http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/3/section/18/notesVehiclesVehicle crimeCrimeLegislationScrap metal licencesExplanatory Notes to Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001Home OfficeKing's Printer of Acts of Parliament2014-03-03 3 10 April 2001 35 Section 17 requires any person who carries on a business as a registration (number) plate supplier in England or Wales, and is not an exempt person, to be registered by the Secretary of State.  It would be an offence to conduct business as a registration plate supplier without being registered. 36 Section 18 requires the Secretary of State (in practice the DVLA) to establish and maintain a register of registration plate suppliers containing particulars to be prescribed by regulation.  The Secretary of State may disclose information from the register and may charge a fee for such disclosure. 37 Section 19 provides for applications for registration and empowers the Secretary of State to charge a fee to recover reasonable costs. 38 Sections 20 to 23 provide for the removal or suspension of a registration by a court where a person has been convicted of an offence under this Part and for the cancellation of a registration where the Secretary of State is satisfied that a registered person has not been carrying on business as a registration plate supplier for at least 28 days.  An intention to cancel must be notified and the supplier given a reasonable opportunity to persuade the authority not to proceed.  In the event of cancellation the supplier has a right of appeal exercisable within 21 days.