Legislation

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ FULLY LEGISLATION AND BRITISH STANDARD

Introduced on 1st September 2001

DIGIT STYLE

The new digit must be the same height and thickness as at present. However, it should be 50mm wide instead of 57mm.

FONT LAYOUT

The new layout must consist of 2 letters (area code 2 numbers (month and year) - GAP - 3 random letters.

COMPANY ARTWORK, LOGOS ETC

All number plates must show the suppliers name and postcode. It must be displayed in the centre, at the bottom of the plate and must not exceed 178mm total length and have a maximum height of 13mm. No other advertising is allowed, though a single coachline, not exceeding 6mm thick is permitted.

EURO LOGO

The Euro logo/flag is allowed, though it must be retro reflective - not printed on - as at present.

BRITISH STANDARD MARK

The British standard reference BSAU145d must be in the bottom right hand corner, with the manufacturer's trade mark (eg BSAU145d).

RECORD KEEPING

You are required to keep records of all number plates you make. If you make plates using a manual system, you must record the details manually. If it is for a dealer, then his name, registration number, date, must be recorded. If it is for a retail purchaser, then you must record the registration number, date, full name, full address, including post code, proof of identity, proof of ownership and staff name. These records must be kept for a minimum of two years.

COMPONENTS

The new British Standard requires the following:-

Acrylic
A new toughened acrylic has been introduced with a stronger impact. Due to the process involved in the manufacture, this acrylic absorbs more light.

Reflective
This has improved reflectivity due to the extra light absorption of the acrylic.

Digits and Printer Ribbon
These have been tested in conjunction with the acrylic and reflective to meet this new standard.

The standard will require weathering tests and tests for delamination.

IMPORTANT NEW LEGISLATION

REGARDING NUMBER PLATE SUPPLIERS

From 1st January 2003 ALL companies supplying number plates must be registered.

The definition of 'supply' means if you make number plates yourself or buy them in ready-made and supply them on to an end user, then you must register. So, if you are a motor factor and you supply trade customers with plates and they fit them to their customer's vehicles, then you, the motor factor and all of your customers who purchase plates from you with their own details on must register. If you are a crash repairer, MOT station, accessory shop, etc, you must register.

You can register and obtain a form by:-

requesting a form from the DVLA web site at: www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/rnps.htm
register by credit or debit card on 0870 600 1016
telephoning DVLA on 08702 406424
The registration fee is a once and for all payment of £40.

IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED BY JANUARY 2003, YOU ARE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE IF YOU SUPPLY NUMBER PLATES. IT IS ALSO AN OFFENCE FOR A REGISTERED SUPPLIER TO SUPPLY PLATES TO AN UNREGISTERED BUSINESS.

Record Keeping

Records of all transactions must be kept for a period of 3 years. The Police, or persons appointed by local authorities, may enter registered premises at any time to inspect number plates to confirm they meet the current British Standard, or to inspect or take copies of records. Plates or components may be taken away for testing.

Records may be kept electronically (computer based), or on hard copy (paper records).

If records are kept electronically, then the dealer/supplier must register with the Office of the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act and pay an annual registration fee of £35. If paper records are kept, then the dealer/supplier will still be expected to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, but will not be required to register or pay the fee.

To contact the Office of the Information Commissioner:-

Telephone: 01625 545740,
visit their web site at: www.dpr.gov.uk
The above legislation applies only to ENGLAND and WALES.

Recorded Information

1. The information to be recorded should be:

1. Vehicle registration mark of plate to be sold
2. Customer name
3. Customer address
4. Method of purchase (in person, telephone, internet, mail)
5. A traceable number taken from documents presented to the supplier.

These should be

1. a driver number
2. A document reference number taken from section D of V5
3. In the case of plates fitted to a vehicle referred to a body repairer by an insurer, the insurers reference and policy number. This is in addition to the ducuments confirming the customers name and address.

2. One example of an identity document and one example of an entitlement document should be provided. The preferred documents are a current photocard driving licence and a V5 and the supplier should accept alternatives only if these are unavailable. The type of document provided should be indicated on the form.

3. The acceptable identity documents should be:

1. Current photocard driving licence (preferred)
2. Bank /building society statement or a recent utility bill (e.g. gas bill)
3. Current paper driving licence
4. Passport
5. Credit/debit card
6. Foreign national identity card
7. A police warrant card
8. An armed forces identity card

4. The acceptable proof of entitlement should be:

1. V5 (preferred)
2. V750 (certificate of entitlement to a mark)
3. V778 (cherished transfer retention document)
4. V11 (vehicle re-licensing reminder)
5. Authorisation slip from DVLA local office with official DVLA stamp (V948).
6. Copy of the schedule of vehicles supplied by a hire/leasing company under the hire contract agreement together with a letter of authority on company headed notepaper.
7. Vehicle Registration certificate (V379).
8. A letter of authorisation from a fleet operator (including a lease/hire company). The Letter must quote the document reference number from the V5C.
   
   

Used Vehicle Dealers

If a new number plate is fitted to a used vehicle prior to its sale, the used car dealer must be registered and will need to keep sales records showing proof of entitlement. The dealer will have the registration certificate (V5C) as proof of entitlement and must record the 11-digit reference number. This only applies to refitting plates to used vehicle stock, not selling replacement plates where the personal identity will still need to be seen and recorded.

General Points

The purchaser of a plate does not have to be the registered keeper of the vehicle. It is possible for someone to purchase a number plate on behalf of someone else.

Manufacturers or suppliers who supply components or complete plates to other suppliers to sell on, need to satisfy themselves that the business they are supplying is registered and their supplier identification number should be recorded against each sale. Thus the onus is on the last supplier in the supply chain to carry out the required verification of personal details and entitlement checks on a purchaser and to keep records of the sale.