Number Plate Press Releases

Change In The Law

December 2002

Did you know that it is probably easier to enter the United Kingdom as a foreign national than it is to buy a set of number plates for your car? Sounds ridiculous doesn't it?

New Department of Transport regulations in force from January 1st 2003 require all number plate suppliers in England and Wales, by Law, to register their details with DVLA in order to trade. The Official explanation for introduction of the register is that it should make it more difficult for thieves to buy false numbers plates to put onto stolen vehicles. Mr Criminal will be thwarted because, in order to purchase a set of number plates (or indeed, a single number plate) he will need to show a) that he is entitled to purchase a number plate showing the given registration mark (by providing a V5 registration document or proof of cherished transfer) and b) proof of his own identity. Verification of the latter is obtained by Mr Criminal supplying his passport, driving licence, bank statement, recent utility bill and other, often highly-personal documents.

Not surprisingly, many people are reluctant to send sensitive documents through the post but photocopies are not acceptable. Some have even complained that they believe their personal documents are being used to generate false ID in order to facilitate the entry of illegal immigrants into the Country. However, the fact remains that if you want to order a set of numbers plates by telephone or on-line you simply have to trust your identification documents to the Royal Mail!

What about the poor number plate suppliers? They now have to request the required identification documents, argue with customers about why they need them, answer 101 questions about what is and is not acceptable proof, handle thousands of pieces of documentation that is in all other respects absolutely nothing to do with their business, photocopy it, store it (for at least 3 years) and ensure its safe return to their customer.

Bemusingly, the new regulations do not affect other parts of the UK. So if "Jolly Nice Number Plates" of Hereford has had enough of all this bureaucratic nonsense, they can always shut up shop and re-open in Edinburgh or Belfast. Why is that?

So spare a thought for the poor old number plate supplier; don't give him too much hassle when he asks for all your intimate pieces identification. He's just doing his job - as an unpaid (as usual) private detective for the Government!