Number Plates - What’s the Law?
Dealer Number Plates in the UK: What’s the Law?
When selling a car, many dealers wonder if they’re required to change the number plates to show their dealership details. The short answer? No — it isn’t a legal requirement in the UK.
Legal Requirements for Number Plates
UK law is strict about how plates must appear, but it doesn’t demand dealer branding. The essentials are:
What the law says
- The registration mark must be displayed correctly with the approved font and spacing.
- Plates must carry the current British Standard mark (BS AU 145e).
- The supplier’s name & postcode (the RNPS-registered plate maker) must be printed at the bottom.
Who Appears on the Plate?
It’s not the dealership that has to be shown — it’s the number plate supplier. This is the company physically manufacturing the plates and registered under the DVLA’s RNPS scheme. Their details appear in very small print at the bottom edge of the plate.
Key point
- The RNPS-registered supplier details are legally required.
- Dealership details are not required unless the dealer is also the plate supplier.
Dealer Branding: Optional Advertising
Many dealers still choose to display their name, town, or website on plates. If the dealer is also the plate supplier (or works with one who allows it), the branding can be included — often as free rolling advertising on the road.
Why dealers add branding
- Plates act as free, visible advertising on every car sold.
- Helps with brand recognition and future sales.
- Optional only — never a legal obligation.
👉 In Short
- Legal obligation: Plates must show the RNPS-registered plate supplier’s name and postcode, plus the British Standard mark.
- Dealer’s choice: You don’t have to add dealership details unless you want to use them as branding (and you’re registered as the supplier).
