lettering permitted, as are specific flags, symbols and identifiers, while electric vehicles may feature a green flash.
Motorcycles and motor tricycles registered after September 2001 need to only display rear plates, while trailers must display the towing vehicle's registration.
Failure to follow the number plate rules carries a hefty penalty, with drivers warned they could be fined £1,000. The current DVLA auction features numerous personalised registrations at various price points, demonstrating accessibility for different budgets.
Notable examples include '599 A' with an opening bid of £2,500, while '400 BEN' and '33 GEM' both start at £1,200. More affordable options include '212 LEE' and '292 SAM' at £800 each, with 'ALF 5IE' available from £300.
The auction platform enables motorists to secure distinctive registrations without the premium prices often associated with private sales.
With starting bids as low as £70, the DVLA's regular auctions provide opportunities for drivers seeking unique plates that reflect personal interests, names or creative combinations.
Carl Hanley from JDM Plates, a specialist in compliant bespoke registrations, explained that personalised plates have evolved beyond simple vanity purchases.
"What was once seen as a luxury for the few is now open to all, thanks to the DVLA's accessible online auction platform," he stated.
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He added: "We're seeing more motorists use plates as a creative form of self-expression, and crucially, as a way to stand out without needing to alter their car in costly or warranty-voiding ways."
Registrations can represent nicknames, businesses or cultural references, as demonstrated by the Oasis plate sale.
The rarest combinations attract investor interest due to their resale potential, transforming number plates into both personal statements and financial assets.
Hanley emphasises the importance of adhering to DVLA regulations when personalising plates, recommending his company's number plate generator to explore compliant combinations based on personal interests, vehicles or significant dates.