How to retain a number plate

The easy way to keep a private registration number that isn't on a vehicle

There are times when you may want to keep your personal registration but find yourself without a car to put it on. Perhaps you've sold your car or maybe you've bought a new private number but want to keep your old one. Whatever the reason, "storing" a number safely until it is needed is a useful option to have. Fortunately, DVLA provides this service with their number plate retention scheme.

How to keep your number on a Retention Document

The vast majority of numbers are eligible for retention. The few that aren't are those registrations beginning with Q or NIQ, or those whose V5 registration document bears the words "non-transferable".

You will have to submit an application to retain your number. It's a simple process that can be done online or by post. Once everything's done you'll receive a Retention Document that proves you own the registration and entitles you to transfer it to a vehicle when you're ready to do so. The Retention Document is valid for 10 years but can be renewed when it is due to expire.

Requirements

You'll need your vehicle's V5C registration document and a way to pay the fee of £80.

To retain your registration, the vehicle you are removing it from must be:

• registered with DVLA in the UK (your V5C document confirms this)
• able to move under its own power
• of a type that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate, such as a car, van or lorry, for example
• have been taxed or had a SORN in place continuously for the past 5 years
• be taxed currently (or have a SORN in place - if it’s had a SORN for more than 5 years, it must be taxed)
• be available for inspection

DVLA will get in touch if they need to inspect your vehicle.

Retaining your number online

To apply online, visit the DVLA page Take a private number off a vehicle.

When you have completed the online application and payment, the registration number will be removed from your vehicle immediately, unless DVLA needs to inspect it. Once you've successfully completed the retention you must not display the number on your vehicle. You will be issued with a replacement V5C document showing the registration number that has been assigned to your vehicle in place of the one you've removed. You must display this replacement number.

Retaining a number by post

1. Download the form V317 from the DVLA website
2. On page 1 of the form, check the box to say that you want to take the number off a vehicle and keep it on a retention document.
3. Go to page 2 and complete part 7 of the form with your car details and a contact phone number (the car details may be found on your V5C registration document - sometimes known as the "log book")
4. Complete part 9 of the form only if there is to be a change to ownership of the registration number.
5. Complete part 10 of the form only if a dealer is acting for you and you want them to receive correspondence and documentation on your behalf.
   
6. Send the completed V317 form and other required items (as listed in section 8 of the V317) to DVLA at the address on the form. You must send:
   • a: The V317 form
   • b: Your V5C vehicle registration document
   • c: The retention fee.
7. Await the arrival of your V778 retention document and your new, updated V5C. DVLA will issue a replacement registration for your vehicle and that number will be shown on the V5C. If the number you are retaining was a private number plate then DVLA will usually reissue the registration number with which your vehicle was originally registered.
   
8. When you have received your documentation, remove the number plates showing the retained registration number and fit plates to display the number now shown on the V5C registration document.