DVLA warns against misuse of DV number plates

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has reiterated that DV number plates are strictly issued to licensed car dealers and vehicle manufacturers for limited and clearly defined purposes.

The Authority stressed that DV plates are not intended for general or prolonged use on public roads and must not be treated as a substitute for full vehicle registration.

Clarifying the matter, the Director of Communication at the DVLA, Stephen Attuh, explained that DV plates are meant to support specific operational activities of licensed dealers and manufacturers.

He said the plates are mainly used when vehicles are being moved temporarily, such as for repairing defects or for test drives prior to final sale.

Mr Attuh made these remarks on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, February 5, following growing public concern and confusion over the increasing presence of DV plates on roads across the country.

According to him, many motorists wrongly assume that DV plates can be used freely even after a vehicle has been purchased, a practice he described as illegal.

“You are not required to have a DV plate on your vehicle unless it is being used for fixing a defect or test driving. Once the vehicle is sold and leaves the dealer’s premises, the law requires that it is fully registered and properly identified before it can be driven on our roads,” he explained.

Mr Attuh further attributed the rising misuse of DV plates to some car dealers, accusing them of flouting existing regulations.

Referencing Regulation 23 of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2180, he said the rules governing the issuance and use of trade licences are clear, and any deviation from them constitutes a breach of the law.

“The misuse of DV plates is largely due to dealers allowing it. Regulation 23 of LI 2180 clearly outlines what a trade licence is and how it is obtained. DV plates have strict limitations, and their use for normal driving is not permitted,” he added.