Registering trailer to take to Europe

The rehctub

The rehctub

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Sep 20, 2014
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Monday I registered my trailer to enable me to take it into Europe ( France ) very easy operation and received my number plate new number.
Big problem I have is it consist of 8 digits so has to be a square ( motorcycle style ) plate. And no where within 30 miles in Bedfordshire can make them. Even DVLA can direct me to get them made. Any sensible help will be appreciated
 
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Someone got their plates from Halfords. There was also a mail order company mentioned on the other thread about this matter.
 
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The rehctub said:
Monday I registered my trailer to enable me to take it into Europe ( France ) very easy operation and received my number plate new number.
Big problem I have is it consist of 8 digits so has to be a square ( motorcycle style ) plate. And no where within 30 miles in Bedfordshire can make them. Even DVLA can direct me to get them made. Any sensible help will be appreciated
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Please correct me if I'm wrong but aren't all modern UK registration numbers eight characters if you count the space?

I'm also assuming that you are using the trailer commercially following all the discussions on here recently about the need to register a trailer. If you are does it need any form of MOT etc?
 
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rod_vw said:
Please correct me if I'm wrong but aren't all modern UK registration numbers eight characters if you count the space?

I'm also assuming that you are using the trailer commercially following all the discussions on here recently about the need to register a trailer. If you are does it need any form of MOT etc?
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Every time I order a plate I’m told there’s one too many characters
rod_vw said:
Please correct me if I'm wrong but aren't all modern UK registration numbers eight characters if you count the space?

I'm also assuming that you are using the trailer commercially following all the discussions on here recently about the need to register a trailer. If you are does it need any form of MOT etc?
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Every time I try to order a plate for the trailer I’m told possible as it has 1 too many characters ( 8 in total ) no help from dvla . My trailer isn’t for commercial use I just use it to take a small car behind my motor home to France
 
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Ebay...

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Look in ebay. Just type in "square number plates". You can get legal ones by providing reg details or get show one's that are just meant for show. But they're just like real no plates 😉.
 
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The rehctub said:
Monday I registered my trailer to enable me to take it into Europe ( France ) very easy operation and received my number plate new number.
Big problem I have is it consist of 8 digits so has to be a square ( motorcycle style ) plate. And no where within 30 miles in Bedfordshire can make them. Even DVLA can direct me to get them made. Any sensible help will be appreciated
Click to expand...

I see you’re from Luton…

As you head North out of Bury Park towards Leagrave there are several ‘independent’ motor factors you can try!
 
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hja said:
Someone got their plates from Halfords. There was also a mail order company mentioned on the other thread about this matter.
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Just bought a normal shape one from Amazon for £12 and it arrived in two days, I guess that other shapes are available.
 
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The rehctub said:
As of 26 August 2025, all trailers and caravans weighing over 750kg must be registered with the DVLA
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I thought all of this had been done to death a few days ago and wasn't required for personal use trailers into Europe
www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Trailers over 750kgs into Europe as of 26/8/25

Please be aware all drivers towing trailers and I presume ??? caravans, over 750kgs into Europe as from today, re the gov website updated today 27/08/25. Apparently ALL trailers over 750kgs if going abroad (except Ireland) must now be registered with there own number plate obtainable from gov...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
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Presumably it doesn't have to comply with the normal DVSA rules as it's only valid abroad so just but a show plate.

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If the customs see it with a unique registration will they want to stop it and class it as a commercial import / export vehicle then require commercial documents for everything that is on it?
It sounds to me that it could open a whole new can of worms!
 
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I need to get one for my caravan, but I think it's supposed to be illuminated, and not close to the towing vehicle number plate. I'm not sure how to get power to the new plate without drilling holes
 
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As far as I can see, in the UK, it should not be used. In Europe both plates should be used, the second plate away from the vehicle plate and illuminated.

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Odd-no-more said:
but I think it's supposed to be illuminated
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No it isn't . It has to be away from the existing plate. It is not an 'actual' registration plate but a plate to show that it is registered
It has to only be visible in"normal daylight"

read the link in post number 12 it explains it all.
cyberyacht said:
Do you have to display both? I
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yes

read the link in post number 12 it explains it all.
 
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It’s only for commercial trailers here is the actual update on gov.uk
IMG_0423.webp
 
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Speve said:
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The title page of that document says "This guidance has been withdrawn. See the latest guidance at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trailer-registration "

Which leads to this:
1757048869106.webp


Gov.uk is not the law. It is written by civil servants as a way of making the law accessible to people more easily. It can take a while for the media teams to get round to an update, but it seems they have now done this for trailers.
 
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It’s still only for commercial trailers though I’ll let you know how I get on in December when we leave for Spain😊
 
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Tigger-Tim said:
The title page of that document says "This guidance has been withdrawn. See the latest guidance at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trailer-registration "

Which leads to this:
View attachment 1113082

Gov.uk is not the law. It is written by civil servants as a way of making the law accessible to people more easily. It can take a while for the media teams to get round to an update, but it seems they have now done this for trailers.
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I’ve just tried to register my 1750kg gross twin axle car trailer on line at gov.uk and when all details put in this is what it says. I hope this finally settles this debate
IMG_0424.webp
 
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Yes but I think the advice from DfT and DVLA is to continue to register. You dont have to for UK but you risk being stopped in Europe without the registration. A quick google shows lots of commercial companies now quoting the DVLA statement that all trailers over 750kg visiting EU must be registered.
 
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