[tomc88]

in the UK you get assigned a really boring number for your car, it also has a year signifier.

you can buy custom number plates, but you are really limited because format must be the same, ie 2 letters, then 2 numbers, then three letters

you can also buy older plates that use older formats,

so in the UK (and maybe other euro countries) getting your plate to spell something is quite a big deal!! saw 230MPH on ebay for £22,000!