Guidance

How DVLA uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Information on how DVLA uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

Documents

Details

DVLA uses ANPR technology to help detect and deter vehicle excise duty evasion throughout the UK.

Updates to this page

Published 9 January 2015
Last updated 26 February 2026 + show all updates
  1. ANPR data on untaxed vehicles is stored by DVLA for up to 18 months.

  2. Change of contact name and address details and switch from a PDF to HTML document.

  3. First published.

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