number plate

number plate
(BrE) (also license plate AmE))
a metal or plastic plate on the front and back of a vehicle with a series of numbers and letters, the registration number, which identifies that vehicle.
  In Britain, vehicles have a white plate at the front and a yellow plate at the back. In the past, the year in a which a car was made was shown by the letter at the start or the end of the registration number, each year a new letter of the alphabet was used. A new system was introduced in 2001 using seven characters. The first two letters show the area in which the vehicle was first registered, the next two numbers show the year the vehicle was made, for example 04 for the first part of 2004 and 54 for the second part of the same year. The final three letters are chosen randomly. The registration number of each new vehicle is registered with the DVLA and stays with the vehicle even if it moves to a new area or has a new owner.
  Within the European Union, new number plates now include a blue strip on one side which shows the EU symbol of 12 yellow stars and the country code of the country which the vehicle is from, such as GB for Britain.
  In the US, license plates are issued by the State government and contain enough letters and numbers for the number of cars in the state, so that small states have shorter registration numbers. They often use different colours, symbols and slogans related to the state. If the owner of a vehicle moves to a new state, they must get new license plates.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • number plate — number plates also numberplate N COUNT A number plate is a sign on the front and back of a vehicle that shows its registration number. [BRIT] He drove a Rolls Royce with a personalised number plate. (in AM, use license plate) …   English dictionary

  • number plate — number .plate n BrE one of the signs with numbers and letters on it at the front and back of a car →↑registration number American Equivalent: license plate …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • number plate — number ,plate noun count BRITISH a LICENSE PLATE …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • number plate — ► NOUN Brit. ▪ a sign on the front and rear of a vehicle displaying its registration number …   English terms dictionary

  • number plate — noun : a plate or tab bearing an identifying number; specifically : license plate * * * noun, pl ⋯ plates [count] chiefly Brit : ↑license plate * * * ˈnumber plate [number plate number plates] …   Useful english dictionary

  • number plate — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms number plate : singular number plate plural number plates British an official sign on the front and back of a motor vehicle, with numbers and letters on it that show who it belongs to. The American word is… …   English dictionary

  • Number plate — A number plate may be: a vehicle registration plate a plate attached to a locomotive indicating their number, particularly in the UK and Australia, which are often collected as memorabilia. a plate attached to the front or sides of racing vehicle …   Wikipedia

  • number plate — license plate, car number, combination of numerals stamped into a metal plate which identifies the vehicle …   English contemporary dictionary

  • number plate — noun Date: 1920 chiefly British license plate …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • number plate — noun Either of a pair of rectangular metal plates, containing a mixture of letters and numbers fixed to the front and rear of a motor car showing that its identity has been registered with the DVLA Syn: license plate …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”