The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will, beginning January 1, 2026, implement a sweeping reform that will see vehicle license plates issued in the names of individual owners, a move authorities say is aimed at tightening road safety and bolstering national security.
Under the new policy, each license plate will be directly linked to its owner rather than the vehicle itself. Upon the transfer of ownership, the previous owner will be required to remove the plate, enabling the new owner to register for a unique number. The DVLA emphasized that the change effectively makes vehicle numbers a form of personal identification.
“The vehicle number becomes your personal responsibility,” the DVLA said in a statement dated October 3. “Owners are obligated to safeguard the plate and ensure its removal upon any transfer of ownership.”
Officials say the reform is designed to create a clear chain of accountability, allowing law enforcement to match vehicle numbers directly with individuals. The agency expects the measure to streamline vehicle tracking and enhance investigative capabilities in the event of crime or traffic violations.
Analysts say the shift could signal broader regulatory tightening in the transport sector, where concerns around unregistered vehicles and weak enforcement mechanisms have persisted.
The DVLA has yet to release specific guidelines for transitioning existing vehicles to the new system.
