ZV registrations

PanhardPL

Back when ZV was being allocated to vehicles over 30 years old, a list was available showing the four digit numbers allocated to each county, but in the past few years that has changed with some counties having a five digit number.
Does anyone out there have this current list. I have the original list.

junkyard

Was ZV used as a number for buses before or did I get the wrong end of the stick? I thought I read somewhere that this was the case.

PanhardPL

junkyard wrote:

Was ZV used as a number for buses before or did I get the wrong end of the stick? I thought I read somewhere that this was the case.

ZV was made available to any vehicle over 30 years old when introduced. It was and still is optional to have either an ZV reg or and age related number on any pre November 1976 imported used vehicle. When first introduced all the Licensing Authorities were allocated blocks of ZV reg.s, take for example in Cork it was ZV 701 - ZV 1200 excluding ZV 1000, Limerick ZV 2801- ZV 2999 and Dublin ZV 5801 - ZV 6800 excluding ZV 6000, and in the past few years a number of Authorities have run out of 4 digit ZV's and are now using 5 digit Numbers. I have made many attempts to obtain a list of the the new 5 digit ones , but to no avail. The first list was compiled by some car club group.

G Luxel

I saw a ZV number on a CIE bus and a Ford Fiesta. But these were registered in the mid 80s. They both had a P before the Z. What county was assigned the letters Z, ZZ? I saw the Z on some yellow school buses.

junkyard

Nearly every car had a Z in the middle of two other letters in the 70's up to the 80's i.e. AZB, PZH, AZF, I remember loads of them.
ZZ is a number assigned to cars in this country for export but here on a temporary basis.

mustang68

Didn't we have a Z in the number because in the uk they never used a z?

Silvera

Yes, the letters 'I' and 'Z' were allocated to Ireland (only) in 1903.

I have the list of new 5-digit ZV numbers, but I won't be able to access them til the weekend when I'm home.


I'd like to know what happened/happens to ZV 1 - ZV 99 and ZV 1000, ZV 6000, etc which were never issued???

Will some of them be retained for use on any 'new' vintage state vehicles in the future? (e.g like 'Devs Rolls) ?

Or will they be auctioned off in the future ?

PanhardPL

A site worth checking is www.europlate.org.uk who have just set up a website. In the past they published The Interpol Guide to Vehicle Registration Plates (2000 - 2004) and Registration Plates of the World (4th Edition, 2004)

corktina

Silvera wrote:

Yes, the letters 'I' and 'Z' were allocated to Ireland (only) in 1903.

I have the list of new 5-digit ZV numbers, but I won't be able to access them til the weekend when I'm home.


I'd like to know what happened/happens to ZV 1 - ZV 99 and ZV 1000, ZV 6000, etc which were never issued???

Will some of them be retained for use on any 'new' vintage state vehicles in the future? (e.g like 'Devs Rolls) ?

Or will they be auctioned off in the future ?

to add to that, the number series in the North, the old system in the Uk and the old system here are all the same series in fact....

btw Z is used in the UK nowadays.....

MercMad

I saw a ZV number on a CIE bus and a Ford Fiesta. But these were registered in the mid 80s. They both had a P before the Z. What county was assigned the letters Z, ZZ? I saw the Z on some yellow school buses.

.......the series AZV-XZV was used on Dublin registered cars between December '84 and January '86 when the format changed over to "SI" followed by the various numbers from 2-9999 in theory ! Digits "ZG" and "ZS" follwed in Dublin before the new style 87D arrived !

There doesn't seem to be any logic to why the progressed as above so I assume the were running out of combinations!

My Dublin regsitered car, registered this year carries a ZV number with four digits starting with 7 !

dollydishmop

MercMad wrote:

.. Digits "ZG" and "ZS" follwed in Dublin before the new style 87D arrived !

OT I guess, for a ZV thread but...

My '84 is GZS.

Some tell me its from Dublin, others claim its from Cork

Can anyone shed any light?

Wishbone Ash

dollydishmop wrote:

My '84 is GZS.

Some tell me its from Dublin, others claim its from Cork

Can anyone shed any light?

Dublin

Wishbone Ash

PanhardPL wrote:

ZV was made available to any vehicle over 30 years old when introduced. It was and still is optional to have either an ZV reg or and age related number on any pre November 1976 imported used vehicle.

Does anyone know why importers of tractors/plant/specialised machinery more than 30 years old never seem to go for the ZV plate. I see loads with the standard year/county/number format but I've never seen a ZV on one yet.

dollydishmop

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Does anyone know why importers of tractors/plant/specialised machinery more than 30 years old never seem to go for the ZV plate. I see loads with the standard year/county/number format but I've never seen a ZV on one yet.

Perhaps they just like to show the age of the vehicle?

I know my personal preference is Date plates over ZV plates...

Wishbone Ash

dollydishmop wrote:

I know my personal preference is Date plates over ZV plates...

:eek::eek::eek::D

dollydishmop

I just don't like ZV plates <shrug>

corktina

dollydishmop wrote:

I just don't like ZV plates <shrug>

me too......:)

cormee

dollydishmop wrote:

I just don't like ZV plates <shrug>

I think the 'ZV' is a better option for reselling, I can't imagine too many Cork people rushing to buy a car with a 'D' reg.

..plus I prefer the understated elegance of a ZV

Dades

cormee wrote:

..plus the year county number format is a bit "look at me"ish. I prefer the understated elegance of a ZV

Isn't that's a bit like getting a Bugatti Veron in grey so it won't stand out? The car is what people notice not the reg. If you want something that no-one will notice drive a 3-series!

cormee

The Atheist wrote:

Isn't that's a bit like getting a Bugatti Veron in grey so it won't stand out? The car is what people notice not the reg. If you want something that no-one will notice drive a 3-series!

You saw my posting before I edited that line out!
My car is 36 but like any lady shes very secretive about her age - hence the ZV

Dades

cormee wrote:

You saw my posting before I edited that line out!
My car is 36 but like any lady shes very secretive about her age - hence the ZV

Hehe!

I prefer to wear the year, in the same way I like to see the year when I spot other old "ladies" on the road.

marku-allen

zv on a car is much more attractive,me personally would not buy an old car with 71 D,73 D,.....the last classic i bought had an old style reg(rpi---)if it had the year and place of first reg i wouldn't buy it....i think its a cork reg, correct me if im wrong...

G Luxel

RPI is a cork reg, and probably dates from the mid 60s. I too dont like the ZV or the year aged plates. ZV stands for import and 62 C is hidious. The government should bring back the old system. At least you could transferr a number from a car that has been scrapped or sent out of the country.

corktina

i think the Gov have missed a trick here...a lot of us would pay big money for an old-system number.....

GTI 20 perhaps?

i know someone with IU 2 who would love to sell it to Bono....

PaulK_CCI

marku-allen wrote:

zv on a car is much more attractive,me personally would not buy an old car with 71 D,73 D,.....the last classic i bought had an old style reg(rpi---)if it had the year and place of first reg i wouldn't buy it....i think its a cork reg, correct me if im wrong...

There is alsways the option to change a Classic 71 D type registration into a ZV style reg number, so I wouldn't take that fact into consideration too much in a potential purchase.

You can;t change the reg from ZV back into a 71 D type registration number though.

2cv

PaulK_CCI wrote:

There is alsways the option to change a Classic 71 D type registration into a ZV style reg numberQUOTE]

How does one do this? I never thought this was possible...

PaulK_CCI

2cv wrote:

PaulK_CCI wrote:

There is alsways the option to change a Classic 71 D type registration into a ZV style reg numberQUOTE]

How does one do this? I never thought this was possible...

Just contact your local VRO office and explain you want to re-register your 71 D type registration to an old style reg. I think they charge you the usual 50 euro's admin fee.

Eric318

Right guys, the time has come for me to register my cars here. I got a new job, so we are here to stay.

I am thinking of having a 75- plate on the Jag (because it looks so modern) and go for a ZV- plate on the MGB (because I want to make it look older). I would be curious to hear what you guys think.

One question that is important in my choice: what has the lowest number of characters, a ZV plate or a normal plate?

Thanks

Wishbone Ash

Eric318 wrote:

what has the lowest number of characters, a ZV plate or a normal plate?

The 'normal' plate would vary slightly depending on the County. Some like Dublin, Limerick City, Waterford City have one letter while most have two. The reg number would then obviously depend on how many had been imported into the county for the relevant year.

I'm not sure how high the ZVs have gone to

Silvera

Eric318 wrote:

One question that is important in my choice: what has the lowest number of characters, a ZV plate or a normal plate?

I believe that Dublin is still issuing 6-digit ZV registrations (e.g. ZV 5612) and all other counties are gone to 7-digit ZV plates (e.gg. ZV 56121).
...so it depends on which county you live in.

As for 'year' plates, I would guess that a Dublin plate would read 75-D-XXXX, whereas other counties are probably still be issuing 3-digit serial numbers, e.g. 75-WW-XXX, 75-G-XXX, etc etc

Silvera

Cool 1975 Porsche with ZV plate....:cool:

Eric318

Thanks folks.

Ah yes, I am in Dublin County. The reason why I want as few characters as possible is because I would like to use US style plates on the Jag, cause its an ex-California car. 6 or 7 characters could fit though. But the hyphens, hmmm...

See, to me that superb Porsche looks a bit odd with those old style plates... Does not look like a "Classic Car" to me...

Wishbone Ash

PaulK_CCI wrote:

There is alsways the option to change a Classic 71 D type registration into a ZV style reg number, so I wouldn't take that fact into consideration too much in a potential purchase

2cv wrote:

How does one do this? I never thought this was possible...

Yes, it's authorised under the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations 1992

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI318Y1992.html

Section 9


9. (1) The identification mark assigned by the Commissioners under section 131 (5) of the Act to a vehicle entered in the register (in this Regulation referred to as "the identification mark") shall consist of:—

( a ) the third and fourth numerals of the year in which the vehicle is first brought into use,
( b ) an index mark, as provided for in the table to paragraph 4 of the First Schedule to these Regulations, corresponding to the functional area of the licensing authority in which the owner at the time of registration ordinarily resides,
( c ) a number which when combined with the appropriate numerals and mark aforesaid produces a unique combination,
( d ) in the case of a vehicle which the Commissioners are satisfied was constructed or first brought into use more than 30 years prior to the time of registration, and the person applying for registration so requests, an index mark ZV and a unique number.
(2) A determination shall be made by the Commissioners for the purposes of this Regulation as to the year in which a vehicle is brought into use and shall take into account any previous registration documents, the distance which the vehicle has travelled, and any other matters which are, in the opinion of the Commissioners, fair and reasonable in the circumstances of the case.

(3) The numbers referred to in subparagraph (1) (c) of this Regulation shall be assigned sequentially to each index mark, but the Commissioners may omit any numbers from a sequence established under this Regulation.

(4) The identification mark of a vehicle shall remain assigned to the vehicle and no other such marks shall be assigned to the vehicle save in such circumstances as may be determined by the Commissioners or where the owner of the vehicle requests that the identification mark assigned to a vehicle which reaches 30 years of age be replaced by a mark in the ZV series.

(5) Where a declaration under section 131 of the Act is made by a person, not being an authorised person, the identification mark of the vehicle concerned shall be displayed thereon as on and from a day not more than 3 working days after the registration of the vehicle.

(6) The identification mark of a vehicle shall, until the vehicle is scrapped, destroyed or sent permanently out of the State, be exhibited on the vehicle on a rectangular plate or on an unbroken rectangular surface forming part of the vehicle and, in either case, the identification mark shall comply as to lettering, numbering and otherwise, with the provisions set out in the First Schedule to these Regulations.

(7) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (8), the identification mark of a vehicle shall be exhibited, in the case of a vehicle which has only one front wheel, on the back of the vehicle and, in the case of any other vehicle, on the front of and on the back of the vehicle in a vertical or nearly vertical position, so that every letter or figure of the identification mark is vertical or nearly vertical and is easily distinguishable, in the case of the letters and figures placed on the front of the vehicle, from in front of the vehicle and in the case of the letters and figures placed on the back of the vehicle, from behind the vehicle.

(8) Where one or more trailers of any kind are attached to a vehicle, a duplicate of the identification mark of the vehicle shall be exhibited on the back of the rearmost trailer in the manner that the identification mark is required to be exhibited on the back of the vehicle.

(9) Figures, letters, designs, ornamentation's, fittings or structures shall not be placed on a vehicle or trailer in such a position as to render more difficult the reading or distinguishing of the identification mark or duplicate identification mark of the vehicle or trailer.

Silvera

Eric318 wrote:

Thanks folks.

Ah yes, I am in Dublin County. The reason why I want as few characters as possible is because I would like to use US style plates on the Jag, cause its an ex-California car. 6 or 7 characters could fit though. But the hyphens, hmmm...

See, to me that superb Porsche looks a bit odd with those old style plates... Does not look like a "Classic Car" to me...

I have seen lots of cars with both ZV or 'year' registrations using US-style plates....mostly without the hypens.

I believe Steve Frampton in the UK www.framptons.net can supply them.

The Porsche 911 pictured above was in production from 75 til 88 so many of them were originally registered in Ireland pre-1986 (i.e. with old-style plates similar to ZV plates).
.....I do however agree that it looks a lot newer than 1975 tho!

Maybe we all shouldn't complain too much about our ZV plates.....in Germany all vintage vehicles have to display modern registrations on Euro plates :eek:

Silvera

.....though technically speaking US-style plates are for 'show use only' and normal sized plates should be displayed when in use on public roads, like a UK-registered truck I photographed at Mosney Show, Co. Meath a few years ago (pic wont upload).

Abelloid

Eric318 wrote:

Thanks folks.

Ah yes, I am in Dublin County. The reason why I want as few characters as possible is because I would like to use US style plates on the Jag, cause its an ex-California car. 6 or 7 characters could fit though. But the hyphens, hmmm...

That's exactly why I went for a year plate

Eric318

Thanks for your views folks.

Silvera wrote:

.....though technically speaking US-style plates are for 'show use only' and normal sized plates should be displayed when in use on public roads, like a UK-registered truck I photographed at Mosney Show, Co. Meath a few years ago (pic wont upload).

At the moment I figure that if I go for ZV plates I may be able to squeeze the use of US format plates also and get away with it... Technically I would probably not be quite legal but it could be worth a try. In case I get asked by the Gardi, I could always try my French accent "eskiouze me offisser, frenchman viziting, no understand ze roules, plize... "

The thing is that there is just no room to properply fit a normal size plate on the front bumper... Well if you really twisted my arm I could do this:

Abelloid

My last beetle also had US size plates and I drove daily for 6 years without ever any mention of it (stopped for speeding and tax, but never plates )

Eric318

Thanks Justin, that is what I figured, there is some common sense out there in the brain of law enforcers...

I wonder if I could get away with a US style 75- plate with no hyphens.

Sorry for the ranting guys, if you cant bear me anylonger, just kindly ignore me

Silvera

JustinOval wrote:

My last beetle also had US size plates and I drove daily for 6 years without ever any mention of it (stopped for speeding and tax, but never plates )

Your plates were the correct colour (i.e. silver-on-black) and only had 4-digits (nice reg actually!) so would not have drawn much attention to their smaller-than-standard size.

Whereas US-style plates with different colours (e.g. California colours, etc) would really stand out.

Having said that, most Gardai would probably ignore the plates on a classic - provided you had everything else in order.

Wishbone Ash

Does anyone know if the ZV registration was used with a prefix letter (e.g. AZV, BZV etc.) prior to being allocated to classic vehicles?

The reason I ask is that I saw a Hino tipper in Lusk, Co Dublin, today with a HZV *** registration. It's quite unusual to see a working truck with a pre 1987 registration.

PanhardPL

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Does anyone know if the ZV registration was used with a prefix letter (e.g. AZV, BZV etc.) prior to being allocated to classic vehicles?

The reason I ask is that I saw a Hino tipper in Lusk, Co Dublin, today with a HZV *** registration. It's quite unusual to see a working truck with a pre 1987 registration.

Just for the record AZV was introduced on the 3/85 and went right through to the 1/86 to YZV

Wishbone Ash

PanhardPL wrote:

Just for the record AZV was introduced on the 3/85 and went right through to the 1/86 to YZV

Thanks for that Panhard. So my eyes were not deceiving me. A 20 year old working tipper!