Whenever you are registering a vehicle in the UK you will deal with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) who deal with all motor vehicle registrations.  If your vehicle is going to be operated on public roads, the UK government requires that you register it in order for it to be legally operable.  Vehicles that have been registered are provided with an index number that is unique to the vehicle and it must be properly displayed on the specified registration plates of that vehicle.  Additionally, when you purchase a new vehicle, a “vehicle first registration fee” will be required so that it is entered onto the vehicle register.  If applicable, the current fee is £55. 

You also need to be aware of what is known as a Low Emission Zone or LEZ, which is an area that is geographically defined.  These exist to deter or restrict the operation of polluting vehicles in order to improve and maintain better air quality.  The LEZ came into effect in February of 2008, the establishment of which was announced by the Mayor of London.

Those vehicles that are classified as being non-polluting include all-electric vehicles as well as those that are labelled as “plug-in” or regular hybrids (vehicles which operate by virtue of multiple fuel and power sources).  Registration forms for LEZ vehicles can be downloaded online or can be obtained by requesting them by telephone.  Today, the largest Low Emission Zone in the world is the Greater London area.