Quick Steps To Get Your Northern Irish Number Plates

The DVLA manages Northern Irish car registration since the region is part of the UK. This means that registered English suppliers of vehicle plates can issue out Northern Irish number plates. Vehicle plates issued in Northern Ireland are valid in any country in the UK.

Below, you will learn about the vehicle registration process and how to get your Northern Irish license plate.

How Does Northern Irish Car Registration System Work?

Before you can successfully register an imported Northern Irish car, you need to pay HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). This applies if you imported the vehicle from the EU, are a private individual, or are not registered for VAT. 

Follow these procedures for all new registrations:

• You will fill in a V55/4 form if the car you want to register is new. On the other hand, the V55/5 form is the alternative document for used vehicles, whether imported or old.
• The next step in the application process is to provide identity documents that show your name and address. Your passport, marriage or divorce certificate, and birth certificate are examples of documents that can prove your name.

You can confirm your address using a recent utility bill or medical card.

• The DVLA will request supporting documents which you will submit alongside the identity documents. Here is a list of the documents to send:

1. Vehicle tax payment.
2. Registration fee for those not exempt.
3. MOT certificate for cars over 4 years.
4. A certificate of newness for new vehicles.
5. Related documents eg; a build plan for newly-built cars.
6. An insurance certificate or cover note.
7. Proof of Vehicle Approval unless your car is exempt.

A Certificate of Conformity for the vehicle can be used in place of a Vehicle Type Approval. Without it, the DVLA won’t proceed with the registration so book for yours.

• Imported, old vehicles, rebuilt, and classic vehicles require supporting documents. For imported vehicles, you will have to present evidence showing the date you collected the vehicle. An original foreign registration certificate is also needed.
• After application, the DVLA might inspect your vehicle and send you a V5C certificate which shows that your registration has been approved.

How To Apply For Northern Irish Number Plates?

After a successful vehicle registration, you will receive a log book (V5C registration certificate) which is the document required to make Northern Irish number plates.

A registered number plate supplier will make the plates ready after they see the original documents that prove your name and address.

Any of the following documents from the exhaustive list can show you are eligible to use the registration number:

• Retention document.
• Temporary registration certificate.
• Vehicle registration certificate.
• A DVLA-stamped number plate authorisation certificate.
• Certificate of entitlement or V750.

How Much Does Car Registration In Northern Ireland Cost?

All new vehicle registrations attract a fee of £55 which you will pay to the DVLA by cheque or postal order.

The HMRC charges duty on imported vehicles from outside the UK or EU. The fees vary depending on the vehicle type and where you’re importing it from. 

What Do Northern Irish Car Number Plates Look Like?

Northern Irish number plates at the rear have black characters on a yellow background. Front plates feature black characters on a white background. Another distinguishing feature is the space between the letters and numbers in Nothern Irish plates at the rear.

The international vehicle code, ‘UK’ on the plate sits at the bottom left but including this national identifier is not compulsory. The plates measure 520 mm × 111 mm (20.5 in × 4.4 in).

Format Of Northern Irish Number Plates 

From 1966 to date, Northern Irish plates follow the ‘AXX 1234’ format. ‘XX’ represents the country code and the ‘A’ is a serial letter. The numbers that follow the ‘AXX’ section run from 1-9999.

This combination means that plates in Northern Ireland fall under the “dateless” number format. The registrations are dateless and can be assigned to cars of any age.

Number plates issued before September 2021 must contain the national identifier, (‘UK’), to be acceptable.

What Types Of Northern Irish License Plates Exist?

Northern Ireland does not permit the use of number plates that contain the UK national flag or country codes. Any plate that features these codes is unofficial.

Northern Irish Custom Number Plates

The DVLA also handles Northern Irish number plate customization. A regular Northern Irish plate contains the letters ‘I’ or ‘Z’ so you can create a slogan from the characters.

Certain features like character spacing and style are fixed.

COC Availability Checker

You can check your COC availability by inserting
the VIN into our new COC availability checker.

Check now