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Why won't my BMW dealer make my personal plates to my own layout requirements?

I have purchased a personalised registration from DVLA to put on a new BMW. I requested a certain layout for the plates i.e. EG slight space 63 slight space JAD (EG 63 JAD) but the BMW dealer had already made the plates and put them on the car a week before I was due to collect it. I queried this, as I was being charged £25 for the plates. The dealer said that they were only allowed to produce the plates a certain way and they could not supply a plate as I requested. Is this correct? He said that I could go to another plate supplier later with the appropriate registration documents and have a new set made to my layout.

Asked on 7 December 2013 by JD, via email

Answered by Honest John
Yes, what the dealer told you is correct. There is a strict rule about this. It's not very heavily enforced, but obviously a dealer will not take the risk whereas some backstreet guy might. And why would you want to take the risk of a fine and points for illegal plates?
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