In
response to many enquiries, the Trust has produced this document
listing its own holding of Motor Taxation records and also all other
surviving records known to the Trust. This list is based on that
originally compiled by the late L.H. Newall whose pioneer work is
gratefully acknowledged.
What
are the records?
The bulk of the surviving records of the former Local Authority
Motor Taxation Offices fall into three categories:
(1) Registers covering the period up to the end of 1920. These
usually quoted comprehensive details relating to the name and address
of the registrant and particulars of the vehicle, together with date of
registration.
(2) Allocation books introduced in 1921, essentially for recording
the allocation of registration marks to dealers or owners. The amount
of information recorded varied widely, some recorded as much detail as
the pre-1921 registers, while at the other end of the scale most
recorded merely the name of the dealer and the date of allocation
and/or first licensing. The term "registers" is frequently used to
describe what are really allocation books.)
(3) The record cards introduced in 1921, the main purpose of which
was to record with the "home" authority the office at which the vehicle
was currently registered. The cards were variants of the basic MoT
form RF 16, later VE 16 and latterly VC2 (which recorded the transfer
of records to the central computer). When a vehicle was written off
some LTOs raised a “Last Owner” card with basic details of the vehicle
and last owner. Other cards show no more than the make and taxation
class of the vehicle.
Using
the records
Enquiries
about specific vehicles can usually be answered by post. Local
authority archives have limited resources and some of the other
voluntary organizations mentioned are charities or individuals so
please always enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your enquiry.
Persons wishing to undertake more extensive research at County Record
Offices are advised to contact them in advance to ascertain times of
opening and any conditions relating to the records in question. In
particular, note that public access to the card indexes is often
restricted either for security reasons or because they are housed in
cabinets which cannot be brought to the public search rooms.
Are
we wrong?
Further
records occasionally come to light or records are transferred whilst
addresses and especially telephone numbers do change from time to
time. The Trust would appreciate being informed of any additional or
altered information so that we can update this list.
What if I don't know who issued a particular series? Click on Issuing Authorities if you wish to see a summary list registration marks showing the issuing authorities.
Layout
The
list is in alphabetical order of issuing authority. There are three separate pages, England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Abbreviations
used in this list:
CRO County Record
Office
GIM General Identification
Mark (the forerunner of Trade Plates)
HMC Heavy Motor
Car (i.e. vehicles over two tons unladen)
MTO Motor Taxation
Office (in Ireland)
RO Record Office
TP Trade Plate
VRO Vehicle Registration
Office (renamed Local Office from 2001)
