No doubt the answer is simple, but I was wondering why restored military vehicles often display two totally different registration plates. This was something I hadn't noticed until I came across photographs of restored post-war RAF vehicles exhibited at various Classic Vehicle shows around the UK.

One is the old military plate issued to the vehicle, the other is the registration given by DVLA on release from service to drive on the roads with tax payed once registered with them.

Many thanks for that ... just as I thought, but needed to confirm.
Presumably, without the DVLA-valid plates, the vehicle would have to be carried to a show on a transporter or suitable trailer.

Paul

Exactly, which is why most private owners of MBTs leave them on military serials.

I have seen examples of civilian plates with six characters where the spacing has been rearranged from 3-3 to look like the 2-2-2 format of ERMs but that is, as I understand it, illegal and renders you prone to being stopped by Plod.

H.P.