Drivers may be able to opt out of 13 number plates Britain is a more superstitious country than might be expected. According to one survey, 74 per cent of people touch wood for good luck, while another 65 per cent cross their fingers. Even 25 per cent of people who claimed to have a scientific background admitted that they too were superstitious. A variety of ideas have been discussed. One option was to allow worried motorists to get a 62 plate. This was ruled out by the DVLA because of the difficulties it would cause their computer systems. It was also felt that drivers would be reluctant to lose about £500 on the trade-in value of the car when they came to sell it after a few years. "Some people may find they are less superstitious than they realised when they realise they will be taking a substantial financial hit," said one motor industry source. However two other options are likely to be offered to motorists for whom a lucky rabbit's foot hanging from the rear-view mirror is not enough to ward off evil spirits. One is to allow them to transfer the number plate from their old car, for a fee of £80. An alternative is to offer motorists the opportunity to buy a personalised "cherished" number, which is available from the DVLA from as little as £200. "They might decide that 13 is OK if the colour was considered to bring good fortune," said Dr Janet Goodall, a research fellow in education at Warwick University who has written on superstition. If I was a car manufacturer I would be painting cars colours which are considered to be lucky. Edmund King, the AA's president, was slightly dismissive of superstitious motorists. I would love an Aston Martin DB9 with 13 on it - I guess I would be very lucky to get one rather than unlucky.