What Do You Need to Get Number Plates Made Up?

When you buy a new car, you’ll need to get number plates made up. The same applies if your plates are damaged or you buy a personalised registration. You’ll need to provide several documents to prove your identity and entitlement to the registration number. At Reg Plates, we are a DVLA registered number plate supplier, so you can rest assured that all plates meet legal requirements.

Documents Required

You’ll need to bring the following documentation with you when you go to buy your new number plates:

  • Proof of Identity: You can use your driving licence or passport. Utility bills and bank statements are not acceptable forms of identification.
  • Proof of Entitlement: This proves you have the right to display the registration number. You can use your:
    • Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C), also known as the logbook.
    • New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) – this can be used if you have just bought the car and haven’t received the V5C yet.
  • Number Plate Authorisation Certificate (V948): You may need to provide this if you don’t have a V5C, or you are using a temporary registration certificate.
  • Document Reference Number: You’ll find this number on your V5C or V5C/2.

What Information Does a Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C) Contain?

The V5C, or vehicle registration certificate, is an official DVLA document that confirms a vehicle’s registered keeper. Here’s what it includes:

  • Vehicle Details: Information like make, model, colour, engine size, fuel type, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), registration date, and CO₂ emissions.
  • Registered Keeper: Name and address of the registered keeper and previous keepers.
  • Tax Class and Status: Vehicle tax band and tax expiry date.
  • Modifications and Export Notes: Details for any changes to the vehicle or for export.

The V5C is essential for proving ownership, selling the vehicle, or making updates with the DVLA.

Why You Need to Provide Documentation

The DVLA has introduced these requirements to prevent the production of illegal number plates. Illegal number plates are often used by criminals to disguise their vehicles. By requiring buyers to provide documentation, the DVLA can help to ensure that only legitimate number plates are produced.

Buying Physical Plates

Physical number plates are a legal requirement and must adhere to specific standards, including size, font, and reflective properties, to ensure visibility and compliance with UK road laws. These plates display your assigned registration number and must be purchased from a DVLA-registered supplier, like Reg Plates, to guarantee legality and quality. We provide fully compliant, high-quality number plates that meet all DVLA standards for UK roads.

Buying Personalised Plates

Personalised registrations, on the other hand, offer a way to add a touch of individuality to your vehicle. You can choose a combination of letters and numbers that holds personal significance, spells out a name or word, or simply looks appealing. Acquiring a personalised registration involves a separate process in which our team can help guide you through the process of personalising your desired number plate.

Legal Requirements for Customising Number Plates in the UK

While there are options for personalising number plates in the UK, it’s crucial to stay within the boundaries of the law, such as:

  • Approved Fonts and Sizes: You are limited to specific font styles and sizes that comply with UK regulations. These regulations are in place to ensure that number plates are legible and easily read by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
  • Officially Stamped Plates: All number plates must be officially stamped, displaying the manufacturer’s name and postcode. This stamp verifies that the plates have been produced by a DVLA-registered supplier and meet the required standards.
  • Reflective Material: Number plates must be made from a reflective material for visibility, particularly at night. This helps other drivers and pedestrians see your vehicle more clearly in low-light conditions.
  • Character Spacing and Layout: You cannot squeeze characters together or alter the standard layout of the registration number on the plate. The characters must be correctly spaced and arranged according to the legal format.
  • Avoid Misrepresenting Vehicle Age: The sources explicitly state that you cannot use a personalised registration to make your car appear newer than it actually is. This means you cannot assign a registration with a newer year identifier to an older vehicle.

Additional Customisation Options

  • Green Stripe for Electric Vehicles: You can add a green stripe to your number plate if you drive an electric vehicle (EV). This is a way to visually identify EVs and promote their environmental benefits.
  • National Flags: You can also include national flags on your number plates, as long as they adhere to the permitted designs and placement guidelines.
  • Bespoke Plates for Unique Vehicles: You can opt for bespoke plates that are tailored in size and shape to fit the unique plate styles found on certain vehicles. This ensures that the plates integrate seamlessly with the vehicle’s design.

Understanding the Retention Certificate

A Retention Certificate (V750 or V778) allows you to hold a personalised registration without assigning it to a vehicle right away. It’s perfect if you’ve found a meaningful plate but aren’t ready to put it on a vehicle yet. The certificate is valid for up to 10 years, giving you peace of mind that your registration is secured until you’re ready to use it.

Assigning the Registration from a Retention Certificate

When you’re ready to use your retained registration, we handle the DVLA transfer process, ensuring a smooth and legal assignment to your vehicle. A Retention Certificate provides flexibility, letting you secure and protect your personalised registration until you’re ready to display it on a vehicle.

What Documents are Needed when Transferring a Personalised Registration to a Vehicle?

To transfer a personalised registration to a vehicle in the UK, you’ll need the following documents:

  • Registration Certificate (V5C): This document, also known as the logbook, is essential as it’s used to assign the personalised registration to your vehicle.
  • Valid MOT Certificate: Your vehicle must have a current MOT certificate if it’s required for its age.
  • Vehicle Tax: The vehicle needs to be taxed or have a valid Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) in place.

The V5C is essential for proving ownership, selling the vehicle, or making updates with the DVLA.

We have been buying and selling private number plates since 1991 and have grown into one of the industry’s leading number plate suppliers.

Need help finding a new licence plate? Don’t hesitate to contact us!