21 September 2001

GOING, GOING, GONE

The latest auction of attractive vehicle registration marks has raised over £300,000 for the Exchequer this week. One registration number raised more than £7000 at Wilson’s Auctions.

Brendan Magee, Chief Executive of DVLNI welcomed the results:

"Since we began selling attractive registration marks 5 years ago, over £7,000,000 has been raised for the Exchequer. This latest auction is our best since 1998 and indicates that there is a healthy demand for Northern Ireland registration marks. Adding VAT, it brings the total receipts this week to over £300,000."

Top prices at Wilson's this week included:

£7,800 for JCZ 1;

£4,200 for ICZ 1; and

£3,700 for LUI 61.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) was launched as an Executive Agency of the DOE in 1993.
2. The Agency is responsible for licensing drivers, the registration and licensing of vehicles, and the collection and enforcement of vehicle duty (motor tax).
3. The Agency employs 380 staff and operates from its headquarters at County Hall, Coleraine and from nine offices throughout Northern Ireland.
4. The mission of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland is: to contribute to better government by maintaining a comprehensive record of drivers and vehicles in Northern Ireland, utilising this for the benefit of the public and ensuring delivery of best value licensing, registration and revenue collection services.
5. Wilson's undertake 4 public auctions and 4 sales by tender annually on behalf of DVLNI. Details are available from Wilson's on 028 9096 9007.
6. Further information Paddy Murphy DOE Press Office tel 028 9054 0003.