Acrylic numberplates

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.

Register of numberplate suppliers