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Autoexpress highlight best and worst practice in supplying number plates

16 July 2019

In a broader article about number plate crime, Autoexpress recently showed how number plates should (and should not) be supplied.

WHY DOES IT MATTER THAT OUTLETS ONLY SUPPLY LEGITIMATE PLATES?

The UK’s has one of the most extensive Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) infrastructures in the world, with around 8,000 cameras capturing between 25 and 35 million records a day (The Guardian). Number plates are therefore extremely important identity documents for road users. As such, legitimate, readable number plates are crucial for enforcers and motorists alike.

Legislators have recognised the importance of ANPR in the upcoming British Standard (BS AU 145e), which includes two new tests to ensure plates can be read by ANPR cameras.


SUPPORTING MOTOR TRADERS TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS

At the BNMA we aim to help motor traders and motorists alike understand the rules around number plates so we can keep the UK market secure and legitimate for all motorists. We are keen to share best practice and prevent reputational damage to this important industry.

Take a look at our Advice Centre for guidance on how number plates should be made-up and supplied. Our members aim to achieve the highest standards in number plate manufacturing and can provide further guidance on making compliant number plates if you need practical advice for your business. More information is available using the links below.


WHAT THE REGULATORS HAVE TO SAY:

The DVLA vs Auto Express:
“All number plate suppliers based in the UK must be registered with DVLA and must conduct checks before supplying number plates. It is an offence to not request the required documentation from the customer [or] keep a record of the transaction, or to supply a non-compliant number plate.”

In brief, suppliers must keep one record of the person’s ID and another of their entitlement to the plate.

Click below (and see page 5) to download a list of the documentation you must keep a record of.

OTHER NUMBER PLATE CRIME

Auto Express also states that other number plate offences such as missing plates, obscured plates or misspaced digits are occurring in the UK. Following our guidance and buying from a BNMA member prevents motor traders accidentally supplying a non-compliant plate.

Find out more

Take a look at:
• our Advice Centre
• the DVLA’s rules on supplying number plates: https://www.gov.uk/register-as-number-plate-supplier/dvla 
• the documents you must keep if you’re supplying plates to the public – see page 5 (also available as a download below): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/784676/inf1952-information-to-be-kept-by-registered-number-plate-suppliers.pdf 
• Autoexpress’ original article: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/107393/car-number-plate-scandal-how-easy-is-it-to-buy-an-illegal-plate