Number plates may seem like small details, but they can become just as legendary as the cars they’re attached to. From the Batmobile to Bond’s Aston Martin, some plates are instantly recognisable to fans around the world.
But do these on-screen plates belong to real cars? And how do productions make sure everything looks just right? Let’s take a look at how film and TV handle number plates—and revisit some of the most iconic ones ever to hit our screens.
Do films and TV shows use real registration plates?
If you’ve ever been watching a TV show or film and wondered how ‘real’ all the cars are, you’re not alone! Maybe you’re a motorhead, or like so many, just curious… Eagle-eyed viewers may even notice if a registration plate can’t possibly match a vehicle due to when a certain make and model came out.
Film or TV productions may need to film a ‘hero vehicle’ with fake plates, as it could be registered in a different country or may need to appear older or younger than it really is.
To get around this, the DVLA issue ghost plates to use for film and TV purposes. Under these circumstances, the DVLA assign ownership of the number plates to the production company for the duration of filming.
And on a larger scale if a production needs multiple cars, some vehicle manufacturers have hire fleets, which they will lend out.
Do you remember these iconic on-screen number plates?
BAT 1
In 1966, Adam West’s Batman burst onto TV screens and introduced audiences to one of the most iconic vehicles in pop culture history: the Batmobile. The caped crusader’s car sported bat-like features and advanced technology, alongside the famous BAT 1 licence plate.
ECTO-1
Who you gonna call? That’s right, this plate is basically as recognisable as the converted, red and white 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance. It’s a true staple of 80s cinema, and has endured through into the newer films featuring the next generation of Ghostbusters!
JB 007
If we’re talking iconic movie cars, James Bond has to make the cut. This plate is an absolute hallmark of the Bond franchise, appearing on several Aston Martins. The plate ‘BMT 216A’ is also iconic amongst fans, first appearing in Goldfinger.
DVH 938D
Like the Trotters themselves, the bright yellow Robin Reliant Supervan is quirky, unreliable, yet unforgettable! Several Reliant Supervans were used in filming for Only Fools and Horses, and many people claim to own genuine screen used vans, but very few have proof.
OUTATIME
Few motors are as famous as Doc Brown’s DeLorean in the Back To The Future franchise. The OUTATIME licence plate actually has more characters than would be allowed on a real one in California, but that’s hardly top of the list for impossible or implausible things in the film!
FAB 1
Lady Penelope’s pink, six-wheeled Rolls Royce certainly is fabulous. This iconic on-screen plate started out in miniature on the Thunderbirds puppet show, before it was brought to life in 1966. A full-sized replica was constructed to transport writers-producers Gerry and Sylvia Anderson to the premiere of Thunderbirds Are Go in London.
OFP857
If that’s not ringing any bells, maybe the number 53 will help? Yes, this is the number plate for the Love Bug himself, Herbie! This plate stayed until 2005, when in Herbie Fully Loaded, the only film in the series not to feature a front licence plate on the Volkswagen Beetle.
NRVOUS
Have you ever borrowed your Dad’s rare 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder? Us neither…
But that’s exactly what the care-free Ferris Bueller convinces Cameron to do in John Hughes’ teen comedy classic. A real model was used for certain shots, but the production also had numerous replicas made, which have gone on to become collector’s items. And the original sold at auction in 2015 for over $16m!
Get the star treatment!
Like these legendary plates, every driver is unique—just as your insurance should be. Whether you’re covering a classic car, a specialist vehicle, or your everyday motor, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t always cut it.
That’s where an insurance broker comes in. Rather than a tick-box policy, a broker will help find tailored cover that suits your needs, ensuring you’re just as well protected as the stars of the silver screen.
Search Howden Insurance to find your local branch, and pop in or ring to speak to the team.
Sources: Wikipedia, BBC, Petrolheadism
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- Dashcams and driver scores – do they reduce your premium?
- Should pavement parking be banned?
This is a marketing blog by Howden Insurance.