The DVLA introduced the register of number plate suppliers in January 2003 to regulate the supply of number plates and reduce the opportunity for criminals to obtain false plates to disguise the identity of stolen vehicles, or use vehicles for criminal activity. The scheme applies to all number plates including private number plates, personalised number plates, cherished numbers and private plates. Initially the scheme applied only to England and Wales, but powers contained in section 46 of the road Safety Act 2006 enable it to be extended to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Register of suppliers Scotland and Northern Ireland will commence on 1st August 2008. There will be a three month window to enable suppliers to register. Prosecutions for non-registration or failure to comply will commence November 1st 2008.
From 1st November 2008 it will become an offence to supply number plates that do not comply with the road vehicles act (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. There is a maximum penalty of £2,500 and/or suspension from the register for up to 5 years. This offence will apply throughout the United Kingdom.

The Regulations specify the typeface, size and colouring   of a number plate. In order to comply with the British Standard each number plate must be permanently and legibly marked only with the following:
•    The British Standard Number
•    The name, trademark or other means of identification of the number plate manufacturer or component supplier:and
•    The name and Postcode of the supplying outlet
The DVLA in its enforcement operation will concentrate its efforts on preventing the supply of plates that :-
•    Use a non-standard font or mis-space the characters, making the vehicle they are fitted to more difficult to identify; and
•    Display the registration mark in such a way or display slogans that could be construed as inappropriate or offensive.