Replace HGV or trailer plating certificates or ministry plates
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-10)

Apply to get replacement heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or trailer plating certificates or ministry plates if the originals have been lost or damaged.

It’s free and quicker to download a replacement MOT certificate, ministry plate or plating certificate online (https://www.gov.uk/replacing-lost-damaged-mot-certificate) rather than apply for a replacement.

If the original has been lost or damaged for your HGV or trailer, use this form to apply for a replacement:
- ministry plate (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hgv-and-trailer-ministry-plates-and-plating-certificates/hgv-and-trailer-ministry-plates-and-plating-certificates) (VTG 6A for vehicles and VTG 6T for trailers)
- plating certificate (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hgv-and-trailer-ministry-plates-and-plating-certificates/hgv-and-trailer-ministry-plates-and-plating-certificates) (VTG 7A for vehicles and VTG 7T for trailers)
- MOT certificate (VTG 5)
It costs £13.

How to send your application

Apply online

Download and save the form on your computer.

Fill in the form.

Use the service to apply for a vehicle test or certificate for a lorry or trailer (https://www.gov.uk/apply-vehicle-test-certificate-lorry-trailer) to send the form to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Pay the application fee by credit or debit card (DVSA will email you to tell you how to pay after you’ve applied), or using a pre-funded account (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vosa-pre-funded-customer-account-application-form).

Apply by post

Download and fill in the form and post it to DVSA.

Replacements SectionDVSAThe EllipsePadley RoadSwanseaSA1 8AN

What happens next

DVSA aims to process your application in 5 days if you have filled in the form correctly. If you have not received the replacements by then, you should contact DVSA.

DVSA customer service centre Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

If you’ve applied for a replacement plate and plating certificate, you can still use your vehicle or trailer for national journeys while you’re waiting for the replacement.

However, until you receive the plate and plating certificate, you will not be able to:
- get an MOT
- make international journeys
Print the plate and plating certificate

DVSA will email an A4 PDF document to you. This contains an A5-sized plate and an A5-sized plating certificate on the same page.

You will need to print this out and then cut the paper into its 2 parts.

You can print on any type or colour of A4 paper, as long as all parts of the plate and plating certificate are clear to read. DVSA recommends that you laminate the plate to help protect it, but it is not a requirement.

Save the PDF file so you can print out replacements if the plate or plating certificate are damaged or lost in the future.

Display the plate and keeping the plating certificate

You must display the plate:
- within the vehicle’s cab if it’s an HGV
- on the chassis if it’s a trailer
Fix the plate securely in a position that’s easy to see and read it from. The plate must be clear enough to read at all times.

You can keep the plating certificate with the other vehicle documents (for example, in an office) or in the vehicle.