Plate legal & compliance information

1. Purpose of this information

This page explains the main UK requirements that apply to registration plates supplied by GOA Number Plates. It is intended to help customers understand the information and verification checks involved when ordering number plates from a registered number plate supplier.

This information is general guidance and does not replace legislation, DVLA guidance or any other official requirement that may apply to a particular vehicle or order.

2. Registered number plate supplier

GOA Number Plates is a registered number plate supplier. UK rules require businesses that make or supply vehicle registration plates to be registered with DVLA. Registered suppliers also have specific verification and record-keeping responsibilities.

Before a plate can be supplied, the supplier must see documents that establish the customer’s identity and address and show that the customer is entitled to use the registration number.

3. British Standard — BS AU 145e

For number plates fitted to vehicles from 1 September 2021, the applicable British Standard is BS AU 145e. The finished plate must meet the applicable requirements for construction, visibility, strength, reflectivity and required markings.

GOA Number Plates supplies plates intended to meet the applicable requirements when manufactured in the correct specification and used lawfully.

4. Required plate appearance

For standard UK vehicles, a front registration plate must display black characters on a white reflective background, and a rear registration plate must display black characters on a yellow reflective background. The plate must not use a background pattern that interferes with the required appearance.

For plates fitted to vehicles from 1 September 2021, the characters must be a single shade of black and must not be made reflective or removable.

5. 3D and 4D plates

Raised characters can be used where the complete finished plate meets the applicable legal requirements. Choosing a 3D or 4D style does not, by itself, make a plate unlawful.

The finished plate must still satisfy the relevant requirements for character appearance, spacing, construction, markings and visibility. Customers must not alter a compliant plate after delivery in a way that makes it non-compliant.

6. Plate markings

A compliant registration plate must carry the markings required by the applicable standard and regulations. Required markings identify the relevant British Standard and the manufacturer or supplier, together with any other information required for the finished plate.

Required markings must not be removed, covered or altered.

7. Registration number and customer entitlement

A physical number plate displays a registration mark; it does not create or transfer your legal entitlement to that registration number. You must already have the right to use the registration number.

Before manufacturing or supplying a plate, GOA Number Plates must complete the required verification process. If the required documents are not provided, the order may be delayed or refused.

8. Documents required — identity and address

You must provide documentation that allows us to confirm the required identity and address information. Acceptable documents include:

Documents that can confirm name and address

• Driving licence, with or without a photograph, whether or not issued in the UK.
• Electricity, gas or water bill, or other accepted utility bill, issued within the previous 6 months.
• Council Tax bill or, where applicable, Northern Ireland rates bill, issued within the previous 6 months.
• Bank or building society statement issued within the previous 6 months.
• National identity card issued by the government of a state or territory outside the UK.

Documents that confirm name only

• Passport, whether or not issued in the UK.
• Bank or building society debit or credit card.
• Police warrant card.
• Armed Forces identity card.

The documents used must be original documents where the RNPS verification rules require originals. Copies, screenshots or photographs should not be assumed to be acceptable substitutes.

9. Documents required — entitlement to the registration number

At least one acceptable document must be provided to show that you are entitled to display the registration number. Depending on the vehicle and circumstances, acceptable entitlement evidence can include:

• V5C or V5CNI — vehicle registration certificate.
• V5C/2 or V5C/2NI — green new keeper section / slip.
• V750 or V750NI — certificate of entitlement to the registration number.
• V778 — retention document.
• V11 or V11NI — renewal reminder for vehicle tax or SORN.
• V379 or V379NI — temporary registration certificate.
• V948 — number plate authorisation certificate carrying the required official DVLA/DVSA authorisation or stamp where applicable.
• eV948 or eV948/2 — electronic number plate authorisation certificate.
• Fleet operator authorisation — a letter from a fleet operator, including a lease or hire company, containing the required registration document reference information.
• View Vehicle Record PDF — for eligible fleet, leasing or hire arrangements using the DVLA V5C suppression / on-demand system, where the PDF contains the required DVLA document reference number.
• VTRC — UK trailer registration certificate, where applicable.

The exact document accepted can depend on the registration, vehicle type and circumstances of the order. We may request additional evidence where required to complete the verification process.

10. Documents and verification

The documents are checked to establish your identity, address and entitlement to the registration number. GOA Number Plates may record the required document reference information as part of its registered supplier obligations.

Customers should not send scans or photographs of V750 or V778 documents through public channels or share them unnecessarily, because these documents can contain information that may be used in connection with a private registration.

11. Customer responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that the registration number supplied for manufacture is correct and that you have the legal entitlement to use it. You must not rearrange characters, alter the registration mark or make changes that could make the plate difficult to read or otherwise non-compliant.

If a requested design or modification conflicts with applicable legal requirements, GOA Number Plates may refuse to manufacture it as requested.

12. Fitting and use

A compliant plate can become unlawful if it is fitted incorrectly, damaged, covered, altered or displayed in a way that prevents the registration mark from being clearly visible. You are responsible for fitting and maintaining the plate correctly after delivery.

Motorcycles and motor tricycles can be subject to different requirements from cars. You must ensure that your plate is fitted and displayed in accordance with the requirements applicable to your vehicle.

13. Personalised registrations

If you have purchased or otherwise obtained a personalised registration, you must have the necessary entitlement before ordering a physical plate. Manufacturing a plate does not create, transfer or assign the legal right to a registration number.

Please make sure any registration has been correctly assigned to the vehicle before driving with the new registration plate where applicable.

14. Supplier records

As a registered number plate supplier, GOA Number Plates must keep records relating to plates supplied. These records include the registration number, customer information, entitlement information and traceability information taken from accepted documents.

RNPS records must be retained for the period required by DVLA and may be inspected by DVLA, the police, DVSA or Trading Standards where they have the relevant legal authority.

15. Important legal warning

Using an incorrectly displayed or non-compliant registration plate can lead to enforcement action, including a fine of up to £1,000 and an MOT failure in circumstances covered by the applicable rules. Do not alter a plate after purchase in a way that could affect its legality.

16. Official guidance

The information on this page has been prepared using current GOV.UK and DVLA guidance concerning registration plates, registered number plate suppliers and customer documentation. Official legislation and DVLA guidance take priority if requirements change.

This page should be read together with our terms & conditions, return & refund policy, warranty policy and privacy policy.