New Class of Number Plates and Who Ownes Vehicle Registration Number Plates

The request was successful.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please assist, I require answers to the following questions :-

1. I read that the Transport Minister owns ALL registration numbers issued in the UK, a, is this true? and b, why?

2. Out of curiosity who has in the Past decided the different class's of number plates issued by DVLA?

3. Who would NOW decide on any new kind of number plate issued by DVLA?

4. How is the decision made to make a new class of number plate to be issued by DVLA?

5. What is the process made on how to change and make a new class of number plate in the UK?

Many thanks in advance DVLA for your help, kind regards,

AB

FOI FOI, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Dear Mr Paffvett,

The DVLA is responding to your as routine business and not via the terms of The Freedom of Information Act 2000.

We can confirm that registration numbers are the property of the Secretary of State, and are assigned to vehicles so that they can be uniquely identified for law enforcement, road safety and revenue collection purposes. Furthermore, the law allows the Secretary of State, acting through the DVLA, to withdraw a registration number at any time where it is considered necessary to do so, for example where a registration number is being misused or misrepresented by a vehicle keeper.

With regards to your further questions, it might be helpful if I explain that prior to 1974 registration and licensing was a function of the Local Authorities through their Local Taxation Offices. Since 1974, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (DVLC), as the DVLA was known then, began registering and licensing all new vehicles. At this time used vehicles being registered in GB for the first time received a current year registration number. In 1983 due to confusion about the vehicle age it was decided that, where the age was known, an appropriate age-related registration number would instead be allocated to these vehicles.

The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 set out the current specification to which all number plates must conform, including the size of and spacing of characters. In addition, the requirements for the construction, colour and other qualities for number plates are contained in the British Standard specification for retroreflecting number plates (BS AU 145d).

Prior to the introduction of the current registration format, the Department for Transport carried out a consultation which specifically referred to the possibility of introducing a different number plate format. In reaching the decision on the new format, account had to be taken of the need for a system that would best fit the Department’s objectives, as well as allowing for the continuation of vehicle sales and selecting a format that would give a sufficiently long cycle.

Apart from the general and motoring public, the Department took into account the views of others, including the police and the motor industry. The current format was the preferred option as it retains the size and readability of the previous formats while improving its memorability by the use of geographical indicators. This is a view supported by the police who have experience of interviewing witnesses whose recall of the registration mark is often vital to solving vehicle and other serious crime.

Any proposals to change the format of number plates or introduce a new type of numberplate would be for the DVLA to consider in the first instance. If proposals are to be taken forward, appropriate consultation will need to be undertaken and also require the approval of cross-Departmental Ministers as any change could likely impact on a number of different Government Departments. I should explain, however, that as the current format for registration numbers will not be exhausted for many years there are no plans to review this in the near future. It is also worth noting that the numberplate itself is not intended to provide information about an individual driver but is solely to ensure that a vehicle is registered and to help enforcement agencies in identifying who the registered keeper of that vehicle might be.

Yours sincerely,

David A Morgan
Freedom of Information Team
Data Sharing & Protection Group | Strategy, Policy and Communications Group | D16 | DVLA | Swansea | SA6 7JL
Twitter: @dvlagovuk

Vehicle tax or SORN can’t be passed on when a vehicle changes hands.
Ni all treth cerbyd na HOS gael eu trosglwyddo pan fydd cerbyd yn newid dwylo.
Find out more at/Cael gwybod mwy ar: www.gov.uk/vehicletaxrules

show quoted sections