Guidance

How DVLA uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Information on how DVLA uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

• From: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
• Published: 9 January 2015
• Last updated: 26 February 2026
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  1. 26 February 2026

     ANPR data on untaxed vehicles is stored by DVLA for up to 18 months.

  2. 24 November 2020

     Change of contact name and address details and switch from a PDF to HTML document.

  3. 9 January 2015

     First published.

Documents

How DVLA uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition

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Details

DVLA uses ANPR technology to help detect and deter vehicle excise duty evasion throughout the UK.