More than half of UK drivers – 56% – believe that personalised number plates owners have more money than sense. These are the findings of a survey published today by Budget Home Insurance. 

Just 5% of respondents think that personalised number plates are stylish while more than a third– 38% – think that drivers’ who own them are flashy.  Fourteen per cent think personalised number plates are a sign that their owners are fun while 13% believe they show that they are wealthy. 

Over a third of drivers admit to owning their personalised number plate for a bit of fun; 26% of drivers received their number plate as gift while 9% bought it as an investment.  Personalised number plates retail at anything from a few hundred pounds to over £200,000, depending on their collectibility.

The research reveals that 15% of UK drivers believe that personalised number plate owners are worse drivers. But the statistics show otherwise – 59% of women drivers who own personalised number plates have not had a single accident in the last decade, as well as 53% of men.

Lisa Corston, Budget Home Insurance, said:

“Personalised number plates have become yet another fashion accessory set by celebs like Victoria and David Beckham with their distinctive DVB plate emblazoned on their Bentley.  Other personalised plates such as Paul Daniel’s MAG 1C, Nicky Clarke’s H41R DO and Tommy Walsh’s MR D1Y on the Groundforce truck also influence the trend.

“The whole issue of personalised number plates stirs up mixed reactions - some people think they are the height of fashion and some think they are pretentious and ghastly.   However, our main concern is road safety