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Re-issue of Void Numbers

The reissue of numbers previously used was frowned upon after 1920 and the only noteworthy exceptions before 1955 were QQ 1000-9999 and the Middlesex blocks originally allocated to armoured vehicles of the War Department.

However, in response to a growing desire for "cherished" numbers, in 1955 the Ministry of Transport instructed local authorities that they could, on request, and on payment of the then statutory fee of £5 for a cherished transfer, re-issue a registration mark and number if they were satisfied that the vehicle to which it had been originally issued had either been destroyed or permanently exported. This concession was discontinued in 1962.

Thereafter the reissue of used numbers was confirmed to the special marks for heads of diplomatic missions and to veteran and vintage vehicles of genuine historic interest; Bournemouth was prominent in reissuing a number of EL's for this purpose, especially in the EL 1xxx range. This practice ceased with the introduction of "Age-Related" marks in 1983.

It has been suggested by several Registration Authorities that in order to avoid the allotment of additional Index Marks, the proper course is for them to search the old registers, cancel registrations which appear to be dead, and reissue the numbers. The Minister, however, is not in favour of the adoption of this procedure - at any rate, for the present." Circular RF 150, 2.3.22

The arrangement for the issue of void marks was discontinued by the Minister in 1962. No void mark should therefore be reissued by a Council unless they are expressly authorised to do so by the Driving and Motor Licenses Division of the Ministry to certain exceptional circumstances.

A reconditioned vehicle of this kind, (i.e. a "Veteran" car), would, of course be entitled to keep the original registration mark if it had been registered under the Motor Car Act of 1903, but where it is impossible to produce evidence to this effect or the vehicle is a "rebuild" it is allotted a registration mark from the current series. In view of the spceial Construction & Use arrangements it has been agreed that it would be desirable to allocate an index mark more appropriate to the vehicle's age. Councils are asked, therefore, to give sympathetic consideration to any requests for appropriate numbers for these vehicles. Because of the ban on the reissue of void marks imposed by the Minister in 1962 it will be desirable to refer any case to this Department where it is not possible to meet such a request from unused marks in an earlier series. Consideration will then be given to the reissue of a "void" mark to meet the exceptional circumstances. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that this should not be regarded as a relaxation of the ban on the reissue of "void" marks. Only a very small number of vehicles should fail to be dealt with under the foregoing paragraph. M.o.T "Handbook", 1965 edition.