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DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR NUMBER PLATES

Last Updated: 30 September 2026

Before Plate-Maker can supply road-use number plates, we must complete the required checks to confirm your identity and that you are entitled to use the registration number.

Having the correct documents ready can help avoid delays to verification and production.

1. WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?

You generally need to provide:

The documents accepted for these purposes are set out in the current DVLA guidance.

1.1 Proof of Your Name and Address

You can use one of the following documents to confirm both your name and address:

The exact document requirements can depend on the document you provide and the current DVLA guidance.

1.2 Documents That Confirm Your Name Only

The following documents can confirm your name but do not, by themselves, provide the required address evidence:

If you use a name-only document, you will also need an acceptable document confirming your address.

1.3 Proof You Can Use the Registration Number

You must also provide an accepted document showing that you are entitled to use the registration number.

Depending on your circumstances, this can include:

The document you need depends on your circumstances and how the registration is held.

Check the current GOV.UK guidance on getting number plates made up.

2. DO I NEED IDENTITY AND REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS?

Yes.

For a road-use plate order, we need to complete the required checks for both:

For example, a V5C can establish the relevant vehicle and registration information, but you may still need separate identity and address evidence.

Likewise, a passport can establish your name but does not by itself establish your entitlement to use a particular registration number.

3. WHAT IF I HAVE A PRIVATE REGISTRATION?

If you have purchased or retained a private registration, you may have a V750 Certificate of Entitlement or V778 Retention Document showing your entitlement to the registration.

These documents can be used as evidence of entitlement where accepted by the current DVLA requirements.

Getting the physical number plates made is separate from the DVLA process of assigning a registration to a vehicle.

If you are unsure which document applies to your private registration, contact us before ordering.

4. DO I NEED THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS?

The DVLA guidance states that registered number plate suppliers need to see the required original documents.

For this reason, you should not assume that a photograph, scan or photocopy of a paper document is sufficient.

Some DVLA authorisations are issued electronically—for example, an eV948—and these are different from simply taking a photograph of a paper document.

5. HOW TO PROVIDE YOUR DOCUMENTS

The exact document-checking procedure applicable to your order will be confirmed by Plate-Maker.

We must complete the required identity and registration-entitlement checks before supplying road-use plates.

If you are unsure about how to provide a particular document, contact us before sending anything rather than assuming that a photograph or scan will be accepted.

6. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I PLACE MY ORDER?

The process is generally:

  1. Place Your Order

    Select your registration and plate style and complete your order.

  2. Provide the Required Documents

    Provide the documents needed for the identity and registration-entitlement checks applicable to your order.

  3. Verification

    We check the required documentation before supplying your road-use plates.

    We may ask for additional documentation if the information provided is insufficient or needs clarification.

  4. Production

    Production starts once the required document checks have been completed.

  5. Dispatch or Collection

    Once your plates are ready, they are either dispatched by Royal Mail or made available for confirmed collection, depending on the delivery option selected.

7. WHAT IF MY DOCUMENTS CANNOT BE VERIFIED?

We cannot supply road-use plates until the required checks have been completed.

If we cannot complete the required checks for your order, we will contact you.

Where an order cannot proceed because the required checks cannot be completed, the order may be cancelled and the applicable refund made in accordance with our Returns & Cancellation Policy.

8. DO YOU KEEP MY DOCUMENTS?

Plate-Maker records the information required for its registered number plate supplier obligations.

DVLA requirements include keeping relevant sales records for three years.

We do not make additional promises about how long particular uploaded images, copies or other document material are retained unless this is confirmed in our Privacy Policy and supported by the actual systems used.

For information about how Plate-Maker handles personal information and document-related data, please see our Privacy Policy.

9. IMPORTANT: USE GENUINE DOCUMENTS

Please provide genuine and valid documents.

Do not alter, falsify or knowingly provide fraudulent documentation.

If you are unsure whether a document is acceptable, contact us before placing or completing your order.

10. ORDERING ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE ELSE

If you are ordering number plates on behalf of another person, contact Plate-Maker before ordering.

The required identity and registration-entitlement checks still need to be completed, and the documents required may depend on the circumstances.

11. AGE REQUIREMENT

Plate-Maker's policy is to accept orders from customers aged 18 or over.

This is a Plate-Maker company policy and should not be confused with the DVLA document requirements themselves.

12. NEED HELP WITH YOUR DOCUMENTS?

If you are unsure which documents you need, contact us before ordering.

Please tell us:

We can then advise you on the appropriate next step.

13. OFFICIAL GUIDANCE

The requirements for number plate suppliers can change, so the current GOV.UK guidance should be checked where you need confirmation of the latest accepted documents.

GOV.UK — Getting number plates made up

14. RELATED PAGES

15. PLATE-MAKER

Private Number Plate Maker Ltd

Company Number: 16163051

DVLA Registered Number Plate Supplier: 75449

Registered Office:
Stand 53, New Spitalfields Market
1 Sherrin Road
London
E10 5SQ

Email: info@plate-maker.co.uk

Telephone: 020 3576 6603

WhatsApp: +44 7754 185366