In short, yes it is possible to transfer a private number plate to a financed or leased car.
Getting your own private number plate is always a tempting thought. However, you’ll need to have the essential documents and follow the right steps to ensure your number plate transfer is successful.
What is the difference between finance and a lease agreement?
Despite the terms being interchangeable in some cases, there are stark differences between a leased and financed car.
Finance agreement
A finance agreement is signed with the view of purchasing a car through a series of monthly payments on an agreed term. The two most common types of car finance are:
Hire Purchase (HP) - You pay a deposit followed by fixed monthly payments. Once all payments are made, you own the car outright.
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) - Similar to HP but with lower monthly payments and a larger optional final payment, known as a balloon payment, if you choose to own the car at the end.
Lease agreement
A lease agreement, also known as Personal Contract Hire (PCH), is taken out with the intention to use the car for a given period of time. You never own the car and return it at the end of the agreement.
Similar to cars, you have the option to pay monthly for your dream number plate too. Use our Finance eligibility checker and find out how much you can borrow towards a private plate.
How to put a private plate on a financed car
Adding a private number plate to a financed or leased car is a straightforward process as long as you follow the correct steps.
1. Get permission from your lender or leasing company
The finance or leasing company is the legal owner of the car until the agreement ends, so you will need their permission before making any changes to the registration. Most lenders and leasing companies deal with private plate requests regularly and will be happy to help, though they may charge an admin fee of between £35 and £50.
Note: If, for any reason, your name and address are not displayed on the V5C, you would need to speak to the dealership where you purchased your vehicle for further advice before proceeding.
2. Identify which DVLA form you need
- V750 (Certificate of Entitlement) – Use this if your registration has never been assigned to a vehicle.
- V778 (Retention Document) – Use this if you own a private registration that is not currently displayed on a vehicle, but has been on a vehicle in the past.
- V317 (Application to Transfer) – Use this if you want to transfer a plate from another vehicle onto your financed or leased car.
3. Name your finance provider as Nominee
You will need to add your finance provider as a Nominee on the Certificate of Entitlement (V750) or Retention Document (V778). This can be done online or by post using the instructions on section C of the reverse of the certificate. Your finance provider will advise you of the correct details to use.
4. Submit the documents to your finance provider
Send the completed form and any administration fee directly to your finance provider. They will forward the documents to the DVLA on your behalf. You will receive a letter of acknowledgement from your finance provider once they have received the documents.
5. Wait for DVLA approval
The DVLA will process the application and send written confirmation once the number plate has been officially assigned. It is illegal to display the new plate on the vehicle until you have received this confirmation. The process typically takes six to eight weeks once all documents have been received, so plan accordingly.
6. Fit the plate
Once you have received confirmation from the DVLA, you can have your new plates made by a registered number plate supplier and fitted to your vehicle. It is your responsibility to ensure the new plates are fitted and reflect the change of registration.
Can you transfer a private plate to a leased car?
Yes, you are able to transfer a number plate on a leased vehicle. As the leasing company holds the V5C, you will need to contact them directly and ask them to arrange the transfer on your behalf. In most cases, they will arrange all of this for you. The leasing company may charge you an admin fee as well for arranging it.
What should I do at the end of the lease period?
If your current lease contract is coming to an end but you are going to start another one with the same lease company, usually you can just arrange this with them at the time of signing the new lease contract and they will move your private plate from the old lease car to your new one.
If your current lease is coming to an end and you do not intend to continue using that lease company, you will need to contact your lease company to arrange to have your private number plate taken off of your vehicle six to eight weeks before the end of your lease contract as the process can sometimes take a while to complete. You can either have your private plate transferred to another vehicle or the DVLA can put it onto a (V778) Retention Document that you can use at a later date.
In both of the above scenarios, there will be a fee to pay to the DVLA of £80 for them to do the transfer. The leasing company may charge you an admin fee as well for arranging it.
If you have bought your personal number plate from us, our team will help you complete the transfer to your leased/financed vehicle with our fully managed transfer service. We have also created guides on transferring registrations and retaining a personal number plate.
Will my insurance be affected?
Yes, you must inform your insurance provider when you change the registration number on your vehicle. Failing to do so could invalidate your cover.
In most cases insurers will not charge a higher premium for a private number plate, but some may charge a small administration fee to update your policy. It is worth checking with your insurer before making the change so you know what to expect.
You should also update any automatic payment accounts linked to your registration, such as ULEZ, congestion charge or Dart Charge, to ensure they reflect your new plate.
Is it worth putting a private plate on a financed or leased car?
For many drivers, adding a private plate to a financed or leased car is absolutely worth it. Here are a few things to consider:
Pros
- You can personalise your vehicle even if you don't own it outright
- A private plate stays with you, not the car, so you can transfer it to your next vehicle when the agreement ends
- It adds a personal touch to what is otherwise a standard, factory specification car
Cons
- The process takes longer than with a car you own outright, typically six to eight weeks
- There will be fees to pay, both to the DVLA and potentially to your leasing or finance company
- You must remember to remove the plate before returning a leased vehicle, ideally six to eight weeks before the end of your contract
- If you forget to remove the plate at the end of a lease, the finance company could retain it
- If you only have a short period left on your lease, it may not be worth the time and cost involved
Are there any restrictions on private plates?
All private registrations displayed on cars in the UK are subject to the official number plate regulations and must follow these guidelines to be road-legal.
The key restrictions to be aware of:
- You can't make your car look newer than it is. A private plate cannot display a year identifier that is later than the vehicle's actual year of registration. For example, you cannot put a 25 plate on a car registered in 2023. Dateless plates are the exception as they carry no year identifier and can be displayed on any age of vehicle.
- Some combinations are banned. The DVLA withholds combinations it considers offensive, inappropriate or likely to cause embarrassment. These are reviewed twice a year ahead of each new registration series.
- Physical plates must meet British Standard BS AU 145e. This covers font, spacing, size, reflectivity and other display requirements. Plates that do not meet this standard are not road-legal.
- The registration must match DVLA records. It is an offence to display a number plate that does not match the vehicle's officially recorded registration number.
Whether you have taken delivery of a new car via a lease or finance agreement, a private plate is perfect for adding that personal finishing touch. Here at Regtransfers, we make it easy to buy a private number plate with over 50 million to choose from.
FAQs
Can you put a private number plate on a financed car?
Yes, you can put a private number plate on a financed car. If your car is on HP or PCP finance, you will be named as the registered keeper on the V5C logbook. You will need permission from your finance provider before making any changes to the registration.
Can you put a private number plate on a leased car?
Yes, you can put a private number plate on a leased car. As the leasing company is the registered keeper and holds the V5C, you cannot apply to the DVLA directly. You will need to contact your leasing company who will manage the process on your behalf. They may charge an administration fee.
What happens to my private plate at the end of a lease?
You must arrange to remove your private plate at least six to eight weeks before your lease ends. You can transfer it to another vehicle or put it onto a V778 Retention Document, valid for 10 years. The DVLA charges £80 for this. If the plate is not removed before collection, the finance company could retain it.
How long does it take to transfer a private plate to a financed or leased car?
Transferring a private plate to a financed or leased car typically takes six to eight weeks. Online transfers can be faster, but the administrative process with the finance or leasing company can add time. Allow eight weeks to be safe.
How much does it cost to put a private plate on a financed or leased car?
The DVLA charges £80 to transfer or retain a private plate. Your finance or leasing company may also charge an administration fee of between £35 and £100. You will also need to pay for new physical plates once the transfer is confirmed.
Can you put a private number plate on a Motability car?
Yes, you can put a private number plate on a Motability car. As Motability Operations is the registered keeper, the process involves additional steps. For full details read our guide to private number plates on Motability cars.
