Motorists on the Isle of Wight will soon be sporting IW number plates for the first time following an announcement by authorities that the well-known HW prefix is to be replaced.
Historically, vehicles registered on the Isle of Wight since the early days of motoring were given the ‘DL’ suffix. This remained the case until late 2001 when the first HW prefix plates were introduced.
Things are about to change though as it has been announced this morning (Monday 1st April) that in less than 2 years’ time the HW prefix will be replaced by the much more appropriate IW prefix.
The new ‘IW21’ number plates will be available to cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles registered from March 2021 onwards, with ‘IW71’ set to be introduced in September 2021.
April Dullard of the Driver and Vehicle License Authority (DVLA) has said:
“We are constantly reviewing the structure of licensing across the country for both drivers and their vehicles.
“After 20 years of the HW number plate, the opportunity has arisen for the Isle of Wight prefix to be introduced. We are pleased to announce today that IW21 plates will be available for purchase in just 2 years’ time.
“It is thought the new identity will prove just as popular with drivers as the well-known DL number plates of yesteryear”.
Article continues below this advertisement
Additionally, the European flag is set to be removed from newly created number plates from 12th April this year when the UK leaves the European Union.
UPDATE – This is of course an April Fools!
We got some of you… 🙂
April Dullard?? Very funny.
Nice April Fools story. “I” will never be used as a letter on English licence plates. Never has been
Happy April Fools Darren and Team….. Keep up great work
April 1st!
Could have created a better gag than this one.. dear oh dear
April Fool!