ACRYLIC NUMBER PLATES

Acrylic number plates are the actual number plates fixed to your vehicle. Acrylic is the true description of the material they are made from to comply with British Safety standards.

The Law regarding the supply of acrylic number plates in England and Wales

In order for a set of acrylic numberplates to be made for you in Wales or England you now have to prove your legal entitlement to them and provide a visual identification check at the point of sale.The regulations regarding the supply of an acrylic number plate arise from the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001.

In September 1998, the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team [VCRAT] was established by the Home Office to develop and implement a strategy to meet the Government target to reduce vehicle crime by 30% by 2004. VCRAT recommended the introduction of a statutory registration scheme to control the supply of acrylic number plates. This scheme is designed to make it more difficult for thieves who put fake number plates on stolen vehicles to make them appear legitimate. It will be more difficult for criminals to get acrylic number plates because they will need to provide proof that they are entitled to them.

The regulations regarding the supply of acrylic number plates in England and Wales came into force on the 1st January 2003. From that date all number plate suppliers in England and Wales are required by law to register their details with DVLA. From that date a business will be unable to trade as a supplier unless it is registered.

 


What documents will I need to take to my acrylic number plates supplier?

The acceptable documents for verification of personal details should be:

  1. A current photocard driving licence (preferred); or

  2. Bank/Building Society statement or a recent utility bill with one of the following:-

    • Current paper driving licence

    • Passport

    • Credit/debit card with photograph

    • Travel pass card with photograph

    • Foreign national identity card

    AND ...

The acceptable proof of entitlement should be:

  • Registration Document [V5] preferred (this includes V5/2). or

  • Certificate of entitlement to a mark [V750], or

  • Cherished transfer retention document [V778], or

  • Vehicle Licence Renewal [V11], or

  • Authorisation slip [V948] from DVLA local office with official DVLA stamp. This will apply when DVLA authorises a customer to buy plates bearing a particular registration mark, e.g. in the case of a cherished transfer, or

  • An extract from the schedule of vehicles supplied by a hire/leasing company, or

  • A letter of authority from Fleet Operators on company headed note paper with contact details stating that the company holds the Registration Document [V5] and quoting either the document reference number or the vehicle identification number, or

  • Certificate of Vehicle Registration / temporary export certificate [V379].

It is expected that Scotland and Northern Irish acrylic number plate suppliers will have to comply with similar laws in the very near future.


What different types of acrylic number plate can I buy?

Apart from plain white or yellow numberplates you are also allowed to have the following emblems and wording positioned to the left hand side of your number plates:-

WELSH FLAG with 'CYM'            SCOTTISH FLAG with 'SCO'   

UNION JACK with 'GB'                ST  GEORGE CROSS with 'ENG'
     
EUROSTARS SYMBOL with 'GB'- with this symbol no other GB sticker is needed on your vehicle when you travel to  continental Europe

Can I legally order acrylic number plates online or by mail order?

It is not illegal to order an acrylic number plate in this way but it would be illegal for a supplier in England or Wales to supply you, without visually checking your personal identification and legal entitlement to the number plates you are ordering.
You must ask yourself whether it is wise to trust any firm with your personal details, who is prepared to break the law, or if it would be safer to go elsewhere.


VRM Swansea coordinates the entire transfer of your personalised registration with DVLA * Swansea and local DVLA * Local Offices in the United Kingdom & Northern Ireland when you opt for our Full Transfer or Sale Service. Our expert team will provide you with instruction and telephone support if you choose our less expensive DIY Transfer Service. An online 'Purchase Offer' supported by suitable payment card takes priority over any other enquiry. VRM Swansea sell number plates owned by clients, government stock and our own stock on a 'first come, first served basis'. All registrations offered for sale are subject to availability and payment is taken only once availability and price are confirmed**. Our systems record telephone conversations and the date and time of all communication. We shall debit your payment card if your offer is accepted and provide confirmation either way**. Under the distance selling regulations we must inform you that our service begins immediately upon payment being taken, that no cooling off period or refunds are given and you will not be able to change your mind. Your instructions will be acted upon immediately and the assignment /transfer process started to ensure your choice is not sold by us to anyone else. This is a Government process which the Government will not cancel or change once they receive our instructions. Please be absolutely sure about your selected number plate before placing your order.

**In the case of pre-release new-issue offers we will take payment prior to the registration mark series release date in order to confirm your desire to proceed and ensure we do not offer the registration mark you have chosen to anyone else.If for any reason your offer is not accepted by the Secretary of State for Transport on the release date, then you will receive a full refund by the payment method you have used to make your offer. The Secretary of State's decision to accept or reject your offer is final and we cannot be held responsible for it, in any way. If your offer is rejected then you may choose another registration subject to sufficient funds being pre-lodged with us.

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