[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Do I need to report stolen number plates to DVLA, or is there something else you should do? We will cover what you need to know here.

Unfortunately, number plates get stolen all the time around the world – but do I need to report stolen number plates to DVLA? If that’s the case, what is the process, and what should you be aware of before you do this?

We will go through everything you need to know about stolen plates, including what you should do if your plates are stolen, how to report it, and steps you can take to prevent it from happening again.

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.

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.

How Do Number Plates Get Stolen?

Number plates can get stolen in any number of ways, in any number of places. If a criminal knows what they are doing, they can go so far as to steal number plates from vehicles that are in a shopping car park, at the petrol station, or anywhere else.

Depending on how the number plate was secured to the vehicle, there are different methods that could be used to remove your number plate. Plates that have been stuck to the car are very easy to remove (just a quick pull) if they haven’t been secured with number plate holders. For cars that have been screwed in, all you need is a screwdriver to get the job done.

Is Number Plate Theft Common in the UK?

On average, there are around 70 number plate thefts per day in the UK. In a year, there are usually over 27,000 plates stolen, but this number is on the rise in recent years, with over 53,000 plates being stolen in the UK in 2021.

So, number plate theft is more common than you might think, and you probably know someone who has been a victim of this crime. Depending on where you live, this could be a crime that happens daily due to the high number of vehicles in the area.

No matter how or when, though, you should always know what to do if your number plates get stolen.

What Should You Do if Your Plates Are Stolen?

Before we continue, it’s worth reminding you that it is illegal to drive without number plates, even if they were removed from your vehicle and stolen in the night. This means that having your plates stolen can impact more than you think, and it can result in you needing to pay extra money to get to work, school, or anywhere else you need to be.

If your number plates get stolen, you should:

1. Report the incident to the police
2. Tell the DVLA that your number plates have been stolen
3. Call and tell your insurance company about the issue
4. Get replacement number plates
5. Keep an eye on your post and any correspondence with from the police or anywhere else

Do I Need to Report Stolen Number Plates to DVLA?

Do I need to report stolen number plates to DVLA? In short: yes. If your number plates are stolen, you should absolutely report this to the DVLA as soon as you can

Why?

Doing this will allow the DVLA to be on the lookout for your number plate being used elsewhere and any misuse. This will safeguard you against any consequences that the thieves might hope to get away with and place on you.

It might be tempting to simply order a new set of plates if yours gets stolen, but this is not recommended without letting the right authorities know first. Doing this can land you in more trouble than notifying the DVLA, and there may well be fines and court cases to work through if you don’t let them know that your plate was stolen.

How to Notify the DVLA of a Stolen Number Plate

To notify the DVLA that your number plate has been stolen, you will need to download the VTL310 form and complete it. In the case of stolen plates, you are going to need the crime reference number to fill out the form as well – this is the reference number for your specific case that the police will give you, so you will also need to notify the police before you can tell the DVLA.

Preventing Your Plates from Getting Stolen

There are several things you can do to help prevent your number plates from getting stolen. It’s worth pointing out that while these help, you can never guarantee that anything you do will stop your plates from being stolen if someone is truly dead set on having them. If this happens, just remember that you did what you could, and it was the actions of the thieves – not you – to blame.

Here are some suggestions for preventing your plates from getting stolen (or even cloned):

• Personalise your plate – to help protect your physical plate, you can add personalised options like a flag to them. If you already use screws for your plate, consider upgrading to anti-theft screws.
• Use security accessories – things like number plate holders will add some extra security to your plate and deter theft. These are especially useful to have if you have opted for securing the plate to your vehicle using sticky pads, since you can’t use anti-theft screws.
• 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.
• 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, and it 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.

Get Your New Number Plates at Number Plate Clinic

Getting your number plate stolen is not only frustrating, but it costs time and money. However, knowing what to do if this ever happens is crucial, and you need to know what to expect and how to deal with it. Not only that, but knowing what steps you can take to prevent theft in the first place is always good. After all – prevention is better than cure, right?

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.

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.

So, do I need to report stolen number plates to DVLA? You absolutely do, but you will need to file a police report first so that you can get your crime reference number, which will be needed for the VTL310 form.

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