The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency published updated guidance on 27 April explaining that operators can view and download replacement plating documents online free of charge. The £13 fee still applies to operators who apply by form.
The online service lets operators view and download a replacement plating certificate and ministry plate when the originals have been lost or damaged. Current and previous MOT certificates can also be downloaded from the same service.
The replacement comes as a single A4 PDF containing an A5 plating certificate and an A5 plate. Operators must print the document and cut it into the two separate parts. Any colour of A4 paper can be used, DVSA says, provided all parts of the plate and certificate remain clear to read.
DVSA recommends laminating the paper plate to protect it, although this is not a legal requirement.
Display rules unchanged
The change is administrative, not regulatory. The plate still has to be displayed inside the cab of an HGV or on the chassis of a trailer. It must be securely fixed in a position that is easy to see and read, and it must remain legible at all times.
The plating certificate itself can be kept with the rest of the vehicle paperwork, either at the operator’s office or in the vehicle.
Operators who cannot use the online service can still apply for replacement documents by form. That route costs £13, with DVSA aiming to process applications within five days before emailing the replacements for printing.
Free download does not remove display duty
The new service strips out a small but recurring admin cost for fleets that lose or damage plating documents. The trade-off is that operators using the free download still have to make sure the printed plate is properly displayed and remains legible in service.
A faded, damaged, or unreadable plate can still cause problems at the roadside, regardless of whether it was downloaded for free or obtained through the paid-for route.
