Martin Underwood ) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying :

Any idea why the whole country didn't start the new numberplate format
on 1 Jan 1963. To have only some regions adopt the new scheme - and
not all of those starting on the same date - sounds like a ****-up and
brewery situation!

Don't forget that until the early 70s, registrations were all issued by
local authorities, rather than a centralised authority. They just went on
in their own sweet way doing their own sweet little thing...

Another question: what are the rules about white-on-black plates
versus black-on-white/yellow plates. I thought it became a legal
requirement to have black-on-white/yellow round about H or J, but I
occasionally see newer cars (though still with the year letter as a
*suffix*) with old-style white-on-black plates.

Legally, white-on-black is only allowed on cars first registered pre
1/1/73.

London buses are the worst offenders of the lot...