What does section 24 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 allow motor dealers to do?

Section 24 empowers the Secretary of State to make regulations allowing approved motor dealers to receive bulk allocations of registration marks and assign them directly to individual vehicles. This practical arrangement enables dealers to register vehicles without applying individually for each registration mark from the authorities, streamlining the vehicle registration process.

What happens to a motor dealer's registration mark allocation if the dealer dies or goes bankrupt?

The regulations made under section 24 can address what happens to allocated registration marks if the dealer dies, becomes incapacitated, or goes bankrupt. The regulations may provide for the transfer of allocated marks to another appropriate person or entity in these circumstances, ensuring continuity and proper administration of the marks.

Can a motor dealer challenge the cancellation of a registration mark allocation by the Secretary of State?

Yes. If the Secretary of State cancels an allocation, the dealer has a right to request a review within a prescribed period. The cancellation does not take effect until that period expires, and if a review is requested, the cancellation is suspended until the Secretary of State completes the review and notifies the dealer in writing of the outcome.

Are there restrictions on how a motor dealer assigns registration marks to vehicles under section 24?

Yes. Regulations may restrict when a dealer can assign a mark, require marks to be assigned in a sequence determined by the Secretary of State, and prevent a mark being assigned to a vehicle that already carries one. Dealers must also report prescribed vehicle details to the Secretary of State within a specified timeframe after assignment.

Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 section 24

Assignment of registration marks by motor dealer

Section 24 deals with the power of the Secretary of State to make regulations allowing motor dealers to be allocated batches of registration marks and to assign those marks to vehicles, including the rules governing applications, cancellations, and review rights.

The Secretary of State may make regulations allocating registration marks in bulk to approved motor dealers, who may then assign those marks to individual vehicles.
Regulations can cover the application process, transfer of allocated marks (for example on the dealer's death, incapacity, or bankruptcy), and cancellation of allocations.
Regulations may restrict when a dealer can assign a mark, require marks to be assigned in a specified sequence, prevent a mark being assigned to a vehicle that already has one, and require the dealer to report prescribed vehicle details to the Secretary of State within a set period.
If the Secretary of State rejects a dealer's application or cancels an allocation, the dealer has a right to request a review within a prescribed period, and the cancellation cannot take effect until that review process is complete.

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