What happens to number plates (when the car is scrapped)
Discussion
What happens to a car's number plate once the car has been scrapped, is it forever taken off a list (I assume there is a list of all the number plates currently in use) by DVLA or will it go back into circulation as a private 'vanity' registration?
I ask because I would love to track down the number plate of a car I owned in the nineties (L-plate) for nostalgia sake, and although I know the car itself has inevitably been scrapped, is it possible that the plate is still in use/could still be used if I filled out some forms with DVLA?
I ask because I would love to track down the number plate of a car I owned in the nineties (L-plate) for nostalgia sake, and although I know the car itself has inevitably been scrapped, is it possible that the plate is still in use/could still be used if I filled out some forms with DVLA?
CTML said:
What happens to a car's number plate once the car has been scrapped, is it forever taken off a list (I assume there is a list of all the number plates currently in use) by DVLA or will it go back into circulation as a private 'vanity' registration?
I ask because I would love to track down the number plate of a car I owned in the nineties (L-plate) for nostalgia sake, and although I know the car itself has inevitably been scrapped, is it possible that the plate is still in use/could still be used if I filled out some forms with DVLA?
What's the number plate?I ask because I would love to track down the number plate of a car I owned in the nineties (L-plate) for nostalgia sake, and although I know the car itself has inevitably been scrapped, is it possible that the plate is still in use/could still be used if I filled out some forms with DVLA?
If it was assigned to the car when scrapped then it's removed from circulation and can't be assigned to another vehicle.
I tried to do something similar, and buy a number plate that had been on my day's ford cortina when he got it new in 1980. I spoke to DVLA and they said there was nothing they could currently do to get me the plate from a car that apparently had been scrapped, however there is soon to be changes in the laws regarding this and to keep an eye on the motoring press. Not sure what the changes are, but seems strange DVLA wouldn't want to make money from numbers that are not in use.
MrReg said:
The plate dies with the vehicle, and no amount of trying will ever get the number back in circulation.
There are no plans to change the rules about reissuing old numbers.
That's gutting, and bloody stupid. I was planning to see if I could buy a number plate which is a suffix layout, and would mean absolutely nothing to anyone but me. There are no plans to change the rules about reissuing old numbers.
DVLA are missing a trick here surely? I can't be the only one.
Plastic chicken said:
Does that mean that if a 'plate like A1, Dav 1D, Aud 1 etc. etc. happened to be on a car that was written off...would the number plate die with it?
No,if a car is written off the number can be transferd immediately,if stollen you have to wait a year before you can claim it back to transfer.
wiliferus said:
That's gutting, and bloody stupid. I was planning to see if I could buy a number plate which is a suffix layout, and would mean absolutely nothing to anyone but me.
DVLA are missing a trick here surely? I can't be the only one.
Google has lead me here after hunting for a number.DVLA are missing a trick here surely? I can't be the only one.
DVLA are DEFINITELY missing out here on a massive opportunity here... I'm after "R54 BDB" for my (yes you've guessed it) RS4 and I'd pay handsomely for it too (what with my initials being BDB!)
After much searching I have now found out that number *was* on a Citroen which was written off in 2003 and scrapped in 2011... GUTTED!!
I think the actual problem here is that DVLA don't want us to know just how bad their records are.
The truth is, they have no proper idea of how many vehicles are out there, what plates they have and who has them.
Due to this, they have a blanket policy of not re-issuing - even though developments in recent years have reduced the chances of duplicates appearing.
As an example, I have some plates for a V-suffix car in my garage. I also have the V5 and a small number of parts, but to all intents and purposes that car no longer exists, however, it's never been officially scrapped either - I have no intention of any wrongdoing, but if someone applied to re-use that number, they might find another car popping up with the same reg quite easily - DVLA would then have to get involved in adjudicating on who had the right to use the reg, and they can't even run the systems they have, never mind making things more complex.
The truth is, they have no proper idea of how many vehicles are out there, what plates they have and who has them.
Due to this, they have a blanket policy of not re-issuing - even though developments in recent years have reduced the chances of duplicates appearing.
As an example, I have some plates for a V-suffix car in my garage. I also have the V5 and a small number of parts, but to all intents and purposes that car no longer exists, however, it's never been officially scrapped either - I have no intention of any wrongdoing, but if someone applied to re-use that number, they might find another car popping up with the same reg quite easily - DVLA would then have to get involved in adjudicating on who had the right to use the reg, and they can't even run the systems they have, never mind making things more complex.
Rangeroverover said:
My Ex in laws had 7BMW its on a car that is still sitting in the garage at their home undriven since 1979, the car will never be restored to usable state as thecost would be prohibitive, presumably they have lost it forever?
May not be completely correct but in order to retain the plate it needs to pass MOT and be taxed so if you could somehow get it through the MOT and TAX it they could remove the plate.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff