If you’re planning a vehicle fleet wrap to refresh your branding, we find that one question comes up again and again: who do we need to tell? In the UK, there are a few important stakeholders to consider; such as insurers, the DVLA (in some circumstances) and your leasing/finance provider.
This guide explains what to declare, when to declare it, and how Joyce Design helps you to stay compliant whilst ensuring that your fleet stands out on the road.*
Do You Need To Tell Your Insurer About A Vehicle Fleet Wrap?
Yes, always. A wrap counts as a modification in insurance terms, even if it’s purely cosmetic branding or signwriting. Major UK insurers tell drivers and fleets to declare any changes to the vehicle from factory specification. Failing to do so runs the risk of a rejected claim or even full cancellation of the policy.
If you choose to declare a vehicle fleet wrap upfront, it also helps to ensure that the wrap itself is covered (in case of accidental damage), and that any increased risk (perceived theft-attractiveness, higher replacement cost) is correctly priced.
What to provide to your insurer:
- A brief description of the vehicle fleet wrap (full/partial, reflective elements if any)
- Material specification (such as premium cast wrap or protective overlaminate)
- Replacement value of the graphics per vehicle (useful for claims)
- Installer details (Joyce Design; 3M™ Platinum Select Partner )
Do You Need To Tell The DVLA?
This will depend entirely on the type of vehicle wrap. However, a tip from the team would be: If you’re doing a phased national rebrand on a large fleet that will change the main colour, plan the V5C updates by batch and build the paperwork into your rollout schedule to stay on top of everything.
- Full colour change: For example, if a white van becomes predominantly pink across all main body panels, then you must update your V5C logbook, because colour is a DVLA-recorded vehicle attribute. The GOV.UK guidance explicitly lists colour amongst the details that you need to update if it changes. For the administrative steps when you do change colour, see section 1 in your V5C logbook (section 7 for older books).
- Branding that doesn’t change the vehicle’s main colour: For example, logos, contact details, stripes, partial panels). In practice, where the vehicle’s main colour remains the same, you will not need to update the V5C. The legal trigger is a change of colour recorded on the logbook; if you haven’t changed the main colour, the DVLA update requirement generally doesn’t apply.
What If The Vehicles Are Leased Or On Contract Hire?
It’s important to check the lease or finance agreement before you wrap. Most providers allow vinyl wraps, but they often require written permission and professional removal before returning the vehicle(s).
Best practice:
- Get written approval from the funding or vehicle provider.
- Keep pre-wrap photos and paint condition records.
- Budget time for removal at end of the vehicle term.
Vehicle Wrap Compliance Checklist
A vehicle fleet wrap must never compromise legal markings or driver visibility. It’s essential to consider the below in your initial brief. At Joyce Design, our design and installation teams include these checks as standard so your new livery will not only be striking, but road-legal.
- Number plates: Must remain unobstructed and compliant. Don’t wrap over plates or alter them with vinyl.
- Windows: If you’re applying any film to glazing, ensure that the front windscreen and front side windows meet minimum light transmission (75% and 70% respectively). Rear glazing has more flexibility.
- Lights, sensors, and safety devices: Do not obstruct lights, indicators, cameras or ADAS/lidar/radar sensors.
- Reflective and chevron requirements (motorway works vehicles): If your fleet operates on or near the motorway, ensure that Chapter 8 markings remain visible post-wrap.
Why Choose A Vehicle Fleet Wrap? (H2)
Beyond compliance, a thoughtfully planned vehicle fleet wrap offers a range of marketing benefits:
- Brand consistency: Aligns every depot, dealership or region under one recognisable brand.
- Paint protection: High-quality cast films protect your vehicle’s paint from minor abrasions and UV.
- Cost-effective: Well-maintained wraps come off cleanly, helping to maintain the value of your vehicles.
- Refresh your brand: Update vehicles without a sustained period of downtime
- Environmental options: Joyce Design offers 3M Envision 480mC, made in part with bio-based materials and manufactured with 58% less solvent.
Why Choose Joyce Design For Fleet Wrapping?
Joyce Design is a 3M™ Platinum Select Partner, a certification which is awarded to only 4 UK companies that meet stringent quality and installation standards. Your project will benefit from:
- Premium 3M™ materials that are designed for fleet applications (excellent durability and colour performance).
- 3M™ Endorsed Installers for precision fitting and long service life.
- 3M™ MCS Warranty on matched component systems for proven, repeatable quality.
- Temperature-controlled fitting bays, or the option for installation at your depot or dealership.
A Simple Declaration Checklist
Use this quick checklist during your decision-making process:
- Insurance: Notify your insurer of the wrap and provide vehicle values and installer details. Confirm cover for accidental damage to graphics.
- DVLA (colour change only): If the main colour changes, batch your V5C updates and send to the DVLA as vehicles are wrapped.
- Leasing/Finance: Obtain written permission and confirm end-of-term removal regulations.
- Compliance: Ensure that the design doesn’t obstruct plates, lights, cameras, or front glazing light-transmission limits; apply Chapter 8 conspicuity where required.
- Records: Keep a central file with: specs, colours, proofs, installation dates, photos and warranties; this can speed up accident repair. At Joyce Design we also always make a record so that new wraps can be created and installed quickly.
How Joyce Design Assists With Compliance
A vehicle fleet wrap is one of the most efficient ways to deliver a fresh, consistent brand across your network, without pulling vehicles off the road for long. Joyce Design can support not only with the design and installation but can also help by building declarations and compliance checks into your rollout, including:
- Insurance pack: A summary of materials, installer credentials, graphics values.
- DVLA batching: Schedule V5C updates if you’re changing the main colour.
- Leasing liaison: Supply approval letters, pre-wrap images, and an explanation of wrap removal methods.
If you’re thinking about a fleet vehicle wrap and would like more information about the process and benefits, get in touch today and let us help you to stand out on the road. You can call the Joyce Design team on 01245 283 843 or email us at enquiries@joycedesign.co.uk.
*All information has been fact-checked as of August 2025, but please check with your individual insurer for personalised guidance.
