whats the gen with these? i know the dvla issue them, but do you have to pay for them?

do they make up the plate to rivet onto a door frame/bonnet shut?

Depends on where you are. I made one up and riveted a plate on.
Some VRO offices insist on allocating one and then inspecting the car.
Never heard of a charge being made.
Give your local office a call and ask which rule book they are using.

John

I was told by my office (Leeds) that they will issue the VIN number although I know that others have made up their own VIN number.

The best thing to do is to phone the local office.

I played the 'naive innocent' when I first contacted the Ipswich office - I made up my own VIN and said "Is this OK?".

When they came back to me that said that it was fine.

David