Driver and Vehicle Standards (DVS) have responded to popular demand for five and six digit registration numbers by selling them over the counter at its offices at La Collette.
Islanders who want to check whether a certain combination of numbers is available before placing an order, can do so at their self-service computer in the DVS reception.
They can then obtain the right to display their chosen number on their car for a fee of £250.
Transport Minister Eddie Noel said the service has been introduced because of a clear demand from customers who wanted to have dates of birth, lucky numbers and vehicle model numbers displayed on their cars, as well as combinations which were easy to remember.
He said: ‘Listening to the public, we have found that there are quite a number of people who want specific number plates for one reason or another. This new service makes it easier for them to acquire their cherished number.’
The current range of numbers extends to 311299, although not all numbers in that range are available. There is potential for the range to be extended in the future. It is planned that the list will be published online following a trial period of the plates being available over the counter at the DVS offices.
The department will continue to hold its popular annual auction where three and four digit and JSY numbers, along with interesting numbers, will go under the hammer later in the year.
WHILE bidders in Jersey spent a total of nearly £200,000 on desirable car number plates at an auction in December last year, a few days later a British record sum of £518,000 including taxes and fees was paid for a personalised registration.
The Island’s star lot, JSY2, sold for £43,000 – almost of quarter of the £198,100 total that was raised.
Meanwhile, J611 sold for over £15,000, while more than £13,000 was spent on JSY30.
The UK amount smashes the previous DVLA record of £352,411, which was spent on 1D in 2009.
The plate 25 O was sold at a three-day DVLA event in Cardiff marking the 25th anniversary of the Personalised Registrations sales.
The buyer, John Collins, owns Talacrest, a dealer in rare classic Ferraris, and just hours after paying £130,320 for the registration 250 L he spent almost five times as much on 25 O.
He also paid £3,000 for 500 FER. Both registrations are already destined for classic Ferraris; 25 O will be worn by a 250 SWB once owned by Eric Clapton, while 250 L will go on to a 1964 Ferrari Lusso.
Moments after his success, Mr Collins said: ‘I was just determined to own them. It was just a case of how much I was going to have to pay for the privilege.’
Asked just how much he was prepared to pay for 25 O, Mr Collins replied: ‘I’m not too sure. It could possibly have been the first £1 million personalised registration!’
Jody Davies, DVLA Personalised Registrations’ Events Manager, said: ‘What a spectacular way to mark our 150th auction during our 25th Anniversary year.
‘While we had high hopes for both registrations, we never dreamt they would be so successful and enable us to make history for the DVLA.’
The other highest sellers so far in the sale include CU11 ENS (£26,648), FU11 ERS (£23,202) and 1 HJW (£21,084).
The Jersey auction was held by auctioneer Simon Drieu at Highlands College on behalf of the Transport Department.
A total of 50 lots went under the hammer, including a number of three- and four-digit J and JSY plates.
