The BBC has uncovered that seven companies on Amazon have been selling number plates without verifying necessary documents from customers, breaching UK law. This revelation comes amidst growing concerns over number plate cloning, a practice that has allowed approximately 90,000 penalty charge notices to be dismissed between 2021 and 2023. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is collaborating with police and Trading Standards to take decisive action against non-compliant suppliers.
The sale of number plates in the UK requires suppliers to physically verify documents such as a driver's license or V5 document. However, BBC's investigation revealed that companies including Defence Line Ltd, Domo Corporation Ltd, and Plastic Services bypassed these legal requirements. Despite receiving a text message from Reg Locker Ltd requesting documentation, the BBC ignored it, yet still received the plates days later. Reg Locker Ltd acknowledged the lapse, attributing it to temporary staff oversight and promising retraining.
"Temporary staff have clearly not followed up on the text message requesting the compliance documentation." – Reg Locker Ltd
The consequences of illegal number plate sales extend beyond regulatory violations. Stella Roscoe from Leatherhead, Surrey, experienced firsthand the implications of number plate cloning. She received a letter from police indicating prosecution for an accident in Ilford—a place she had never visited. Although the Metropolitan Police acknowledged the cloning of her car's plates, her insurance claim remains unresolved seven months later.
"If you get a letter through the door to say you're going to be prosecuted, it makes you feel awful," – Stella Roscoe from Leatherhead, Surrey
The Home Office has also highlighted the broader implications of number plate cloning. They assert that such activities compromise road safety and offer criminals a shield for unlawful acts. Efforts are underway with the DVLA and other partners to tackle these offenses.
"The cloning and defacing of number plates affects road safety and provides cover for criminals. We are working with the police, the DVLA and other partners to crack down on these crimes." – Home Office
Amazon responded by removing all products from the seven scrutinized companies and halting sales of number plates except for novelty items. This decisive action underscores the platform's commitment to legal compliance.
"We take compliance with the law very seriously and are committed to upholding all legal and regulatory requirements for the supply of number plates." – Meena Supplies Ltd
The issue has garnered attention from lawmakers as well. Ruth Cadbury, Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth, expressed significant concern over the findings. She noted the delayed release of a report by the Home Office into car cloning, which was anticipated to be published last year.
"We're still waiting for the outcome of that report, our understanding is a lot of the work was done, I can't believe the recommendations are too tricky to adopt," – Ruth Cadbury, Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth and chair of the Transport Select Committee
Rob Laugharne, managing director at Hills number plates, emphasized the importance of regulatory adherence in the industry. He stated that legitimate suppliers always verify ID and entitlement documents before proceeding with sales.
"The regulations are insisting that you still have to physically see original documentation." – Rob Laugharne, managing director at Hills number plates
In response to these findings, Reg Locker Ltd has committed to retraining all temporary staff to prevent future compliance oversights.
"All temporary staff will be retrained in order that no such oversight ever occurs again." – Reg Locker Ltd
The DVLA reinforced the necessity for public vigilance in identifying non-compliant suppliers. They encouraged individuals to report any cases where ID checks are bypassed directly to local Trading Standards.
"A legitimate supplier will always ask to see ID and entitlement documents before selling a number plate. Where this doesn't happen, members of the public can report this directly to their local Trading Standards." – DVLA