Private number plates

How to buy a private number plate

If this is your first time buying a private number plate, it’s important to know a few key details to avoid disappointment. We’ve put together this handy guide to help you understand what’s involved in making your first purchase.

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Before you begin

While buying private number plates opens you up to a whole host of options, there’s an important “ground rule” to take into account first. Registration plates are often used to identify the age of a vehicle, and the DVLA prohibits plates that make an older car appear newer than it is. You’ll need to pick a plate that fits your vehicle's age, but don’t worry, we’ll let you know if the plate that interests you has any car age restrictions, or if it's a "dateless" number that can go on any vehicle.

1. Find a personal plate

   This is the fun part. Use our number plate search tool to find a plate you like, whether it’s based on your name, someone else’s name, your profession or passion or anything else you can think of, there’s bound to be a perfect plate out there for you. You’re only limited by your imagination!

   Private plates make use of what we enthusiasts like to call “Platespeak” - swapping out letter and number combinations to make names or words. We have a handy guide to help you understand this, so you can find the best plate for you.

2. Buy the private plate

   Once you’ve found your perfect personalised number plate, it’s time to buy! We offer options to “Buy Now”, pay by finance over a period of 24, 36 or 48 months, and interest-free finance on eligible private registrations. There are no long waiting periods for credit checks if you pay by finance - you’ll get a decision instantly. Alternatively, PayPal payment offers a Pay in 3 option on selected plates, giving you yet another way to spread the cost.

   After buying your personalised registration, we’ll send you an order confirmation via email. You’ll also receive a V750 form in the post, which is your certificate of ownership of the registration. This comes via post, so it may take a few days to arrive. In the meantime, you can order your plates!

3. Order number plate

   Ordering your physical plates is easy, and we're more than happy to help!

   We offer different plate types to choose from when you buy through us; from '4D' number plates with raised three-dimensional characters to those with coloured borders, UK national flags and green-flash number plates for electric vehicles. You’ll be given all of these options as you progress through the checkout process.

4. Assign private plate

   Once you’ve received your V750, grab this and your VC5 vehicle log book - it’s time to assign your new number to your car! Regtransfers offers a fully managed transfer service that takes care of the whole official process for you. Alternatively, if you don't mind handling the paperwork yourself, you can complete the transfer by post, or on the government's website. Either way, once your new number is transferred to your car, you will receive your new V5C log book by post.

5. Inform your insurance company

   Once you’ve completed the above step, your vehicle’s registration will be officially (and legally) changed. Congratulations! Don’t forget to update your insurance company of your new registration, as well as any other services that make use of your vehicle’s registration (for example, parking apps or breakdown cover), otherwise you may find yourself in a tricky situation if something happens to your vehicle.

6. Fit new plate on car

   It’s time to fit your new plates on your car! This can be done in a number of ways, and we have a helpful guide here on our site to walk you through the process of securing your plates properly. You can also grab a fixing kit from us at the checkout. This is the final step, so once you’re done you can take a step back and admire your purchase, and your new personalised number plates!