The market in the United Kingdom is dominated by DVLA number plates but it was not always so. The DVLA only entered the market twenty years ago, there are dealers who have been around much longer than that. Initially the DVLA was only responsible for the registration of new cars sold and imports into the country from abroad as well as administering the transfer of registration numbers between vehicles. Then 20 years ago they decided to get involved in the sale of registration numbers which is very unusual for a government agency and called for changes in legislation as well as a dedicated unit called the sale of marks unit. Now, 20 years later they dominate the market and most motorists think of them first instead of the dealers who started the whole industry up from nothing. The dealers still have a lot to offer as the DVLA do not offer a resale service meaning people who have bought from them cannot ask them to sell their number when they have tired of it or want to upgrade to a better registration. Dealers are also the only ones allowed to sell registrations which have been issued to vehicles and then removed to be sold on to newer cars and motorbikes.