'Unlucky 13' Prompts Car Licence Plate Change

Fears over superstition have prompted the government to bring in a new car licensing system from next year, the Irish Independent has reported.

Car dealers are worried that a '13' registration number would cause a dip in car sales.

Cars registered between January and the end of June will have a '131' registration. Those from July 1 to the end of the year will have '132' on the plate.

Figures from the motor industry hope the move will spread sales more evenly across the year, by creating demand for the plate from the half of the plate and giving a more accurate representation of when the car was manufactured.

A bi-annual system is used in Britain.

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry has been consulting with the government on the move.

Director general Alan Nolan said that although the current system, which lists the age and place of registration of the car, provides "quick visual recognition", it is believed that consumers - and the motor industry - will gain under the bi-annual plate system.

A government spokesman confirmed that the Department of Finance was actively considering the proposed change as part of a consultation process with the motor industry.

But the spokesman declined to comment because this is an issue that may arise in December's Budget.

The Revenue Commissioners also declined to comment.

(NE)