What to do if your number plate is stolen

There are two steps to reporting stolen number plates.

1. Report the stolen number plates to the police to get a crime reference number.

2. Tell DVLA and include the crime reference number.

There is a different way to report if your number plate has been cloned.

Reporting stolen number plates to the police

Contact the police, who will give you a crime reference number. You’ll need to include this number when you tell DVLA.

Tell DVLA about the stolen number plates

Send a letter to DVLA with:

• your vehicle registration number (from the stolen number plates)
• the crime reference number from the police

You must be the registered keeper of the vehicle or have permission from them.

Send your letter to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AR

After you tell DVLA

DVLA will send a confirmation letter to the address on your vehicle log book (V5C).

Getting new number plates

You’ll need to get new number plates for your vehicle before you can drive it. How to get new number plates depends on the type that was stolen.

Standard number plates

If you had standard number plates, you can get number plates made up.

Trade number plates

Find out how to replace lost, stolen or damaged trade plates.