Number Plate Guides

If you are new to private number plates, we understand that it can often feel daunting and confusing. Our comprehensive guides will take you through the process in three simple steps:

Owning a private registration mark is as simple as 1-2-3!

Find a Private Number Plate Guide

This guide will show you how to use our industry-leading search tools to find the perfect private number plate. We will introduce you to clever tricks that will make finding the perfect private number plate easy.

Buy a Personalised Number Plate Guide

Once you are happy with your selection of personalised number plate, use our simple and secure checkout process online or buy over the telephone at no extra cost. We offer a comprehensive range of services, ensuring that the whole process is completed as smoothly as possible.

Use a Private Registration Guide

When you're ready to assign the new private registration to a vehicle, you'll need to either submit your application to the DVLA or to us to check and submit. Once your application has been successfully processed, simply fit the new number plates and update your insurance company.

Sell a Cherished Registration Guide

Our service fees are paid by the buyer and we keep them as low as possible to achieve a quicker sale for you. Decide on the price you want for your cherished number plate, complete a short form and follow the instructions online to complete the registration process. It really is that simple!

Private Number Plates for Business

We've been providing private number plate solutions to all kinds of businesses since 1997. We appreciate that every business is different and we love to help our clients with their number plate needs, freeing up their time to focus on their own interests. You may be a sole trader, a director of a private or public company, an entrepreneur, an investor or a tradesperson... Whatever your situation, Plates4Less can provide a tailored business solution just for you.

Protecting Your Private Plate

Your private number plate is a valuable asset, often holding sentimental or financial value. However, without the right precautions, you could lose ownership due to theft, fraudulent activity, or administrative errors. This guide explains how to protect your vehicle registration mark (VRM), whether it's assigned to a vehicle or held on retention.

A registration mark is held in one of two ways:

Assigned to a Vehicle - The registration is linked to a specific vehicle and recorded on the V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate/Logbook).
Held on a government certificate - The registration is not assigned to a vehicle but instead held on either:
- A V750 Certificate of Entitlement (for marks which have never been assigned to a vehicle).
- A V778 Retention Certificate (for previously assigned marks).

Regardless of how you hold your private number plate, it's crucial to safeguard your rights. This guide explains how to protect your vehicle registration mark (VRM), whether it's assigned to a vehicle or held on retention.

How do I keep my private number plate safe on my vehicle?

How do move my private reg off my vehicle and safely onto a government certificate?

How do I keep my private registration safe whilst it's on a government certificate?

What can I do to prevent my valuable DVLA number plate certificate expiring and leaving me with nothing?

I don't want to keep my private registration number any more, what's the safest thing to do with it?

FAQs - Why is my private number plate at risk and what can I do about it?

Gift Guide

Private Number plates make wonderful gifts for a variety of occasions, including birthdays, Valentines, Christmas and anniversaries. We often get questions about how this works, particularly in instances where the timing of the gift is crucial.

Transfer Age Rules Checker

You cannot assign a registration mark to a vehicle if the registration's 'age identifier' is more recent than the date the vehicle was first registered. Make sure you can use the registration mark on your vehicle by using this handy tool.

About Us & Our Policies

Information about who we are, what we do, our opening times, our policies, terms and conditions, and more.

Video Guides

Our video guides have been created to help answer some common questions about purchasing and using personalised registrations. We have put together short videos to provide quick summaries of many of our written guides. To view one of our videos, select a question from the list.