The Driver and Vehicle License Authority (DVLA) has announced plans to issue number plates in individual names starting from January 2026.
The initiative is part of measures to be implemented to ensure security and safety on our roads.
A statement issued by the authority on October 3, 2025, indicated that number plates will be assigned to individual vehicle owners who will take them off during a change of ownership.
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“In an effort to ensure security and safety on our roads, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) would, from January 2026, begin issuing vehicle license plates in the names of individuals,” the statement indicated.
“What this means is that the vehicle number in the possession of an individual belongs to the individual who has a responsibility to take off the number plate at the time of a change in ownership,” it added.
The DVLA urged vehicle owners to regard their registration numbers as personal identifiers and take responsibility for protecting them once the initiative begins.
See templates of the new DV plates from 2026
The statement further indicated that when there is a change of ownership, the former owner will be required to remove their number plate before completing the necessary processes to enable the new owner to obtain a new registration number from the DVLA.
This, according to DVLA, will strengthen traceability and allow security agencies to link every vehicle number directly to a verified individual.
Read full statement below:
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