Ordering number plates in the UK is not like ordering a phone case. By law, a Registered Number Plate Supplier has to confirm two things before making your plates: that you are who you say you are, and that you are entitled to use the registration. This guide lists exactly what counts as acceptable proof.
The two things you must prove
- Your identity. Who you are and where you live.
- Your entitlement. That the registration belongs to your vehicle, or to you.
You will need one document from each category. Some documents cover identity only, some cover entitlement only, and a driving licence photocard showing your current address can often cover both parts of identity in one.
Accepted proof of identity
Usually a photographic document plus, where the photographic document does not show your current address, a second document confirming it.
- Photocard driving licence, full or provisional
- Passport, which does not need to be a UK passport
- National identity card
- Debit or credit card, used together with an address document
- Police warrant card
- Armed forces identity card
Where an address document is needed, these are typically accepted:
- Utility bill from the last three months
- Bank or building society statement from the last three months
- Council tax bill for the current year
- A letter from a government department or the DVLA
Accepted proof of entitlement
This is the document that ties you to the registration. Any one of the following usually works:
- V5C vehicle registration certificate, the log book. The most common option.
- V5C/2 new keeper slip, if you have just bought the vehicle and the full log book has not arrived.
- V948 form with an official DVLA stamp, issued where a registration mark needs to be displayed.
- V778 retention document, if you hold a private registration on retention.
- V750 certificate of entitlement, if you have bought a registration that has not yet been assigned.
- Vehicle registration renewal reminder, the V11.
- A lease or hire agreement showing the registration, for company and leased vehicles.
What if you do not have the log book yet?
This is the most common problem, and it is solvable. If you have just bought a car, the V5C/2 green new keeper slip is normally sufficient. If the registration is brand new or you are waiting on DVLA paperwork, contact us before ordering and we will tell you which alternative will work.
Do show plates need documents?
Show plates are display items and are not road legal, so the entitlement check works differently. They are supplied for exhibition, display and collection use and must never be fitted to a vehicle used on a public road. If a seller offers road legal plates with no documents at all, that is a warning sign.
How the check works when you order online
- Design your plate and choose your size and style.
- Upload clear photographs or scans of your documents at checkout, or email them to us.
- We verify the documents against the registration you have entered.
- Once verified, your plates go into production and are dispatched.
Clear photographs speed this up considerably. Make sure all four corners are visible, the text is readable and there is no glare across the document.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order plates for a car registered to my partner?
Yes, provided you can supply the entitlement document for the vehicle along with your own identity documents.
Are my documents kept on file?
Registered suppliers are required to keep records of plate sales. Your documents are handled in line with our privacy policy.
What if my address has changed?
Use a document showing your current address. If your driving licence still shows an old address, add a recent utility bill or bank statement.
Do I need documents for a replacement of the same plate?
Yes. The check applies to every road legal plate supplied, including straight replacements for damaged plates.
Ready to order?
Have your identity and entitlement documents to hand, then choose your style from our standard, 3D gel, 4D or 5D ranges.