Lost, stolen or damaged plates are one of the most common reasons UK drivers come to us. The good news: replacing them legally is genuinely simple, and you can usually have new plates on your car within 48 hours. Here’s the full process, in order.

Step 1 — Decide if it’s lost, stolen or damaged

The replacement process is the same, but how you handle the paperwork before you order differs slightly:

• Damaged (cracked, chipped, faded, or showing wear): order replacements straight away — no police step needed.
• Lost (fell off, blew off, never returned home): same as damaged — no police report needed unless you suspect theft.
• Stolen (taken from your parked car, or only one missing while the other is intact): report to the police first. Stolen plates are often used in fuel theft, parking fraud, or to clone vehicles. Reporting protects you from being mistakenly linked to those offences.

Step 2 — Report stolen plates to the police

If your plates were stolen:

1. Call 101 (the non-emergency police line) or report online at police.uk.
2. Get a crime reference number. You’ll be asked for your reg, vehicle make/model, and approximate time/location of theft.
3. Save the reference. Some insurers ask to see it; if anyone clones your plates after the theft, this is your proof you reported them missing first.

You don’t need the crime reference number to order replacement plates — but you do need to keep it for your records.

Step 3 — Gather your documents

UK law requires every plate supplier to verify your identity and your legal right to display the registration. To buy from any DVLA-registered supplier, you’ll need:

Proof of identity (one of these)

• Driving licence (preferred — fastest verification)
• UK passport
• Recent council tax or utility bill (showing your name and address)
• Bank or credit card statement (less than 3 months old)

Proof of vehicle entitlement (one of these)

• V5C log book — the standard one for most owners
• V5C/2 new keeper supplement — if you’ve just bought the car and the V5C is being processed
• V778 retention document — if you’ve put a private plate on retention
• V750 certificate of entitlement — if you’ve bought a new private plate
• V948 certificate — for some commercial vehicles

You don’t need physical copies — clear photos uploaded at checkout are accepted by all UK suppliers including us.

Step 4 — Order from a DVLA-registered supplier

This is the legal bit. You can only buy replacement plates from a DVLA-Registered Number Plate Supplier (RNPS). Anyone selling plates without an RNPS code is operating illegally, and the plates won’t pass MOT or police checks.

To verify a supplier:

• They display their RNPS code publicly (usually in the footer or About page)
• They explicitly mention BS AU 145e compliance
• They require ID and V5C upload at checkout
• They have a UK business address and are listed on Companies House

If a seller skips any of those, don’t use them.

Step 5 — Pick your plate style

Standard 2D, 3D Gel, 4D laser-cut or 4D Gel — all are road legal as long as they meet BS AU 145e. We have a comparison guide if you’re unsure. For a straight replacement of a damaged plate, most people just match what was already on the car.

If your insurance or lease specifies “factory standard” plates, go with the 2D Standard. If you’re upgrading anyway, this is the cheapest moment to switch — you’ve already got the order in motion.

Step 6 — Order: front, rear or pair

Standard UK cars run two plates: a white front and a yellow rear. If only one is damaged or missing, you only need to order that one. Buying both at the same time is usually cheaper per plate, but isn’t required.

Special cases:

• Motorcycles — rear plate only (yellow), and the size is smaller than a car plate
• Trailers and caravans — must match the towing vehicle’s reg, single rear plate
• 4×4s and classics — often use square plates rather than the standard oblong

Our Number Plate Builder handles all of these — pick the size that matches your vehicle.

Step 7 — Pay and upload documents

At checkout you’ll:

1. Confirm front, rear or pair
2. Pick fixing options (free sticky pads, screws, or supply your own)
3. Upload photos of your ID and V5C
4. Pay (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna)

The whole process takes about 90 seconds.

Step 8 — Wait for delivery

If you order before 2PM on a working day, we dispatch the same day with Royal Mail Tracked 24. 98% of UK orders arrive next working day. Northern Ireland and the Highlands sometimes take an extra day. Republic of Ireland is 3-5 working days.

You’ll get a tracking link the moment your plate ships.

Step 9 — Fit the new plate

The simplest method: peel-and-stick foam pads (we include four free with every plate). Clean the bumper, line up the plate, press it firmly against the surface for 30 seconds. Done.

If you prefer screws, you’ll need:

• A power drill with a 4mm drill bit
• Two M5 number plate screws (we sell these as accessories)
• Plastic screw caps (white for front, yellow for rear) — these match the plate background and look factory-stock

Screws are more secure but harder to undo if you ever sell the car. Most UK drivers use sticky pads.

Step 10 — Recycle the old plates properly

If you have damaged plates, don’t bin them whole — they can be picked up and used for fraud. Snap them in half before disposing. Acrylic plates are recyclable at most household recycling centres in the rigid-plastics stream.

Common questions

Do I need to inform the DVLA?

No — you only need to inform the DVLA if your registration changes (e.g. private plate transfer). Replacing damaged plates with the same registration doesn’t require any DVLA notification.

Can I drive without the plate while I wait?

Technically no — driving without correctly displayed plates is an offence carrying a fine up to £1,000. In practice, police are reasonable about a single damaged or missing plate if you can show proof you’ve ordered a replacement. Don’t drive long distances without plates.

What if my V5C is at the DVLA being updated?

Use the V5C/2 new keeper supplement instead — that’s exactly what it’s for.

How much does a replacement plate cost?

Standard 2D plates from £6.99 single, 3D Gel from £9.99, 4D laser-cut from £9.99, 4D Gel from £13.99. Pairs are cheaper per plate.

Need plates today?

Order before 2PM on a working day and your plates ship the same day. Standard, 3D Gel, 4D and 4D Gel — all road legal, all BS AU 145e certified, all from a DVLA-registered supplier. Start with our Number Plate Builder.

Got a question about your specific situation? Our FAQ page answers 50 of the most common UK number plate questions.