Trade licence plates
Apply for a trade licence
All trade licences expire on either 30 June or 31 December. You cannot get a licence for less than 6 months or more than 12 months at a time (from the month you apply).
This means, when you apply for your first licence, it will last for between 6 and 12 months, depending on when you apply. For example, if you apply in September, it will last for 10 months, so it expires the following June.
Once you have a licence, you can renew it for 6 or 12 months at a time.
How much licences cost
The price is different for vehicles (for example, cars and vans) and motorcycles, bicycles or tricycles.
| Month you apply | When the licence expires | How long it’s valid for | Rate of duty for all vehicles | Rate of duty for bicycles and tricycles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (6 month licence) | June | 6 months | £90.75 | £64.35 |
| January (12 month licence) | December | 12 months | £165 | £117 |
| February | December | 11 months | £165 | £117 |
| March | December | 10 months | £151.25 | £107.25 |
| April | December | 9 months | £136.10 | £96.50 |
| May | December | 8 months | £121 | £85.80 |
| June | December | 7 months | £105.85 | £75.05 |
| July | December | 6 months | £90.75 | £64.35 |
| August | June | 11 months | £165 | £117 |
| September | June | 10 months | £151.25 | £107.25 |
| October | June | 9 months | £136.10 | £96.50 |
| November | June | 8 months | £121 | £85.80 |
| December | June | 7 months | £105.85 | £75.05 |
How to apply
Download and complete form VTL301.
You need to have motor trade insurance, and provide a copy of your Motor Trade Insurance Certificate with the form. If you have a different type of insurance, your application will not be approved.
The name on your insurance certificate must match the name on the application form.
DVLA cannot return copies of your documents, so do not send the original.
If you do not have a Motor Trade Insurance Certificate, you’ll need to say why and give your Companies House registration number.
When you apply for your licence, you will say whether you want a set of plates:
- for vehicles, plus a set for motorcycles, bicycles or tricycles
- just for vehicles
- just for motorcycles, bicycles or tricycles
Applying for additional licences
You can apply for additional licences if you want extra sets of plates.
Follow the same process to apply for an additional licence as the initial licence - send in form VTL301 with a copy of your Motor Trade Insurance Certificate.
After you apply
If your application is successful, you should be sent a confirmation letter and your trade plates within 4 weeks of applying. They will be sent separately.
Contact DVLA after 4 weeks if you’ve not received your confirmation letter or trade plates.