If a vehicle was not in use when the centralised record was established, DVLA will now have no record of it. In order for DVLA to reissue an original number under the V765 scheme they require a contemporary document which shows both the chassis number and the registration being claimed. The preferred document is an old VE60 or RF60 logbook but other evidence will be considered, this can be, for example, invoice/bill of sale, service book, insurance details or MoT details. A tax disc alone is not acceptable as it does not show the chassis number.
We spoke to Ian Edmunds at the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. He said, 'It appears that in this case no suitable evidence is available. If that is the case the owner will have to apply for a ‘first registration’, that is to say the first registration onto the current system. If suitable evidence of the date of manufacture is provided DVLA will issue an age-related registration. The owner will need to seek the assistance of a relevant club.'