Stolen number plates: security, reporting and replacement steps

Make the plates harder to remove

GOV.UK says theft-resistant number plates are designed to make it harder for someone to remove them quickly and reuse them. They reduce an opportunity; they do not guarantee that a plate cannot be taken.

Check how each plate is attached and whether its holder, screws or pads have become loose. Ask a registered number plate supplier or vehicle dealer about suitable theft-resistant plates or fittings for the vehicle rather than choosing a fixing that could damage the plate or bumper.

• Check the front and rear fixings regularly.
• Replace loose, damaged or unsuitable fittings.
• Keep fixings clear of every registration character.
• Ask a supplier about theft-resistant options for the vehicle.

If a plate is missing, check and report it

Check both ends of the vehicle and photograph the empty mounting area and the plate that remains. If a number plate has been stolen, report the theft through the police website or your local force and keep the reference number.

Do not drive the vehicle without the required plate. Police guidance states that driving without number plates is illegal, and the current DVSA MOT manual lists a missing plate as a major defect. Arrange a compliant replacement before returning the vehicle to the road.

• Photograph the vehicle and mounting area.
• Check whether one plate or both have disappeared.
• Report the theft and retain the reference number.
• Keep the vehicle off the road until the required plates are fitted.

Order replacements from a registered supplier

GOV.UK lists a lost, damaged or stolen plate as a reason to have a replacement made. Road-use plates can only be made by a registered number plate supplier.

The supplier needs original documents proving your name and address and your entitlement to the registration. Prepare the accepted documents before ordering, and enter the registration exactly as it appears on the V5C or other entitlement record. An improvised sign is not a substitute for a compliant replacement plate.

Watch for fines or notices linked to a clone

A stolen or copied registration may be used on another vehicle. If you receive a fine or notice for a vehicle, place or journey that is not yours, keep the letter and evidence showing the differences, then use the police.uk cloned-number-plate reporting service.

Police.uk says you must still respond to every fine or notice using the instructions from its sender. The current online report is shared with DVLA, so police.uk says a separate DVLA report is not needed for the cloning report. Keep the police reference and copies of every response.

Fit and record the replacement carefully

Before fitting, compare every letter and number with the entitlement document. Choose fixings suited to the vehicle and plate, keep screws and caps away from the characters and confirm that the finished plate is secure.

Take a clear dated photograph after fitting and retain the supplier receipt with the theft reference. In the Vista builder, choose Road Legal for a public-road replacement, select the correct white front, yellow rear or pair option, then review the size, lettering and fixings before checkout. Official guidance checked on 25 October 2026.

• Check the complete registration before fitting.
• Keep fixings away from letters and numbers.
• Photograph the newly fitted plates.
• Retain the supplier receipt and police reference.
• Choose the correct front, rear or pair replacement.