(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Vehicles Crime (Registration of Registration Plate Suppliers) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002.

The Regulations—

a

define the expressions “fixed”, “registration certificate” and “registration document” and exempt from being considered as the selling of registration plates the transfer of possession of a registration plate by virtue of a sale or transfer of the vehicle to which it is fixed where the plate has not been fixed to that vehicle by or on behalf of the seller thereof (regulation 2(2) and (3));

b

provide that there is no requirement to obtain information regarding the connection of a purchaser to a vehicle or to verify the name and address where the registration plate is fixed to a vehicle which is sold or transferred (regulation 2(4));

c

provide that registered persons no longer have to retain records relating to payment methods (regulation 2(5)(a)(i));

d

require registered suppliers of registration plates to record particulars or numbers unique to the purchaser of a registration plate from documents used to verify that person’s name and address and provide for the recording of reference numbers from registration documents or certificates (regulation 2(5)(a)(ii) and (b));

e

provide that in the absence of a photocard driving licence the name and address of the purchaser are to be verified by one or more specified documents which meet specified requirements and make additions to the list of documents which may be used for such purpose (regulation 2(6)); and

f

make some corrections and additions to the list of documents which may be used to establish a connection with the registration mark or vehicle (regulation 2(7)).

A full Regulatory Impact Assessment of the effect that these Regulations will have on the costs of business is available from the Crime Reduction Group at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea, SA99 7JL (telephone number: 01792 765197; fax: 01792 765206). A copy has been placed in the library of both Houses of Parliament. The Assessment may also be found by visiting the DVLA website at www.dvla.gov.uk.