Funny Tradesman Number Plates – A Lighthearted Look 

It’s not all testing, regs and NVQs in the life of a tradesperson. Sometimes the little things on the way to site can bring a smile. One of our team spotted a plasterer’s van this week with a p ersonalised number plate that raised a laugh, which got us thinking: how many funny trade-related plates are out there? 

The answer: more than you’d expect. While not every plate makes sense at first glance, once you spot the wordplay, it’s hard not to grin. 

Electrical plates 

Sparky-themed plates are surprisingly rare. A few exist — often snapped up quickly by keen collectors — but you don’t see as many on the road compared to plumbing or drainage vans. Still, for electricians wanting to stand out, a plate that plays on “amps” or “volts” could be a good shout. 

If you’re just starting your training journey, it might be a bit early to s plash out on a plate. First stop is getting the right qualifications in place. For beginners, the C&G 2365 Level 2 Diploma is the standard entry point before moving on to more advanced study. 

Drain services 

Perhaps it’s the nature of the work, but drain companies seem to lead the way in humour. From cheeky puns to clever abbreviations, their plates are often designed to stick in customers’ minds. It’s a clever bit of free advertising as well as a morale boost on a grey Monday morning. 

Plumbers 

Plumbers seem to have more word options to play with than most. Pimlico Plumbers in particular have invested in dozens of memorable plates for their fleet. It’s a sign that branding doesn’t always need to be serious; sometimes fun works just as well. 

And for those electricians thinking about self-employment, marketing ideas like this matter just as much as technical skill. If you’re aiming for full qualified status, the Step-by-Step Guide to the ECS Gold Card explains how completing your NVQ Level 3 and AM2 gets you recognised properly before you even think about custom plates. 

Pest control and beyond 

Some of the funniest plates we found came from pest control firms. References to bugs, traps, and creatures with bulging eyes seem to work perfectly on a short plate. It’s a reminder that tradespeople across the board enjoy showing a bit of personality. 

Of course, sparks can hold their own in other ways. At Electrician Courses Shrewsbury and Electrician Courses Hereford, learners often swap jokes, stories and light-hearted competition alongside their training. The classroom banter is part of what makes a practical trade career different to the academic route. 

A few random finds 

Outside of the core trades, you’ll see everything from cheeky mechanics’ plates to decorators’ vans with colourful wordplay. While some are too rude to print here, there’s no shortage of imagination. 

If you’re considering buying a plate yourself, there are plenty of websites to choose from. Just be prepared to pay a premium if someone else has already spotted the best “spark” combinations. 

Funny plates aren’t just a gimmick. They reflect the personality of the trades and make the industry more approachable to customers. Whether you’re laughing at a plumber’s pun or thinking about your own “volts”-themed tag, they’re a reminder that the building services world doesn’t always have to take itself too seriously. 

At Elec Training, we focus on the serious side — getting you qualified, safe and competent — but we also know that enjoying the trade makes the journey worthwhile. Explore Elec Training to see how you can progress through your own pathway and maybe one day put your name (or spark) on a number plate too. 

FAQ: Personalised “Sparky” Number Plates for Electricians in the UK 

1 – Do electricians really have personalised “sparky” number plates? Yes, electricians often opt for personalised plates like SPARKY or SP4 RKY to reflect their trade, with examples spotted on vans for branding. 

2 – Why do plumbers and drain companies seem to have the funniest plates? Plumbers and drain companies l everage puns on words like “BOG,” “LOO,” and “DRA1N” for humor, making their plates memorable; electricians have fewer wordplay options. 

3 – Are funny trade number plates just for laughs, or do they help with marketing? Funny plates are both entertaining and effective marketing, acting as mobile ads that boost brand recall and generate inquiries for businesses like Pimlico Plumbers. 

4 – What are some common themes for electrician plates — amps, volts, sparks? Common themes include “SP4RKY” for sparks, “V0LT5” for volts, and “AMP5” for amps, emphasizing electrical concepts. 

5 – Have big companies like Pimlico Plumbers really invested in personalised plates? Yes, Pimlico Plumbers invested over £1.5 million in 250+ plumbing-themed plates like “BOG1” and “DRA1N,” using them as a core marketing strategy. 

6 – Can apprentices or trainees get a trade-themed plate, or is it best left until qualified? Apprentices can get trade-themed plates, but it’s best waited until qualified to avoid misleading clients; trade plates are temporary for testing. 

7 – What’s the funniest tradesman number plate ever spotted on the road? “TE51 CLE” on a plumber’s van is often cited as the funniest, a pun on “testicle,” spotted in the UK and shared widely on social media. 

8 – Are pest control firms really leading the way with joke plates? Yes, pest control firms lead with puns like “BUG1” or “PE5T,” using humor for memorable branding, though drain companies like “WH0 SHYT” compete closely. 

9 – How expensive can personalised trade plates get? Personalised trade plates start at £25 + VAT + £80 transfer, but premium ones like “SP4RK1” can cost £1,000-£10,000, with auctions reaching £61,010. 

10 – Do customers actually remember tradesmen with funny number plates? Yes, funny plates boost recall by 20-30%, acting as mobile ads; customers request tradesmen by plate (e.g., Pimlico’s “BOG1”), enhancing marketing.