The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has reiterated that DV number plates are issued strictly to licensed car dealers and vehicle manufacturers and are intended for specific, limited uses.
The Authority emphasized that DV plates are not meant for general or prolonged use on public roads and should not be regarded as an alternative to full vehicle registration. Explaining the purpose of the plates, the DVLA’s Director of Communications, Stephen Attuh, said they are designed to support particular operational needs of dealers and manufacturers.
He explained that DV plates are mainly used for temporary vehicle movement, such as transporting a car from a dealer’s premises for defect repairs or conducting test drives prior to final sale.
Mr. Attuh made the clarification during an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, February 5, following increasing public concern over the widespread appearance of DV plates on roads nationwide.
According to him, many motorists mistakenly assume that DV plates can be used freely even after purchasing a vehicle—an assumption he described as unlawful. “Once a vehicle is sold and leaves the dealer’s premises, it must be duly registered before it can be driven on public roads. DV plates are only permitted for specific purposes such as test driving or fixing defects,” he said.
Mr. Attuh also attributed the growing misuse of DV plates to some car dealers, accusing them of ignoring established regulations. He referenced Regulation 23 of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2180, which clearly outlines the conditions for issuing and using trade licences, noting that any deviation constitutes a violation of the law.
“The misuse of DV plates has been enabled by dealers. Regulation 23 of LI 2180 clearly defines what a trade licence is and how it should be used. DV plates come with strict limitations and are not allowed for routine driving,” he stressed.
