The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has said it cannot yet determine the cost of the new vehicle license plates until Parliament officially approves the rollout.

The Authority had intended to introduce new number plates that would drop the year-based suffix and feature Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

The digital plates were designed to enable electronic scanning for vehicle tracking, road tolling, speed monitoring, and law enforcement.

Stephen Attuh, Director of Corporate Affairs at DVLA, made the remarks on the AM Show, clarifying that pricing is tied to parliamentary approval and cannot be set unilaterally by the authority.

“But to place a cost on the license plate, it is only when the plate is out that you can tell the cost of it. You put it before Parliament; if they agree, you go ahead,” Mr Attuh explained, stressing that any service fees at DVLA must first be approved by lawmakers. He added that while the authority has submitted proposals for fees in the past, final approval is required before they can be implemented.

Mr Attuh further clarified that the fees for the new plates are separate from amendments to the legislative instrument (LI) governing vehicle registration.

“Fees do not go with the amendment. Once Parliament approves the rollout, we can then specify the cost per vehicle owner,” he said.

The new plate system, which is expected to introduce modern security features and a refreshed design, has faced delays due to the need for both legal amendments and the formal approval of associated fees.

DVLA has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to operating strictly within the law and ensuring that all regulatory processes are followed before launching the service.

The announcement comes amid strong public interest in the new plates, which are seen as part of broader efforts to modernise vehicle registration, improve road safety, and curb fraudulent practices in the transport sector.

Once approved, vehicle owners will be informed of the official charges before they can register their vehicles under the new system.