How To Fit New Number Plates To Your Vehicle

You don't have to be a mechanic to replace the number plates on your vehicle. Whether you are fitting new ones or replacing broken, lost or stolen ones, this article will guard you through the process from start to finish.

There will usually be just two scenarios where you find yourself needing to change a number plate on a vehicle. Firstly, exchanging an existing one and secondly, replacing a broken, lost or stolen one. In either case you will need very few tools and very little technical expertise.

Before you start keep in mind that the front number plate is the white one and the yellow one goes on the back (That sounds obvious, I know, but its a surprisingly easy mistake to make). Also that if you are replacing your original number plates with a personalized registration then before you fit the new plates to your car you must assign the registration to the vehicle. If you don t then the registration is not legal and you could end up with a fine and points on your license.

To assign the registration you must fill out the appropriate parts of the V750 certificate and then send it or take it in person with the required documents to your nearest D.V.L.A. Local Office. The sections of the certificate to be filled in will depend upon your particular circumstances. A step by step explanation of all these sections, as seen on the back of the V750 certificate, can be found in the Regfinder.net Help Index under the heading of Ordering a Number Plate from D.V.L.A. and you will find details of your nearest D.V.L.A. Local Office in the Got a Question? pages of the D.V.L.A. website.


(Scenario 1)
Exchanging your existing number plate.


You will need:

1. A cordless or electric drill

2. A 4mm to 6mm drill bit

3. A Philip s screw driver


Doing the Job:

1. Remove the original plate from the vehicle (Pop open the plastic caps and undo the screws)

2. Place the original plate exactly on top of the new one and drill holes in the new one using the original number plate holes as a template.

3. Screw new number plate to the vehicle using the original holes in the bumper (Don t forget to put the plastic caps on the screws first).


(Scenario 2)
Replacing your broken, lost or stolen number plate.
(If you don’t have the original one to use as a template)


You will need:

1; A cordless or electric drill

2; A 4mm to 6mm drill bit

3; A Philip's screw driver

4. A small amount of grease or anything of that texture (jam will do)


Doing the Job:

1; Unscrew the old plates. (or find placement screws if lost or stolen)

2; Put the old screws back in (without the plastic cap).

3; Put a blob of grease’ or jam on the screw heads.

4; Offer up the new number plate centrally until it touches the two screw heads.

5; Remove the screws.

6; Carefully, drill the new plates where the grease blobs appear. Remember you will be drilling from the back of the number plate so don t apply too much pressure or you may damage the front as the drill bit goes through.

7; Screw the new plate on. (Don t forget to put the plastic caps on the screws first).


If you re still uncertain about this process then its probably a better idea to go down to your local mechanic or car body shop and offer one of the lads 20 pounds to fit the number plates for you. It should only take him half an hour and you will probably find that he will supply any new plastic caps or screws that may be required.

Reg