When you order road-legal plates from us, we ask for two things: proof of who you are and proof that you’re entitled to the registration. That isn’t our policy – it’s the law. Registered Number Plate Suppliers (RNPS) must see these documents before making a plate, and keep a record for three years.
This page lists every document that’s accepted, explains why, and shows how to send them to us.
In this guide
Why suppliers must check documents
The rules were introduced to stop number plate cloning – criminals ordering copies of someone else’s registration to avoid fines, tolls and crimes being traced back to them. If anyone could order any plate, cloning would be effortless.
By checking ID and entitlement, a registered supplier makes sure the person ordering plates has a genuine right to that registration. The DVLA has been tightening its oversight of suppliers in 2026, and online marketplaces that didn’t check documents have been forced out of the market. Read more in cloned number plates.
Document 1: proof of identity
You need one of the following.
Showing your name and address:
- Driving licence
- Utility, Council Tax or rates bill from the last 6 months
- Bank or building society statement from the last 6 months
- National identity card
Showing your name only:
- Passport (doesn’t have to be UK-issued)
- Bank or building society debit or credit card
- Police warrant card
- Armed forces identity card
When you photograph a bank card, cover all but the last four digits of the card number. We only need to see your name.
Document 2: proof of entitlement to the registration
You also need one of these, showing the registration on your plates:
| Document | When you’d use it |
|---|---|
| V5C registration certificate (logbook) or V5CNI | The registered keeper of the vehicle |
| V5C/2 green “new keeper” slip | You’ve just bought the vehicle |
| V750 certificate of entitlement | A private number you’ve bought but not yet assigned |
| V778 retention document | A private number you’ve taken off a vehicle |
| V11 tax or SORN renewal reminder | Proof linked to the vehicle |
| V379 temporary registration certificate | Your logbook is with the DVLA |
| V948 number plate authorisation (with DVLA stamp) or eV948 | Issued by the DVLA for replacement plates |
| Fleet or lease company letter quoting the V5C reference | A company, lease or hire car |
| VTRC trailer registration certificate | A registered trailer |
Ordering for company vans or lease cars? See number plates for business fleets. For private registrations, read our private number plates guide – a V750 or V778 lets you order plates before the number is on your car.
How to send your documents to us
- At checkout – upload clear photos or PDFs of both documents. This is quickest: we can check them and start making your plates straight away.
- After ordering – tick the box to upload later and we’ll email a secure link. You can also find it on your order page or our upload documents page.
Photos from your phone are fine, as long as the details are sharp and readable. We accept JPG, PNG, WEBP, HEIC and PDF files up to 10MB.
How we protect your documents
- Documents are stored in a private area of our server that can’t be reached from the web.
- They’re seen only by the team member who verifies your order.
- Once your order has been verified, the files are deleted after 90 days. We keep the record the law requires – the document types seen, the date and who checked them – but not the images.
Show plates and documents
Show plates aren’t made for road use, so we don’t need your V5C for them. We do ask you to confirm the plate won’t be displayed on a vehicle used on public roads.
Ready to order?
Design your plates and upload your documents at checkout – it takes about a minute.
Frequently asked questions
Why do you need my V5C to make number plates?
Registered suppliers are legally required to see proof that you’re entitled to the registration. The V5C is the most common document that shows it.
Can someone else order plates for my car?
Yes, but they’ll need to provide their own ID and a document showing the registration, such as the V5C or a V5C/2 slip.
I’ve lost my V5C. Can I still buy plates?
You can use another entitlement document, such as a V11 reminder or V379 temporary certificate. You can also apply to the DVLA for a replacement logbook.
My car is on lease. What do I send?
A letter of authorisation from the lease or fleet company quoting the V5C document reference number, plus your own ID.
Is it safe to upload my driving licence?
Yes. Uploads go to private storage that isn’t publicly accessible, are viewed only to verify your order and are deleted after verification.
