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If you think your vehicle has been cloned

Cloning involves the copying of the identity of a similar (non-stolen) vehicle already on the road. Criminals find an exact match of the car they have stolen and replace the number plates on the vehicle with false number plates.

If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned, the following points will help you avoid becoming a victim of further crime.

What you need to do

If you think you have been the victim of vehicle cloning you should:

• return any fines or correspondence to the issuing authorities providing them with any documentary evidence you have
• write to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea, SA99 1ZA or fax them on 01792 783 083, they will record your correspondence.
• contact the police, it is a matter for them to trace and prosecute the culprit to prevent this illegal activity from continuing

What happens next

DVLA will consider issuing a new registration mark on request if satisfied that there is a genuine case of vehicle cloning. Acceptable evidence might include applications to register and licence a vehicle from someone other than the registered keeper.

What is being done to stop cloning?

As part of the government’s drive to reduce vehicle related crime, DVLA has implemented measures to seek to address the problem.

The introduction of the Registered Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) scheme means that:

• all current number plate suppliers in the United Kingdom must register with DVLA
• registered suppliers must keep a record of every sale
• documentary evidence of the customer's name and address and entitlement to the registration mark requested, must be obtained

A team of DVLA enforcement officers works closely with police and trading standards colleagues to help ensure number plate suppliers adhere to the rules.

Intelligence led enforcement action is taken against those in breach of the requirements, including prosecution, fines and removal from the number plate suppliers register.

This has introduced much greater control over the supply of number plates.

To help tackle the theft of number plates, DVLA has led the development of an agreed voluntary standard for theft-resistant plates. Once these plates are detached from a vehicle they cannot be used again. They are now available from a number of outlets.

Please contact your local car dealer for further information.

More useful links

• Advice on buying a vehicle

• Vehicle identity check