What's the quickest way to get a private plate onto a car?

[Derp]

Looking at buying an older car, 2003 or similar e46 3-series.

Snobbery or not, i'd rather stick an NI plate on, and these can be bought very easily off the internet for a few quid.

How long would it take to get it onto the car? Is it advisable to buy the car first, or the plate? Can it be done the same day, or would the car have to wear the old plates for a few weeks first?

[TheEnd]

I don't know if the NI plates make if different, but I've done everything in a day.

[Fats25]

Do you mean NI as northern Ireland? Or NI as non identifying?

Non identifying UK plate - get the plate, have the "transfer doc" ready, buy the car, get the V5 - take all paperwork to a DVLA office, swap your tax disc, and away you go.

So to answer the question - get plate first, and you have 12 months to sort the car out.

[LooneyTunes]

Fats25 said:

Do you mean NI as northern Ireland? Or NI as non identifying?

Non identifying UK plate - get the plate, have the "transfer doc" ready, buy the car, get the V5 - take all paperwork to a DVLA office, swap your tax disc, and away you go.

So to answer the question - get plate first, and you have 12 months to sort the car out.

Less than 30 mins, inc. queuing time last time I did that.

[Pontoneer]

Sticky pads will be the quickest method ; drilling and screwing takes longer but is more secure .

[tbc]

Northern Ireland plates are good if you want initials

and not that expensive

[craigjm]

Pontoneer said:

Sticky pads will be the quickest method ; drilling and screwing takes longer but is more secure .

I was tempted to write that when I opened the thread

[Riley Blue]

I'd buy the car first otherwise when you get the plate you won't have anything to stick or screw it to.

[Derp]

Fats25 said:

Do you mean NI as northern Ireland? Or NI as non identifying?

Non identifying UK plate - get the plate, have the "transfer doc" ready, buy the car, get the V5 - take all paperwork to a DVLA office, swap your tax disc, and away you go.

So to answer the question - get plate first, and you have 12 months to sort the car out.

I meant Irish plates, to put on a UK/standard car.

[Fats25]

Derp said:

I meant Irish plates, to put on a UK/standard car.

I have no idea!