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

If you choose to send or hand over your certificate to a dealership, lease company, or Motability scheme, you are giving them control over the registration mark.

Before doing this, ensure you fully trust them with the process.

If something goes wrong after you have given them the certificate, it may be difficult or impossible for us to resolve the matter. Always check their policies and confirm they will handle the transfer correctly before releasing the certificate.

To make the original document invalid, you can request a new certificate directly from the organisation where you purchased the registration mark, such as us or the DVLA.

If the registration was purchased through the DVLA, you can request a new certificate through your DVLA personalised registration account.

This is a crucial step to ensure that the registration is not assigned to an unauthorised vehicle, which could result in the loss of your private registration.

Reclaiming an old private registration depends on various factors, such as the vehicle's status and circumstances of sale, and is not always guaranteed.

Was your car stolen? If your vehicle was stolen, you may be able to reclaim the plate if the vehicle was taxed, had a valid MOT, and was reported to the police. There is a timeframe of 2 years and 6 months to apply for retention, and this can be done directly through the DVLA. For detailed guidance, refer to the DVLA's official information on handling stolen vehicles and retaining personalised registrations.
Write-Offs: If you sold your vehicle as a write-off, you can only retain the plate if the sale explicitly excluded the registration. As soon as your vehicle is deemed a total loss, contact your insurer to express your intention to retain the personalised number plate. Request written confirmation of their agreement. You will then be able to use the V5C and pay £80 to retain the registration of the vehicle. This can be completed by using the DVLA online system .
Sold your car: If you sell your vehicle with your cherished number plate still assigned to it on the ~V5C registration certificate, then the new keeper will own the vehicle and the rights to the registration number. You will need to get in touch with the person to whom you sold the vehicle and ask them if they are willing to retain the registration for you if you pay the government fees. If they agree to help you, they will need to send the V5 Registration Certificate to the DVLA by post along with a completed V317 form and an £80 cheque or postal order made payable to 'DVLA Swansea'. However, if they retain the registration online, the certificate will be produced in their details and not yours.
Scrapped Vehicles: Once a vehicle is scrapped, the registration is typically lost and cannot be reclaimed.
Private Sales: If you sold or traded the vehicle with the private plate still assigned, the new owner may choose to sell the plate or keep it for themselves, meaning the plate now legally belongs to them. The DVLA cannot disclose details about the vehicle or owner, but if you remain in touch with the seller, they may be willing to give you the registration mark back.

If your certificate has expired and you did not apply for renewal before that date, then you will have lost the right to the registration number and the pre-paid transfer fee.

The DVLA typically does not accept renewal applications after the expiry date. However, you should promptly contact the DVLA and discuss the situation. They can be reached on 0300 7906802.

Search for a similar registration by entering our Search tool .

Yes, you can sell or give away a registration mark, but you need to follow specific steps with the DVLA to fully transfer its ownership if you are not selling the registration through a reliable third party like ourselves. Once sold, you'll no longer need to be involved, and DVLA will be aware that you no longer have any attachment to the registration mark.

There are a few ways that you can do this:

Transfer from your vehicle to Another Person's Vehicle - Postal method:

Complete Form V317: Select the option to transfer the registration to another vehicle.
Provide the Required Documents: You'll need:

The V5C (logbook) of the vehicle that the registration is currently assigned to.
The V5C (logbook) of the vehicle the registration is being transferred to.
A fee of £80 for the transfer.
Submit to DVLA: Send the completed form and documents to the DVLA.

Transfer of Private Registration held on a certificate to Another Person's Vehicle - Online Method (For V750/V778 Holders)

If you want to transfer a private registration that you're holding on a certificate (V750 or V778) to someone else, you can do this easily online. Here's how:

What You'll Need:

The Certificate of Entitlement (V750 or V778) that shows you hold the registration.
The V5C (Vehicle Log Book) of the buyer's vehicle.

Steps to Transfer:

Visit the DVLA online registration transfer system: DVLA Transfer Portal .
Follow the instructions to assign the private registration number to the buyer's vehicle.
The process is usually completed instantly. Once the transfer is done, the buyer's name on the V5C will now reflect them as the registered keeper of the private registration.

Important Notes:

Payment: If you've agreed to sell the registration, ensure the payment has been made before you complete the transfer. Once the registration is assigned, the process is irreversible.
The buyer will become the registered keeper of both the vehicle and the private registration.

By completing these steps, you can successfully transfer the registration to someone else without the need for physical paperwork.

Retain the Registration - Online or postal method

You can place the registration on retention using the postal application or by using the DVLA's online service .

To complete a postal application:

Complete Form V317: Fill out the V317 form, selecting the option to transfer the registration to another vehicle.
Provide the Required Documents: You'll need:

The V5C (logbook) The V5C (logbook) of the vehicle that the registration is currently assigned to.
A fee of £80 for the transfer.

Submit to DVLA: Send the completed form and documents to the DVLA.

To complete the online application:

Log in to the DVLA Personalised Registration Service
Select 'Retain Registration'
Enter Registration Details: Provide the vehicle and registration details.
Pay the £80 Fee: Complete payment using a debit or credit card.
Receive Confirmation: Once processed, you'll get a V778 Retention Certificate, confirming your registration is retained for up to 10 years.

Both of these routes will allow you to receive a V778 retention certificate, which can be given or sold to someone else.

This option allows the new owner to be given a certificate of entitlement, which will be valid for 10 years, so it does not have to be assigned immediately.

Option 1: Update Online (for those who have registrations in a DVLA account)

Log into your DVLA Personalised Registration account: DVLA Personalised Registration Service.
Navigate to your account settings and select "Update my details."
Enter your new address and confirm the changes.
Your updated V750/V778 will be sent to your new address within a few weeks.

Option 2: Update By Post

If you don't have/cannot access a DVLA online account that holds the private registration mark, send off the V750 or V778 document with your request to update your address filled in (make copies first).
If you do not have the certificate, simply send a letter to the DVLA with the new information.
Send the letter or document to: DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1DS .
Wait for your updated certificate to arrive at your new address.

Important notes:

Remember to update your address promptly whenever you move to avoid missing important DVLA notifications (such as tax reminders and registration certificates).
No Fees: There is no charge for updating your address on the V5C if you do it yourself.
Timing: Make sure you update your address well before any important deadlines to avoid delays or missing documents.

If you're unsure about how to protecting your registration or simply need some further guidance, our friendly sales and after-sales teams will be happy to help.