SNOBBERY could bring the trade rolling in for North Yorkshire car dealers as motorists seek to buy themselves a desirable number plate.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency introduced new plates on Saturday, with location and age identifiers within the registration numbers.
New research suggests that drivers living in Leeds and Sheffield may be keen to buy a car from elsewhere to get a preferable number plate.
A little bit of snobbery may see them avoid the YA-YU tags associated with the West Yorkshire areas in favour of the YV-YY plates available over this side of the county.
The study, undertaken by Saga Car Direct, indicated 12 per cent of people in Yorkshire would consider buying a car from elsewhere - meaning the chance of an influx to North Yorkshire.
The research also revealed that 29 per cent of people in Yorkshire cannot remember their own number plates.
The new format applies to all new vehicles registered after September 1 in the first major overhaul of the old system for 38 years.
"The new format has been the result of extensive consultation with the police, public, motoring industry and motoring groups," said DVLA chief executive Clive Bennett.
"The new format will give a clear guide to the date and location of a vehicle's registration. The new system builds on the knowledge of the old, enhancing elements that will add to public safety and help in the detection of crime."
Updated: 11:58 Monday, September 03, 2001
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