The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has released the list of banned number plates, and it includes all combinations with the number ’73,’ such as BE73 END and FA73 DCK.
Every year, two sets of number plates are issued, with the ’23’ plates released in March and the ’73’ plates scheduled for September.
Given the vast number of plates released—over a million each time—it’s not surprising that some combinations of letters and numbers could spell offensive words or phrases, or come close to doing so.
Prior to each release, the DVLA prohibits certain number plates that they have identified as being too offensive for use on the road.
Jon Kirkbright, sales director at Platehunter, a specialist in buying and selling private number plates, submitted a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA to obtain the exclusive list of banned plates. Unsurprisingly, the list includes offensive combinations such as BO73 LOX, HA73 GAY, LE73 ZZA, SH73 TER, and WH73 PWR.
Commenting on the banned plates, Jon stated, “With such a large number of plates being released at once, it’s not surprising that some of them are deemed unsuitable for the road. However, some of them are on the borderline, but I understand the DVLA’s decision to exercise extra caution. They are simply aiming to protect a significant source of revenue.”
According to Jon, the biannual release of new number plates also brings thousands of popular combinations, with names always being the most sought-after plates.
He predicted that EL73NOR, AN73 ONY, and FA73 EMA would be popular choices among the new releases, and he is currently selling these plates for prices ranging from £4,995 to £7,995.
Platehunter, which has been in the trade for 11 years and boasts over 56 million personalised number plates for sale, prides itself on being an affordable supplier. Plates are available starting from just £39 plus VAT and the transfer fee.
Jon further added, “Names always sell very well. People want their name on their car, and the market’s popularity is continuously growing. We have observed an increasing number of individuals interested in purchasing personalised plates for themselves, their children, or even their business vehicles.”
“Names or initials are what customers most often seek in their purchases. Each new release is an exciting opportunity for drivers to acquire plates that have never been available before. While we don’t offer pre-ordered plates, we strive to obtain 95% of the plates that our clients inquire about.”
Individuals in search of registration plates are encouraged to explore the Platehunter website. Jon emphasised, “If customers are unable to find what they are looking for, they can provide us with their specifications, and we will notify them if the desired plate becomes available.”
“We also have the ability to acquire any number plate from the DVLA auction, as long as it is legal and has never been issued before.”
For more information or assistance with purchasing or selling a private number plate, visit PlateHunter. Alternatively, you can connect with them on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Here is the full list of ‘73’ number plates banned by the DVLA:
AA73 USD
AA73 USE
AA73 USR
AB73 TCH
AB73 USD
AB73 USE
AB73 USR
AF73 CCK
AF73 CKA
AF73 CKK
AF73 CKR
AF73 CKS
AF73 GAT
AF73 GOT
AF73 GTT
AF73 GUT
AF73 KER
AH73 LER
AH73 LRR
AH73 LRS
AH73 OMO
AJ73 HAD
AK73 YKE
AN73 BLK
AN73 BLM
AN73 GAY
AN73 HRH
AN73 LEZ
AN73 LGB
AN73 LZR
AN73 PAK
AN73 PKY
AN73 USA
AN73 VAX
AN73 WAR
AR73 YAN
AS73 HOL
AS73 OLE
AU73 STC
AW73 ORE
BA73 BOY
BB73 TCH
BB73 WUP
BE73 END
BL73 WJB
BO73 CKS
BO73 LOC
BO73 LOK
BO73 LOX
BO73 OCK
BO73 OXX
BU73 SHT
CO73 LRD
CO73 ORD
CO73 RRD
CR73 PLE
CR73 PPL
CU73 FWF
CU73 MUF
CU73 NOB
CU73 VAG
CU73 VAJ
EA73 DCK
EA73 DKS
EA73 DYK
EA73 FWF
EA73 GAL
EA73 GRL
EA73 HER
EA73 MEE
EA73 MME
EA73 MOT
EA73 MUF
EA73 MUM
EA73 NAN
EA73 NOB
EA73 POO
EA73 PWP
EA73 VAG
EA73 VAJ
EA73 YOU
EU73 BOM
EU73 OMB
EU73 ROR
EU73 WAR
FA73 DCK
FA73 DYC
FA73 DYK
FA73 GAT
FA73 GTS
FA73 GTT
FA73 GUT
FA73 NOB
FA73 PRC
FA73 PRK
FA73 WAH
FF73 CCK
FF73 CKA
FF73 CKK
FF73 CKR
FF73 CKS
FF73 GAT
FF73 GOT
FF73 GTT
FF73 GUT
FF73 KER
FK73 VAJ
GB73 ANG
GB73 BAD
GB73 BOM
GB73 DED
GB73 DWN
GB73 FKT
GB73 GNG
GB73 GRL
GB73 GUN
GB73 HTR
GB73 KLL
GB73 KLR
GB73 KLS
GB73 MOB
GB73 ROR
GB73 SHT
GB73 WAR
GO73 OMB
HA73 BLK
HA73 BLM
HA73 BOY
HA73 COP
HA73 GAY
HA73 GBR
HA73 HRH
HA73 JUW
HA73 KYK
HA73 LGB
HA73 MEN
HA73 PAK
HA73 PKY
HA73 RUS
HA73 UKR
HA73 USA
HA73 WAR
HA73 WHT
HA73 WPC
HE73 OLA
HH73 LAR
HH73 LER
HH73 LRR
HH73 LRS
HH73 NAZ
HH73 TLR
HH73 WAR
JJ73 HAD
KK73 YKE
KN73 FED
KN73 FER
KN73 FES
KN73 FEU
KN73 FEX
KN73 VED
KN73 VES
KN73 VEU
LE73 BOO
LE73 BOS
LE73 BOZ
LE73 EAN
LE73 EEN
LE73 OES
LE73 OOS
LE73 YAN
LE73 ZAA
LE73 ZAR
LE73 ZAS
LE73 ZAZ
LE73 ZBO
LE73 ZER
LE73 ZRR
LE73 ZRS
LE73 ZZA
LE73 ZZR
MO73 EST
NO73 JOB
NO73 LAC
NO73 LAK
NO73 LCK
NO73 LKS
OB73 TCH
OF73 CCK
OF73 CKA
OF73 CKK
OF73 CKR
OF73 CKS
OF73 GAT
OF73 GOT
OF73 GTT
OF73 GUT
OF73 KER
PE73 ADO
PE73 RVT
PE73 VRT
PP73 SED
SH73 HED
SH73 HOT
SH73 TER
SH73 TTR
SS73 NAZ
SU73 CDE
TA73 BAN
TE73 ROR
TH73 EAT
TT73 ROR
TT73 TTS
TT73 TTY
TT73 WAT
TW73 WAT
UA73 USD
UA73 USE
UA73 USR
UB73 TCH
UB73 WUP
UF73 CCK
UF73 CKA
UF73 CKK
UF73 CKR
UF73 CKS
UF73 GAT
UF73 GOT
UF73 GTT
UF73 GUT
UF73 KER
UH73 OMO
UK73 ANG
UK73 KEE
UK73 KES
UK73 ROR
UK73 YKE
US73 ROR
US73 WAR
WE73 ACK
WH73 KKK
WH73 PWR
WH73 RES
WH73 RLE
WH73 RUL
WH73 WAR
YB73 TCH
