I don’t want to keep my private registration number any more, what’s the safest thing to do with it?
Surrendering a Registration Mark and reclaiming the prepaid £80 Government Transfer Fee
If you have applied to retain or purchase a registration mark, you will have paid an £80 government transfer fee as part of the process. However, if you no longer wish to hold the registration mark and it is still on a valid holding certificate (either a V750 Certificate of Entitlement or a V778 Retention Document), you may be eligible to reclaim this fee.
Conditions for Reclaiming the £80 Fee
- The registration must not be assigned to a vehicle—it must remain on a valid V750 or V778 certificate.
- The certificate must still be in date at the time of the claim. Expired certificates are not eligible for a refund.
- The refund will be issued as a cheque from the DVLA, payable to the Purchaser/Grantee (the person named on the certificate) and sent to the printed address.
How to Apply for the Refund
- Locate your V750 or V778 certificate and ensure it is still valid.
- Complete the relevant section on the certificate to surrender the rights to the registration mark.
- Submit the completed certificate to the DVLA as instructed on the form.
Important Considerations
- This action is final and irreversible. Once processed, the rights to the registration mark will be permanently lost, and it can never be owned again.
- If your certificate is nearing expiry, you must renew it before applying for the refund. The DVLA will not process refund requests for expired certificates.
If you are certain that you no longer want the registration, reclaiming the £80 government fee may be a beneficial option.
Advertising and Selling Your Private Registration Safely
How to spot and avoid common number plate scams and fraud to ensure you can sell your private plate confidently and securely:
When advertising/selling your personalised registration:
- Don’t share images of your certificate online, particularly over social media, where people may use false identities and untraceable burner phones.
- Use a well-established, reputable agency (like ours) if you want to sell your number plate or have it valued. Be sure to check reviews on a third-party website for any business that you decide to trust with your personal information.
- Maintain copies of all communication, agreements, and payments so you don’t get any fines or trouble for misuse after the sale. To avoid this, the buyer should assign the registration to the vehicle or begin a new certification process so you, as the seller, have no more obligations.
- Pricing - be aware of low/ harsh offers from the public and some well-known number plate dealers.
For more tips on how to protect yourself, check out our popular article: Number Plate Scams on the Rise Online – How to Stay Safe.
Selling your number plate through Plates4Less is simple and secure, with our expert team handling the process to help you find the right buyer quickly.
At VRM Swansea/ Plates4Less, We promise to:
- Advertise your plate at no cost to yourself, until it’s sold.
- Handle all sales negotiations and the transfer process on your behalf.
- Keep your personal details secure to protect you from time-wasters and fraud.
- Our goal is to make selling your number plate as seamless and hassle-free as possible.
Why We are Number 1
- The UK’s highest rated and most reviewed registration agent.
- Efficient, friendly and professional service which is completely FREE and easy to use
- Industry-leading smart search so buyers will find your plate easily and they can choose to pay by debit or credit card, Finance or Paypal.
- Your registration will also be listed with reputable associates, for maximum UK advertising coverage.
- The buyers pay all sales administration fees, which are the lowest in the industry, and your payment will be held safely to pay to you as soon as the Government confirms the transfer.
Credentials
- Plates4less is a trading name of VRM Swansea Ltd (company registration number 5408322, VAT registration no. 811243082).
- We are Data Protection registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO no. Z9704649).
- We are officially registered with the DVLA as number plate suppliers.
- We are authorised by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority FRN: 734204) to offer consumer finance.
- We have been established since 1997 and have thousands of happy customers. You can check independent reviews about us on Trustpilot: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.plates4less.co.uk.
FAQs About Selling Your Plate:
How long does it take to sell?
Sales times vary depending on the desirability of your plate, but our team works tirelessly to secure a buyer as soon as possible.
How much will it cost me to sell?
Absolutely nothing! There are no fees for listing your plate with us. In the event of a sale, the buyer pays our fees.
Can I still use my car while selling my plate?
Yes, you can continue using your vehicle while we find a buyer for your number plate.
List your private plate for sale, for free here
