Or oddie and evenie neighbors will trade plates as necessary.
During the 70’s my Dad’s job involved driving hundreds of miles per day. After the first gas shortage, when he bought a new car, he still kept his old car. The new car, and Mom’s car had even numbered plates, the old car had an odd numbered plate. He made darn sure all three cars had at least 3/4 of a full tank, at the end of each day, too.