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How to transfer a private number plate

Our guide will walk you through the steps required to successfully transfer a private plate.

There are 3 types of private plate transfers

Vehicle to Vehicle

The process of transferring a registration number from one vehicle to another is fairly straightforward. It can be done online in a few minutes or by post.

The procedures are as follows.

Transfer online

Step 1 Take your private number plate off of your vehicle.
  1. Visit the Take a registration off a vehicle page on the DVLA website.
  2. Type in the registration number you want to remove.
  3. Fill in the relevant sections with your V5C (logbook) document reference number and the registered keeper's postcode as it appears on the logbook.
  4. Confirm that you are the registered keeper by clicking 'yes I am.'
  5. Pay £80 to complete the removal of the private number plate.
  6. You will be provided with a reference number. Make a note of this to use in Step 2.

As long as your vehicle does not require an inspection, the private registration will be removed straight away.

Step 2 Assign your number plate to your vehicle.
  1. Visit the Assign a number page on the DVLA website.
  2. Complete the online process, paying attention to the following:
    1. Where asked, enter the private registration number that you're looking to put on your vehicle.
    2. When asked if you are the grantee/purchaser, select the option 'Yes, I am the grantee/purchaser '
    3. Complete all details as requested. You will need to refer to your V5C registration document.
  3. When asked, enter the reference number you were given at the end of Step 1 "Take your private number plate off your vehicle" above.
  4. Submit the completed form.

Transfer by post

  1. Download the V317 form.
  2. Follow the 'Option A' instructions on the V317 document. You will need the information from the V5C (logbooks) of both the vehicle you are taking the private number plate off of and the vehicle you are transferring the private number plate to.
  3. Enclose a cheque of £80 payable to 'DVLA Swansea' along with the V317 form and the V5C (logbooks) of both vehicles.
  4. Send the documents to the DVLA. The address you need to send them to is displayed on the V317 document.

Assuming a successful application, you will be sent new, updated V5C registration documents for both vehicles, usually within 2 weeks. Failures and delays usually only occur if there have been errors or omissions.

Document to Vehicle

It is possible to replace a vehicle's current registration number with a private number plate from a V750 Certificate of Entitlement or a V778 Retention Document.

The procedures are as follows.

Transfer online

  1. Check the expiry date on your V750 or V778 to make sure it is still valid.
  2. Ensure that the registered keeper for the receiving vehicle matches the Grantee or Nominee name on the certificate.
  3. Visit the Assign a private number page on the DVLA website.
  4. Complete the online process, paying attention to the following:
    1. Where asked, enter the private registration number that you're looking to put on your vehicle.
    2. When asked if you are the grantee/purchaser, select the option 'Yes, I am the grantee/purchaser '
    3. Complete all details as requested. You will need to refer to your V5C registration document.
  5. Fill out your vehicle details including your current vehicle registration number and the latest logbook (V5C) document reference number.
  6. Then enter the registered keeper's postcode as it appears on the logbook.
  7. When asked, enter the required details from your V750/V778 certificate.
  8. Submit the completed form.

Transfer by post

  1. Check the expiry date on your V750 or V778 to make sure it is still valid.
  2. Ensure that the registered keeper for the receiving vehicle matches the Grantee or Nominee name on the certificate.
  3. Complete relevant sections of your V750 or V778 document and sign it where instructed.
  4. Send a cheque for £80 payable to 'DVLA Swansea' along with your certificate (V750/V778) and the V5C (logbook) of your vehicle to the DVLA at the address shown on the documents.

Vehicle to Document

A registration that you want to remove from a car and keep for later use or sale may be stored in the form of a certificate. This is known as retaining a registration.

Please see our comprehensive page on how to retain a number plate for details of the process and how to complete it.

A photo of DVLA document V778
Retention Document (Form V778) is valid for 10 years and it can be renewed.

What are the 2 types of number plate certificates?

Registration entitlement is granted on a Certificate of Entitlement (Form V750) OR on a Retention Document (Form V778).

Certificate of Entitlement (Form V750)

Sample of DVLA Form V750 Certificate of Entitlement

The Certificate of Entitlement (Form V750) is a pink document issued by the DVLA for a vehicle registration that hasn't been put on a vehicle before. A V750 shows that the original purchaser is entitled to the number plate for 10 years.

Retention Document (Form V778)

Sample of DVLA Form V778 Retention Document

The Retention Document (Form V778) is a green document also issued by the DVLA for a registration number that has been previously assigned to a vehicle. A V778 shows that the grantee is entitled to the number plate for 10 years.

We encourage renewal of Certificates and Retention Documents well in advance of the expiry date.

The steps you need to take are found on our How to retain a number plate page.

What are the vehicle requirements for transferring a number plate?

To satisfy the rules governing the transfer of a private registration, the vehicle to which the number is being transferred must:

  • be registered with DVLA in the UK
  • be able to move under its own power
  • be of a type that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate
  • be available for inspection - DVLA will contact you if they need to inspect your vehicle
  • have been taxed or been covered by a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) continuously for the past five years
  • have current road tax or be covered by a current SORN. If the vehicle has had a SORN in place for more than five years, it must be taxed and have a current MOT certificate

Notes:

  1. If you have a historic (classic) vehicle you'll also need a current MOT certificate, even if your vehicle is usually exempt from MOTs.
  2. If the registration is being transferred from one vehicle to another, then both vehicles must satisfy the criteria listed above.

Trust the team

Transferring a vehicle registration is a simple process. Of course, many people prefer the peace of mind provided by an experienced, professional team. That's why Regtransfers offers our customers the option of a fully managed transfer service, taking care of all red tape and formalities.

When you buy a registration with us select 'Hassle-free Transfer Service'.

Photo of employees at Regtransfers

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The role of DVLA

Car registrations and number plates, including personalised number plates, in the UK, are the responsibility of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, usually known as the DVLA. It issues new registrations twice a year and also maintains the central database that records details of all vehicles licensed to drive on UK roads, along with their keeper and registration information.

Regtransfers works closely with DVLA to complete registration transfers as quickly and efficiently as possible. Regtransfers is a DVLA-registered supplier of personal car registrations and number plates and is listed on the DVLA Registrations website. All number plates supplied by Regtransfers comply with DVLA's prescribed standards and regulations.

DVLA administers all UK registration transfers and issues updated registration documents when the registration number of a car is changed, or when a registration is removed from a vehicle and placed on a retention document in accordance with the DVLA Retention Scheme.

DVLA is a registered trade mark of the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency. Regtransfers is not affiliated with the DVLA or DVLA Personalised Registrations. Regtransfers is a recognised reseller of unissued Government stock.

Number plate regulations

When a car is on the road, it is an offence to display number plates bearing any number other than the vehicle's officially recorded registration number. If you purchase a private registration, learn how to transfer private plates before displaying the new number.

All registration number plates displayed on UK vehicles must comply with the official number plate regulations. DVLA oversees enforcement of number plates display regulations and maintains a register of approved manufacturers and retailers of vehicle number plates.

Regtransfers is not part of, and is not formally affiliated with DVLA.

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