Trade Plate Cost UK How Much Are Trade Plates — and What Else Costs Money?
There are two different “trade plate cost” questions: the DVLA cost of holding a trade licence, and the commercial cost of paying a company to move a vehicle using trade plates. They are not the same thing, and the official licence fee can change.
This guide supports Rapid Vehicle Delivery’s trade plate delivery service. Where a rule or fee can change, use the linked GOV.UK/DVLA source as the final authority rather than relying on an old blog post.
Rapid Vehicle Delivery
Driven vehicle delivery on trade plates, based in the East Midlands and covering mainland UK.
Use the Current Official Fee — Not an Old Blog Number
Trade-licence fees are set through the DVLA system and can change. For that reason this page deliberately does not hard-code an annual fee that could become stale while still ranking in search.
For the current cost, application periods and payment instructions, use the official GOV.UK trade licence plate guidance.
The broader cost of operating with trade plates may also include appropriate motor-trade insurance, administration, drivers, fuel and the systems needed to inspect and document vehicle movements.
Paying for Trade Plate Delivery Is Not the Same as Buying Trade Plates
If you only need one vehicle moved, you may be searching for “trade plate cost” when what you really need is a delivery price.
£84 inc. VAT
£96 inc. VAT
£168 inc. VAT
+ £2.50/mile
Route, Vehicle Type and Movement Method Matter More Than the Plate Itself
Distance
The collection and delivery postcodes define the route and are the starting point for a delivery price.
Vehicle class
A car, van and 7.5 tonne vehicle are priced differently because the movement requirements differ.
Driven vs transported
Non-runners, no-MOT vehicles and mileage-sensitive vehicles may need a transported quote instead of a driven one.
Continue the Trade Plate Guide
These pages divide the topic by search intent so each question has one clear owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers one part of the wider trade plate topic. Use the official GOV.UK source for current legal requirements and fees.
How much are trade plates?
The DVLA trade-licence fee can change. Use the current GOV.UK guidance for the official amount and application period.
Is trade plate delivery charged per mile?
RVD prices standard driven movements by route and vehicle type; use the calculator for the actual route. Transported delivery starts from £150 + VAT plus £2.50 per mile.
Can I hire trade plates instead of paying for delivery?
RVD does not hire or lend its plates. It provides the vehicle movement service using its own trade plates where appropriate.
How much does a car trade plate delivery cost?
Standard driven car movements start from £70 + VAT (£84 inc. VAT), with the actual price depending on the route and job details.
Does a longer journey always cost the same per mile?
Route pricing is not simply a fixed plate fee. Use the calculator for the specific collection and delivery postcodes.
Need a Vehicle Moved on Trade Plates?
Rapid Vehicle Delivery provides driven vehicle movements for dealers, traders, fleets and private customers where a driven movement is suitable.