Cost and reason for private number plates

Summary

The requester asked for the cost, quantity, and justification for private 999 number plates used by the Isle of Man Fire Service over the past 10 years. The Department of Home Affairs disclosed that the plates are a long-standing tradition rather than a strict necessity, but withheld specific cost and quantity data as that information is held by the Department of Infrastructure.

Key Facts

• The use of 999 private number plates is not strictly necessary but is a long-standing tradition for fleet identification.
• Plates are typically reused and transferred to replacement vehicles to maintain continuity.
• The Department of Home Affairs does not hold data on the buying, selling, or registration costs of number plates.
• Responsibility for number plate registration lies with the Department of Infrastructure.
• The requester was directed to contact Shared Fleet Services or the Department of Infrastructure for specific statistics.

Data Disclosed

• 2025-03-25
• 2025-04-24
• 10 years
• 4536573
• 4066713
• 999

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held by the authority (Department of Home Affairs)

Original Request

Good morning, This FOI concerns the Fire Service. I would like the following information covering all vehicles used by the Fire Service from their large appliances to small cars, any road going vehicle used by the fire service. I would like the following details for the past 10 years: 1) why is it necessary for the use of your 999 private number plates? 2) how many road going vehicles have a private number plate? 3) how much has been spent on these private numberplates over the past 10 years? 4) how many vehicles have been bought that were already pre registered that had been assigned a number plate and then re-registered with one of your private 999 number plates? Thank you.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Coordinator DHA Headquarters Tromode Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 5AP

Telephone: (01624) 687017 Web address: www.gov.im/dha
Email: DPO-DHA@dha.gov.im

Our ref: 4536573 24 April 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 25 March 2025, which states:

"Good morning,

This FOI concerns the Fire Service. I would like the following information covering all vehicles used by the Fire Service from their large appliances to small cars, any road going vehicle used by the fire service. I would like the following details for the past 10 years:

1) why is it necessary for the use of your 999 private number plates?

2) how many road going vehicles have a private number plate?

3) how much has been spent on these private numberplates over the past 10 years?

4) how many vehicles have been bought that were already pre registered that had been assigned a number plate and then re-registered with one of your private 999 number plates?

Thank you."

Regarding question 1 of your request, while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. This is due to the buying, selling and registration of number plates falling under the Department of Infrastructure.
To provide advice and assistance, we have provided a statement from the Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service below.
1) Why is it necessary for the use of your 999 private number plates? It is not strictly necessary to use 999 private number plates; however, it has become a long-standing tradition within the Fire & Rescue Service. Firefighting appliances and response vehicles have historically been registered with 999 plates, which has become

a recognised way of identifying specific types of vehicles within the FRS fleet. These plates are typically reused and transferred to replacement vehicles as they enter service, helping to maintain continuity and recognition across the fleet.

Regarding questions 2 - 4 please be advised that you can contact the Shared Fleet Services directly who may be able to assist you further on: fleetservicesadmin.doi@gov.im Alternatively, you can also contact the DOI directly, or raise a Freedom of Information Request following the below link: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/ Further to this, I would also like to make you aware of a previous FOI request which covers some additional information on vehicle registration numbers within the FRS. Case ID 4066713, which can be found on the following link: https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/search Alternatively, you may also find further information on the following link regarding the transfer and cost associated with cherished numbers https://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/drivers-and- vehicles/vehicle-registration-and-licensing/cherished-registration-numbers/ Note for FOI Requests: The Freedom of Information Act 2015 (the “Act”) gives Manx residents the right to access Government information. Information is defined in Section 5 of the Act as “information recorded in any form”. It is recommended Freedom of Information requests should have a specific focus on a public authority’s records/documents.

General queries, or questions as you have raised in this request are better directed to the specific service area or to the relevant public authority.

Please quote the reference number 4536573 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.