Car Number Plates – Legal Plates v Show Plates

All number plate suppliers in the UK have to be registered with the DVLA, if they supply number plates that show the number of a vehicle registered in the UK. If you only supply number plate components (such as letters) or you only supply number plates for new vehicles, then you do not need to register.

Car number plates that show a UK registration number must be in a format that is prescribed by the DVLA. It is a legal offence to supply incorrectly formatted numbers and number plate suppliers that break this rule are fined up to £2,500 per offence and can be removed from the register. These incorrectly formatted number plates are commonly known as show plates, cannot be supplied with a UK registration number on them.

One of the reasons behind this change is the rise of the speed camera. Speed cameras rely upon the size, font and spacing of number plate letters, and the contrast with the plain background in order to read the number plate properly. Whilst as a driver, this might not be welcomed by all, it is also an offence to display show plates on your car whilst on public roads. As with suppliers, those who display show plates whilst on the road are liable for a substantial fine.

Car number plate suppliers are obliged to keep records of each registration plate sold, the name and address of the customer, a traceable unique number taken from original documents such as the V5C (log book). Records have to be kept for three years. These requirements only apply though where a car number plate is being supplied for a UK registration number, and not for show plates which can be supplied without a legal obligation to keep records.

The regulations do not only apply to car number plates. Motorbike number plates are also included if they are UK registered. The rules do not apply to foreign number plates.