The register of number plate suppliers
- Who does it affect?
- Who does not have to register?
- How to apply to register as a number plate supplier
- Sales records
- Enforcement
- Warning
The object of the scheme is to ensure that number plates are only sold to purchasers who can establish a connection with the vehicle for which the plates are intended and can verify their own details. This is achieved by producing documents such as the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) and the photocard driving licence. Number plate suppliers are required to keep records of sales and make them available for inspection by the police and representatives of the Secretary of State.
This is an important source of information for the investigation of vehicle crime. These measures introduce some control over the supply of number plates and represent an essential component of the Government’s vehicle crime reduction strategy.
- Register of number plate suppliers
[This information is held on and external site.]
Who does it affect?
A number plate supplier is someone whose business consists wholly or partly in supplying number plates i.e. finished plates that include the registration mark of a vehicle registered with DVLA. Manufacturers, distributors, assemblers, motor factors, motor dealers and retail outlets including on-line retailers could fall within the scope of the scheme provided that they supply the finished product.
Who does not have to register?
- suppliers who only supply plates for newly registered vehicles for the first time in the UK
- manufacturers of number plate components who do not sell complete plates are outside the scope of the legislation
- people who manufacture plates solely for their own use, rather than for sale, are not within the scope of the legislation eg A fleet operator who assembles plates and fits them to his fleet. As he does not sell the plates, he is not a supplier for the purposes of the legislation. However, as an extra statutory concession, fleet operators that are members of DVLAs fleet re-licensing scheme are permitted to register if they so wish. These are companies with fleets of 50 vehicles or more who would have logistical difficulties in providing the necessary documentary evidence to buy plates
- please note that a motor trader who fits new plates to used vehicles to sell on is not exempted because the plates are supplied along with the vehicle, but personal identification is not required from the purchaser
How to apply to register as a number plate supplier
For information on what you need to do and the application forms needed to register, please see How to register as a number plate supplier.
Sales records
The scheme requires businesses to provide records of sales to assist the police and persons appointed by the local authority in the detection of crime. For further information, please see Registered number plate supplier - sales records.
Enforcement
The Register of Number Plate Suppliers was introduced in January 2003. From that date all number plate suppliers in England and Wales were required to register with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). It is an offence for manufacturers to provide numberplates or materials to suppliers in the UK who are not listed on the Register unless they are exempt.
Road Safety Act 2006 has provided for the scheme to be extended to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
From 1 November 2008 it will be an offence to supply numberplates that do not comply with the law. It is already an offence for motorists to display non-compliant plates on their vehicles but until now had not been an offence to supply them. Some suppliers already advise their customers that non-compliant plates cannot be used on the road and are for display purposes only. From 1st November irrespective of any advice provided by suppliers it will be an offence to supply non-complaint plates with a maximum penalty of £2,500 and/or suspension from the register of numberplates suppliers for up to 5 years. This offence will apply throughout the United Kingdom.
The Road Safety Act 2006 also gives DVLA enforcement powers. Representatives of the Secretary of State are now able to enter premises, seize records and prosecute number plate suppliers who do not comply with the legislation regarding the supply of number plates.
DVLA has a team of inspectors who visit suppliers’ premises. They are always pleased to answer questions and offer advice about the scheme and the legislation surrounding it. If they believe offences under the Act have been committed a prosecution might follow.
In the event of a conviction, a Magistrates’ Court may either fine/suspend (or both) a supplier if they fail to comply with the requirements of the scheme. The court has the power to suspend a supplier from the register for up to five years.
- Information Brief for Enforcement Authorities (INF 195/1)
(PDF) - Display of registration Marks for Motor Vehicles (OOJ/6/138)
- Registration of Number Plate Suppliers (INF136/2)
- Theft Resistant Plates on Direct.Gov and Criteria for Theft Resistant Number Plates (OOJ/6/036)
Warning
Any unauthorised use of the DVLA name or marks (except where correctly describing or identifying services provided by DVLA) could constitute an offence, and DVLA reserves its rights to take legal action against any such infringements without further notice.
Page last updated: 29/07/2008