[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Read this article to learn how to report cloned number plates to DVLA, how to avoid cloning, and what to do when buying second-hand.

Knowing how to report cloned number plates to DVLA is crucial if you ever fall victim to this crime, whether you have 3D gel plates or not. However, how do you know if your plates have been cloned, and what other steps do you need to take? We will go through what you need to know in this article.

At Number Plate Clinic, we explore everything you could want to know about number plates. From how to personalise 3D gel plates for special occasions and comparing the cost of 3D gels to other plates, to the environmental benefits of 3D gel plates and how they impact a vehicle’s resale value.

We also let you know how to remove and replace 3D gel plates, how to make them last longer, and if they are suitable for motorcycles – so if you need help, we have plenty of articles that could be answering the question that you’re asking.

What is a Cloned Number Plate?

Simply put, a cloned number plate is a number plate that has been put on a different car by criminals. This can happen when criminals are involved in organised crime, steal vehicles, or repair cars that have been written off.

Doing this can have serious consequences, and it can affect more people than anticipated. If someone clones your number plate, and you don’t know about it, you may be held responsible for the crimes that are done with the cloned plate. Because of this, it is crucial to report cloned plates as soon as you see them.

How Do You Know if Your Number Plate Has Been Cloned?

Unfortunately, the first time many people realise that their number plate has been cloned is when you receive a fine or worse through the post. More often than not, this will be a NIP, or Notice of Intended Prosecution for things like speeding, running a traffic light, or not paying Congestion Charges.

You could also get pulled over by the police if your registration plate has been used for high-level crimes such as evading police or robbery. While this can be alarming, if you know it wasn’t you and your car, you should try and provide receipts that prove this on the spot. If you know that you are not responsible, there will be ways to prove it, so try not to get too stressed about it.

There are two things that you should do if you question this notice, including:

• See where the offence took place – check which part of the country the offence took place. If you live in North Yorkshire and the offence took place in London, then you are going to know that something is off immediately.
• Check the time and date of the offence – similarly, you should check the time and date of the offence to see if there was any chance of you being around when it was committed. Were you on holiday when it happened? Or somewhere else entirely on those dates? Your plate has probably been cloned.

Is it Possible to Prevent Your Plate from Being Cloned?

Preventing your number plate from being cloned can be more challenging than preventing theft. While theft requires the physical number plate to be removed from the vehicle, cloning can be done easily online.

For a plate to be cloned, a criminal just needs to get all the details on it and use it on a different car. They can get an illegal plate made with your registration, and you will be the one to get all those fines we mentioned earlier.

However, there are steps that you can take to prevent your registration plate from being cloned. These include the following:

• Never post pictures of your car online – doing this will only give criminals the chance to note down the details of your car, including the make, model, colour, registration, and more. If they do this, they can easily get all the information they want and need for their crimes and to clone it.
• Park your vehicle in a garage if possible – granted, this is not always possible, especially in the UK. However, if you can get your vehicle away from the street, you can prevent the car from being identified and observed by criminals. This also gives them less of a chance to steal your plates.
• Remove images of your vehicle that are already online – finally, if there are already images of your vehicle online, go and take them down if possible. If someone else has images of your vehicle on, for example, their Facebook, ask for them to remove these images.

How to Check for Cloning When Buying Second-Hand Vehicles

If you are purchasing a second-hand car, you should always double-check that the number plate matches the car. It doesn’t matter how reputable the seller might seem – you need to do everything you can to protect yourself.

To check that everything is in order, have a look at the V5C logbook and make sure that the registration plate matches the one that is secured to the car. You should also check that the VIN number in the logbook is the same as the one stamped on the car (these are usually found on the sill of the driver’s door, below the windscreen, and under the bonnet).

A few signs that the vehicle is cloned or otherwise illegal:

• The seller will only accept cash for it to prevent it being traced back to them
• The car seems like a bargain and suspiciously cheap. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• The address book doesn’t make the vehicle’s rough location (e.g. the closest city)
• The seller wants to sell the vehicle in a public space rather than in front of their home address

It’s always a good idea to complete an online car check before buying a car. Here, you input the registration plate, and you can see if the car has been written off, stolen, or has outstanding finances that you should be aware of.

What to Do if Your Plate Has Been Cloned

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to do if you learn that your number plate has been cloned:

1. Report it to the police
2. Return fines and/or letters to sender
3. Contact the DVLA
4. Collect evidence

We will go through how to report a cloned plate to the police and DVLA in the sections below.

How to Report Cloned Number Plates to the Police

Here’s what you need to do in order to report the crime to the police, and what you can expect after calling 101 (non-emergency line):

1. Provide all possible details about your registration plate and vehicle
2. Explain the situation and tell them that you think your plate has been cloned
3. You may need to fill out a formal police report that details the incident
4. Provide any necessary supporting documents and letters that will support your claim
5. Cooperate and assist wherever possible and needed
6. Keep the crime reference number recorded

How to Report Cloned Number Plates to DVLA

Once you have reached out to the police, contact the DVLA either online via the website or through a call. Here are the rough steps for how to report cloned number plates to DVLA:

1. Outline the whole situation and tell when the number plate you think is cloned, along with other relevant information
2. Tell them the crime reference number
3. Provide any necessary supporting documents and letters
4. If they tell you about any procedures to follow, make sure you follow them

Get Your New Number Plates at Number Plate Clinic

While no one wants to be a victim of crime, it’s always useful to know what steps should be taken if your plates get stolen or cloned. In this article, we explored what cloned plates are, how to report them to the DVLA, and more.

For those interested, we have articles on how to spot high-quality 3D gel plates, how they are manufactured, if they make a good gift, and what makes them stand out on the road.

If you want to learn more about 3D gel number plates, find out about their history and evolution, why people choose them over standard plates, their benefits, and if they are legal in the UK. We also cover the durability of 3D gel number plates, and what you should do if your plates get stolen – so there is plenty to learn about if you’re interested.

Now that you know how to report cloned number plates to DVLA, you can move ahead with the knowledge of what to do if the worst should happen.

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