Greater Manchester Fire Service Matador recovery vehicle taken in approx 1976. The trade plates were surrendered when it was registered PNF4W. (Ian Moore)

Aidan Fisher & Ken Reid write ... DVLA rules changed in 1980 and many operators lost their free road tax perk on their recovery and service vehicles. As it was no longer possible to run a vehicle permanently or occasionally on trade plates garages all over the country had to go out and register their breakdown/recovery trucks at the correct revenue rate!