Validation Characters

[snowdragon]

hi, I have just got my car tax reminder come and wanted to know about the Validation Character.

It says Q, any idea what it means please

[sgtbush]

Vehicles are assigned "Q" prefix registration numbers to draw attention to the fact that their origins or age are uncertain. "Q" numbers are therefore non-transferable and must remain with the vehicle unless documentary evidence which confirms its origins / age comes to light.

 

In this case, the evidence should be sent to your nearest VRO who may then assign a replacement age-related number to the vehicle.

[CrappoMan]

Its nothing to do with the Registration Number, it's part of the D.V.L.A.'s anti-fraud system to make forgery more difficult. It's a random character, generated when the document is printed, and is stored in the database against that document.

 

DVLA will ask you for the validation character for all queries relating to a particular document. If the character you provide doesn't match what they have logged against that document, they know the document is a forgery.

 

If someone tries to clone your car registration number, for example, you can confirm it's actually yours, by giving the D.V.L.A. the validation character on your V5. A criminal can't, because they don't have your V5

[snowdragon]

oh right thank you, never noticed it before but this is only second time I have had to tax it as had car end of last year and did it for 6 months, I know it costs more to do it that way but hey ho!