Become a Number Plate Supplier
What the law requires, what you need to start, and the two routes into the trade.
You must be on the register
Selling number plates to the public in Great Britain without being on the DVLA's Register of Number Plate Suppliers is an offence. Every premises supplying number plates must be registered with the DVLA. Your main place of business is registered using form V940, with additional outlets registered using V940/1. This is the first step, not a formality to sort out later.
Getting registered
Complete form V940
The application to register as a number plate supplier. One per premises. Download it from our DVLA forms page.
Pay the fee
Registration carries a one-off DVLA fee of £40 for each site you register, paid with the application form at gov.uk.
Set up your records
You must record every plate supplied and keep it for three years, available for inspection. Software makes this manageable, paper rarely does.
Display your registration
Your RNPS registration number must be shown at your registered premises.
What you are signing up to
None of this is difficult. All of it is checked, and getting it wrong is expensive.
Check entitlement
Before making a plate you must see proof of the customer's identity and proof of their entitlement to the registration mark. INF195/2 lists the accepted documents.
Keep records for three years
Registration mark, date of supply, purchaser name and address, and the documents you checked. Available for inspection on request.
Supply compliant plates only
Every plate must meet BS AU 145e. That covers characters, materials, flags, borders and the supplier details printed on the plate.
Register every premises
Each site that supplies plates registers separately. A second branch is a second registration.
Understand the penalties
Supplying without registration or failing to keep records carries a fine of up to £5,000. Removal from the register ends the business line entirely.
Stay current
The standard changed in 2021 and will change again. Our Legislation Watch briefings exist so you are not the last to know.
Two routes, and they are not equal
Which one suits you comes down to volume. We supply both and will give you a straight answer on which fits.
| Produce in house | Buy ready made | |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | System, software, acrylics, reflectives, fixings | Finished plates, made to order |
| Upfront cost | Equipment and initial stock | None |
| Cost per plate | Lower at volume | Fixed, no wastage |
| Speed to customer | Immediate, while they wait | Despatched same day |
| Record keeping | Handled by Print Plate software | Still your obligation as the seller |
| Suits | Regular volume, walk-in trade, factors | Lower or irregular volume, dealers, online sellers |
| Break-even point | Around 20 to 25 pairs of plates a month, if you produce them yourself. Your regional manager will work it out against your actual numbers. | |
Starting out in the plate trade?
Call 01252 749808. We would rather spend twenty minutes helping you get it right than sell you the wrong thing.