To remove private plate registrations from a car, the registered keeper asks the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to take the private number off the vehicle, either so it can be kept on a V778 retention document or so it can be assigned straight to another vehicle. The car then goes back to its original registration number, or a replacement number the DVLA gives it, and a new V5C is issued.
Part of Plate Transfer & Retention.
Updated October 2026 · Independent information, not legal advice
The paperwork is quick compared with the real-world details: which plates to take off, when to tell the insurer, what to do about tax and MOT, and how to avoid being left with a car that has no valid number. The steps below follow the whole job in the order it actually happens, including what to do when something goes wrong.
How Do You Remove A Private Plate From A Car?
You remove a private plate by applying to the DVLA to take the number off the vehicle (the donor vehicle), then fitting plates showing the car's other number once the DVLA confirms the change. Nothing changes legally just because you unscrew the plates. People searching how to remove private number plate details, remove private plate from car records or take off private plate letters all mean this same DVLA process, and taking off private number plate characters yourself does not do it.
- Check you are the registered keeper named on the V5C and that the car currently carries the private number.
- Check the donor vehicle meets the DVLA's current conditions on GOV.UK.
- Choose your route: online on GOV.UK or by post with the V317 form.
- Decide whether the number goes on retention or straight onto another vehicle.
- Wait for the DVLA's confirmation and the new V5C before changing any plates.
- Order plates for the original or replacement number from a registered supplier and fit them.
- Tell your insurer and update any other records that show the number.
Why the order matters
Plates showing a number the vehicle is not recorded under cause trouble with cameras, parking enforcement and the police. Take them off only when the DVLA has confirmed the change, and never drive with no valid plates fitted.
What Does Removing A Private Plate Actually Involve?
Removing a private plate is a change to the DVLA's record first and a change to metal or acrylic second. The DVLA records which registration number belongs to which vehicle, and the private plate is simply a registration assigned to your vehicle in place of its original one.
- The DVLA updates its record so the donor vehicle shows another number.
- The number you are removing is either retained or assigned to a new vehicle.
- A V5C showing the vehicle's new registration is issued.
- Physical plates are replaced by a registered number plate supplier.
Who holds the entitlement while a number is retained?
While a number is on retention, the person named on the V778 holds the entitlement. The number is not on any vehicle, so it cannot be displayed on the road.
Is the number owned like property?
Not strictly. The DVLA records an entitlement to the registration, which is why you apply to the DVLA, not to a plate supplier, to move it.
Private Plate, Cherished Plate, Personalised Plate: Is The Process The Same?
The process is the same whatever you call the number. A cherished plate, a personalised registration and a private number plate are all the same legal thing, a registration number assigned to a vehicle other than the one it was first issued to, and they all move through DVLA assignment and retention.
Does the format of the plate change the process?
No. A dateless number, a prefix, a suffix or a current-style plate all use the same assignment and retention route; the DVLA's conditions about vehicle age matter more than the style. See how to read a UK number plate for the formats.
Before You Start: What You Need To Have To Hand
Collecting everything first prevents most failed applications. Most people stall because a document is in a drawer in another house.
- The V5C for the donor vehicle (the logbook).
- The V750 certificate of entitlement or V778 retention document, if the number came with one.
- The vehicle's current registration number and, for online routes, the details the service asks for from the V5C.
- Details of the person receiving the number, if it is going to someone else's vehicle.
- Proof of identity for the plate supplier later on.
What if the V5C is missing?
Without a V5C you generally cannot complete the application until you have a replacement from the DVLA. Applying for a replacement first saves a rejected application; see what to do when you cannot find the V5C.
Proof of identity and entitlement
Both the DVLA and the plate supplier may ask for photographic identity and proof of address. Have these ready, along with the document that shows you are entitled to the number.
A sensible folder of paperwork
Keep the V5C, the V750 or V778, insurance details and the MOT certificate together, so every step has what it needs.
Who Is Allowed To Remove A Private Plate?
Only the registered keeper of the donor vehicle, or someone with a legitimate entitlement to the number, can apply to take a number off. The V5C records the registered keeper, not the legal owner, so a leasing company or finance firm may need to be involved.
Cars on finance or lease
If a vehicle is on finance, the finance firm may hold rights over the vehicle and its registration. Ask the lender before you try to remove a plate; the position on private number plates on finance turns on the agreement, so read it first.
Company cars and fleets
For a company vehicle the keeper is usually the business. The person applying must be authorised by the company, and the registration may belong to the business rather than to a director personally.
Which Vehicles Can Have A Private Plate Removed?
Most vehicles registered with the DVLA can have a private plate removed and moved, but the DVLA sets conditions, so check the current list on GOV.UK. Typical themes are below.
- The vehicle must be registered in the UK and recorded at the DVLA.
- It must usually be able to be taxed or already be taxed, and an MOT where one is required.
- Its original or replacement number must be available to give back.
- Some vehicles, such as those recorded as scrapped or exported, cannot be used.
Motorcycles, vans and lorries
Motorbikes, vans and commercial vehicles follow the same assignment and retention rules, though a motorcycle usually shows only a rear plate. Check motorbike plate rules before ordering.
Classic and historic vehicles
A classic car often carries a registration that matches its age. Moving a modern-looking private number onto it is limited by the age rule, and taking a private plate off a classic usually reveals its original dateless or age-related number. Read about dateless number plates before you decide.
Can You Take A Private Plate Off A Car And Keep It?
Yes, you can take a private plate off a car and keep it by putting the number on retention. The DVLA then issues a V778 retention document, and the number is held in your name until you assign it to a vehicle or sell it.
- Retention lets you sell a car without selling the number.
- You can hold the number while you shop for another vehicle.
- The V778 has an expiry date, so check its validity and the renewal route on GOV.UK.
- A retained number cannot be displayed on any vehicle until it is assigned.
The full retention route is covered in how to retain a number plate.
How long can a number stay on retention?
A retention certificate has an expiry date, and the DVLA allows renewal under its rules. The exact period and renewal route are on GOV.UK, so check before you rely on a date.
Can you keep a number you do not plan to use?
Yes, within the DVLA's rules. Many owners hold a number for years between cars, provided the V778 is renewed on time.
Taking A Private Plate Off A Car And Moving It Straight To Another
You can remove the number and assign it directly to another vehicle in one application. This is the standard route for transferring registration plates from car to car online, and it avoids a gap where the number belongs to no vehicle.
What the DVLA checks on the recipient vehicle
The recipient vehicle must meet the same conditions as the donor. It cannot be older than the number implies, because a registration that makes a vehicle look newer than it is cannot be assigned to it.
Swapping plates between two cars
People who ask how to swap registration plates between two cars you keep are usually describing two linked applications: take each number off its donor vehicle onto retention, then assign each to the other vehicle. Check the DVLA conditions on GOV.UK before touching any plates.
Putting it on after approval
Once the transfer is approved, the number is recorded against the recipient vehicle. Fitting plates to it is covered in how to put a private number plate on a car, which answers how to put private number plate on car questions once the paperwork is done. If you want to transfer private plate ownership to a relative's car, the same application applies.
How Do I Remove A Private Plate Online?
The online route on GOV.UK is the quickest for most vehicles, because the system checks entitlement and vehicle details as you go. You need the V5C details for the donor vehicle and, where applicable, the V750 or V778.
- Search GOV.UK for the DVLA service to transfer or retain a registration.
- Sign in or enter the vehicle details the service requests.
- Choose whether to retain the number or assign it to another vehicle.
- Confirm the details and pay whatever the service shows (never rely on a figure from elsewhere).
- Wait for the DVLA's confirmation, then watch for the new V5C.
What if the online service will not accept my vehicle?
Some vehicles are not eligible online, for example where records need correcting. Then the paper route with form V317 or a call to the DVLA may be needed; see how to contact the DVLA.
How Do I Remove A Private Plate By Post With The V317?
The paper route uses form V317, the DVLA's application to transfer or retain a registration number. You complete the form, attach the V5C and other documents it asks for, and send it to the DVLA address printed on the form.
- Use the current version of the form from GOV.UK.
- Send documents by a trackable method, because you are posting a V5C.
- Expect the process to take longer than online, but never assume a timeframe; the DVLA publishes its own guidance.
- Keep a copy of everything you send.
Filling in the V317 carefully
Use black ink, print clearly and match the names and addresses to the V5C exactly. A small mismatch is a common reason for delays.
Posting the V5C safely
Send documents by a tracked service, and photograph every page first. If something goes astray you can prove what was sent.
What Does It Cost To Remove A Private Plate?
The DVLA sets a fee for assigning or retaining a number, and it can change, so the current figure is on GOV.UK. People who search how much does it cost to transfer a number plate will find that the cost depends on the route and whether a plate supplier or broker is also involved.
Separate costs people forget
- The assignment or retention fee, set by the DVLA.
- New plates for the original or replacement number, priced by each supplier.
- Any dealer or broker fee if one handles the paperwork.
- Tax and MOT, if either is due again.
How much to transfer a registration plate through a broker
Brokers and dealers set their own charges, so how much to transfer a registration plate through one differs between firms, and how much to transfer a number plate directly through the DVLA is shown on GOV.UK. Ask for a written breakdown, and compare it with doing it directly through the DVLA.
| Item | Who sets or issues it | Check where |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment or retention fee | The DVLA | GOV.UK |
| V778 retention document | The DVLA | Your own paperwork |
| New plates | A registered supplier | The supplier's quote |
| Broker or dealer service | The firm itself | A written breakdown |
How Long Does It Take To Remove A Private Plate?
Timing depends on the route and the DVLA's workload, so no single answer applies. Online applications are normally dealt with faster than paper ones, but do not book a sale, MOT or insurance start date around a guess.
- Check the DVLA's current guidance on GOV.UK.
- Allow time for the new V5C to arrive after approval.
- Keep the vehicle off the road, or insured with the original number, until plates are changed.
Planning around the gap
Never book an MOT, a sale or a first insurance day on the assumption that the paperwork will arrive on time. Build in slack, and keep the car legally registered under its current number until the DVLA confirms.
What Happens To The Car After The Private Plate Comes Off?
The car reverts to its original registration number, or to a replacement number the DVLA assigns if the original is no longer available. Your V5C is reissued to show this, and the car is the same vehicle with a different number.
What is the original registration number?
The original registration number is the one the vehicle was first registered with. The DVLA holds it on file, and for most cars made after 1963 it also reveals the approximate age.
What if the original number is not available?
If the original number cannot be returned, for instance because it was assigned elsewhere, the DVLA allocates a replacement number. The new plate may differ in style from what you expect, so check the V5C before ordering.
How Do I Find The Original Number Plate From A Private Plate?
To find the original number plate from a private plate (or, put another way, how to find original number plate from private plate), look at the V5C, which records the current registration and the previous ones. If you cannot find it, an enquiry to the DVLA or a vehicle history check can help, and the free number plate check shows year of first registration and other recorded details that narrow the age.
- Check the V5C for the previous registration number.
- Look at the first registration date, which tells you the plate age that fits.
- Read how to find your old car for tracing a vehicle by its past details.
- Contact the DVLA if the V5C no longer lists it.
Using the first registration year to check a plate fits
A vehicle first registered in a given year should not end up with a plate that implies a later year. The year chart for plates shows which identifier fits which period.
Do I Need A New V5C After Removing A Private Plate?
Yes, the DVLA issues a new V5C for the registration change. The new certificate shows the vehicle's registration number, and the old one is no longer correct once the change is recorded.
What if the new V5C does not arrive?
If the V5C does not arrive within the timeframe given by the DVLA, contact them rather than assuming it is lost in post. Meanwhile, the V5C issue date on a vehicle check can help you spot whether a new certificate has been recorded.
Reading the new V5C
Check the registration number, make, model, colour and keeper details. Errors are easier to fix straight away than after a sale; see what a vehicle registration document shows.
Do I Need To Tell My Insurer When I Take A Private Plate Off A Car?
Yes, tell your insurer whenever the registration on a car changes, because insurance is recorded against the registration number. If the Motor Insurance Database (MID) shows a different number from the one on the plates, the vehicle can look uninsured.
- Contact your insurer before the plates change, not after.
- Ask them to update the registration on your policy.
- Check the vehicle on a Motor Insurance Database check once updated.
- Keep written confirmation of the change.
Read vehicle insurance renewal for how policies are matched to registrations at renewal.
What the insurer needs from you
Give them the new registration number, the date the plates change and, if asked, a copy of the new V5C. Insurers record the vehicle by registration, so accuracy matters.
Why a mismatch can look like no insurance
The Motor Insurance Database (MID) is matched by registration. If the policy shows one number and the car wears another, enforcement systems may flag it.
What Happens To The Vehicle Tax When The Plate Changes?
Vehicle tax is attached to the vehicle, not the plate, so changing the registration number does not normally cancel it. The DVLA updates the record to the new registration, but you should check the position afterwards on vehicle tax status.
Is a refund due when a number is removed?
A tax refund is tied to selling, scrapping or SORNing a vehicle, not to a plate change. If you stop using the car, see car tax refund.
Does road tax transfer with the number?
No. Road tax does not transfer between vehicles or owners with a plate, so each vehicle keeps its own tax record.
Does The MOT Need Updating After A Plate Removal?
The MOT record follows the vehicle, so a valid MOT normally carries on under the new registration, but check it on the DVSA record afterwards. Use the MOT check to confirm the new number shows the same expiry date.
- An MOT is linked to the vehicle, not to the plate.
- If the registration changed, the new number should show the history.
- Report any gaps to the DVSA through GOV.UK.
If the MOT shows under the old number
Allow time for records to update. If the old number still shows the MOT, report it to the DVSA through GOV.UK, and keep your last test certificate, since the MOT certificate is your proof.
Plates, Suppliers And The Legal Rules For Replacements
New plates for the original or replacement number must come from a registered number plate supplier, who must see proof of identity and entitlement to the number. Plates must meet the British Standard and the legal typeface rules, which are explained in legal number plates in the UK.
What documents does a supplier ask for?
Typically photographic identity, proof of address and the V5C or V778 showing your entitlement. Ask the supplier before you visit.
Can I make the plates myself?
No. The rules do not let you produce road-legal plates yourself; read can you make your own number plate for the reasons and the legal route.
Which Route Suits You: Retain, Assign Or Sell?
| Option | What happens to the number | What you receive | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove and retain | Held in your name | V778 retention document | Selling the car, keeping the plate |
| Remove and assign | Moved to another vehicle | Updated V5C for the recipient | Changing cars |
| Remove and sell | Passed to a buyer | Depends on the sale | Cashing in on the plate |
| Just swap plates physically | Nothing changes legally | Nothing | Not allowed |
Reading the table
The first row is what most people want: keep the number, then fit it later. The last row is the mistake the DVLA's rules exist to stop.
How Do You Assign A Private Plate To A Different Car?
To assign a private plate, or to assign number plate entitlement to a car you keep, you apply to the DVLA to record the number against a vehicle you keep. It uses the same service as removal, and in practice the two steps are often one application.
Assigning from retention
If the number is on a V778, you quote the document and the recipient vehicle's details, and the DVLA records the number against that vehicle. Plates are fitted only after approval.
Assigning a number you have just bought
A number bought from the DVLA comes with a V750 certificate of entitlement. You can assign it to a vehicle you keep or leave it unassigned for a while; see DVLA number plate auctions for how entitlement arises.
What If The Car Is Off The Road Or On SORN?
A vehicle on SORN can still have its private plate removed in many cases, but the DVLA's conditions on tax and MOT may apply, so check GOV.UK before you apply. Read how to SORN your car for the status itself.
- Check whether the vehicle needs to be taxed or SORN at the time.
- Do not drive a SORN vehicle on the road to fit plates.
- Fit plates on private land, or have a supplier do it.
Taxing the car afterwards
Tax is attached to the vehicle, so check road tax online afterwards to confirm the record reflects the new registration.
Selling The Car But Wanting To Keep The Private Number
If you are selling a car but want to keep a private number plate, retain the number before the sale completes. Otherwise the number is likely to pass to the buyer with the car, because the number is attached to the vehicle in the DVLA's records.
- Apply to remove the number and put it on retention.
- Wait for approval and the V778.
- Fit plates for the original or replacement number.
- Complete the sale with the right registration on the car and V5C.
What buyers should check
A buyer should check the registration on the car matches the V5C. The free number plate check shows make, model, colour and first registration year to compare.
Gifting A Number Or Giving It To A Family Member
A number can be assigned to a relative's vehicle, but it must be applied for through the DVLA with the right consent from both keepers. The recipient's vehicle must meet the DVLA's conditions in its own right.
- Both keepers usually have to be involved in the application.
- The V778 or V750 holder is the one entitled to the number.
- The recipient's vehicle gets the registration; the old one reverts.
Consent from both keepers
The giver and the recipient usually need to agree in writing, and both vehicles must meet the DVLA's conditions. Keep copies of the agreement.
What If You Bought A Car And The Private Plate Is Still On It?
Check the V5C and the paperwork. If the plate has been retained by the seller, the number will already be removed from the record; if it is still on the car, it comes with the vehicle. Ask for written confirmation, and see transferring a vehicle to a new keeper for the sale paperwork.
Seller says they will "take the plate back"
Plates are not transferable by hand. If the seller wants the number, they must apply to the DVLA, and you must agree to the car changing registration before the sale.
Looking After The V778 Retention Document
The V778 retention document is the proof you hold the number. Check its expiry date as soon as you receive it, because the DVLA may require renewal.
- Store it with other vehicle paperwork, never in the car.
- Note the expiry date in your calendar.
- Renew through the DVLA's service on GOV.UK before it lapses.
What if the V778 is lost or expires?
Contact the DVLA about a replacement and the options for a lapsed document; do not assume the number is gone, but act quickly.
What If The Donor Car Is Scrapped, Written Off Or Stolen First?
If the donor vehicle is scrapped or written off before you retain the number, speak to the DVLA straight away. The position depends on whether the vehicle is still registered and on the paperwork you hold. Check scrapped vehicle status and your insurer, and see write-off checks for how categories work.
If your insurer pays out
Tell the insurer you want to keep the number, before the vehicle is disposed of.
Northern Ireland And The Rest Of The UK
Northern Ireland registration still sits with the DVLA, so private plate retention and assignment follow the same DVLA rules, but vehicle testing is run by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). Check MOT in Northern Ireland and the DVA explained.
Irish Republic plates are a separate system with different records.
Plate formats in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland plates typically use a different letter-and-number layout, so a private number moving between regions must still be a valid format the DVLA allows.
Imported Cars And Foreign Registrations
An imported vehicle registered in the UK follows the same rules, but its original number may be a UK-issued one rather than a foreign plate. Check the V5C carefully before assuming what the original is.
Cars with a replacement number
Some vehicles have only a replacement number on record. The V5C shows it.
Electric Cars And The Green Flash
An electric vehicle can have a private plate removed like any other. A green flash on a plate is permitted for zero-emission vehicles, so check whether it needs to go on the new plate; see rear number plate rules.
Fitting a green flash on the new plate
If the car is zero-emission, ask the supplier whether you want the flash. It is allowed, not compulsory, and the supplier must follow the legal layout.
Part Exchange And Dealer Sales
If a dealer is taking your car in part exchange, tell them before agreeing a price. The private number should be retained first or the dealer may assume it is part of the deal.
- Get the agreement to retain in writing.
- Make sure the invoice names the right registration.
- Ask the dealer to confirm what happens to the plates.
Getting the retention agreement in writing
A written note on the invoice that the private number stays with you avoids a dispute later.
What To Do With The Old Plates
Old plates carrying a number that is no longer on the car should be destroyed or kept securely, never left in a bin intact or fitted to another vehicle. Using a number that is not assigned to the vehicle you are driving is illegal.
Selling or recycling plates
Used plates have no resale value as plates. Cut or break them up.
Common Mistakes When Removing A Private Plate
Most problems come from doing the physical swap before the paperwork, or forgetting the insurer.
- Swapping plates before the DVLA confirms.
- Forgetting to update insurance.
- Letting the V778 expire.
- Selling the car before retention is complete.
- Fitting plates from an unregistered supplier.
- Assuming tax and MOT transfer by plate.
The costly one: selling before retaining
If a car sells with the number still on it, recovering the registration depends on the buyer's cooperation. Always retain first.
Myths About Removing Private Plates
Three beliefs cause most of the damage:
- A private number is wholly the car's, so it moves with the car.
- Plates can be swapped between cars as long as nobody notices.
- A retained number never expires.
- Insurance and tax follow the plate by themselves.
Myth: you can just swap them. You cannot. Myth: the plate belongs to the car. A private number is a registration assigned by the DVLA, and can be moved if you meet the conditions. Myth: a V778 lasts forever. Check the expiry date.
Myth: tax moves with the plate
Vehicle tax belongs to the vehicle record. A plate change does not move it.
Myth: any garage can swap plates
Only a registered supplier may make plates, and the DVLA must record the change first.
A Day-By-Day Checklist
Use this order and you will rarely go wrong.
- Check conditions on GOV.UK.
- Gather the V5C and certificates.
- Apply to retain or assign.
- Tell your insurer.
- Receive the confirmation and new V5C.
- Order and fit plates.
- Verify records with a free vehicle check.
Before you apply
Check conditions, gather documents and speak to your insurer.
After you apply
Wait for confirmation, fit plates and verify the records.
What To Do If The Application Is Rejected
If the DVLA rejects the application, read the reason carefully. The usual causes are missing documents, a vehicle that does not meet the conditions, or mismatched details. Fix the issue and reapply, or contact the DVLA through DVLA chat and contact options.
Mismatched keeper details
If the V5C name and address differ from the application, update the V5C first.
If You Fitted The Wrong Plates
If you have fitted plates for a number that is not recorded on the vehicle, remove them and fit the correct ones. Driving with the wrong registration can cause fines and penalty notices; do not rely on explanations alone.
Reporting a mistake
If you realise too late, fix it quickly and keep records of when you corrected it. Contact the DVLA if the V5C and plates still disagree.
What Happens When The Registered Keeper Has Died
The executor or family should contact the DVLA about the vehicle and number. A number can sometimes be transferred as part of an estate, and the DVLA publishes the route on GOV.UK.
Who can apply on behalf of an estate
Usually the executor, or someone with the legal authority. The DVLA's GOV.UK guidance explains the paperwork.
Joint Keepers, Name Changes And Address Changes
A V5C names a single registered keeper in the DVLA's record, so joint arrangements need to be sorted before applying. If your name or address has changed, update the V5C first; see changing address for car tax.
Updating the V5C first
If a name or address on the V5C is out of date, correct it before applying, so details match.
Checking Everything Afterwards
Once plates are fitted, run the registration through a check and read each field. Compare make, model and colour with the V5C. The MOT history should show under the right number too.
Spotting problems early
Read the make, model, colour and first registration year. A mismatch means either a typing error or a record to correct.
Selling The Number Once It Is Off The Car
If you do not want to keep the number, you can sell it. Valuation depends on the market, and the options are in how to sell my licence plate and car registration valuation.
Valuing before you list
A plate's value depends on length, readability and rarity. Use a tool such as value my number plate alongside market evidence, never a single quote.
How Do You Swap Registration Plates Between Two Of Your Cars?
To swap registration plates between two vehicles you keep, you usually retain one number, assign the other, then assign the retained number to the second car. The DVLA treats each step as a separate record change.
Why you need a spare step
At no point can two vehicles hold the same number, so one number has to be held on retention while the other moves.
The order to follow
- Retain number A from car one.
- Assign number B to car one.
- Assign number A to car two.
What About Trailers, Caravans And Towing?
A trailer shows the registration of the towing vehicle, so a change of plate on the tow car means updating the trailer plate too. Read number plates for trailers and caravans.
Towing straight after a change
Check trailer plates the same day the car's plates change.
Motorcycle plates
A motorbike usually needs only a rear plate; follow motorbike plate rules.
Temporary Measures While You Wait
While waiting for approval, keep the car under its current number. Do not use trade plates; they are for motor traders, as explained in how to get trade plates.
Do not fit a "temporary" private plate
Fitting a number the vehicle is not recorded under, even briefly, is not allowed.
Where To Get Official Help
The official sources are GOV.UK, the DVLA and, for Northern Ireland tests, the DVA. Read the DVLA explained and the wider plate transfer and retention hub for related guidance on personalised number plates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take private plate off car records so I can keep the number?
Apply to the DVLA to remove the number and put it on retention. The DVLA issues a V778 retention document, the car reverts to its original or a replacement registration, and you receive a new V5C. Only then should you change the physical plates. Check the current conditions and the application route on GOV.UK.
How do I remove private plate registrations and put private plate on retention?
Apply to the DVLA, online on GOV.UK or by post with form V317, to take the number off the vehicle and place it on retention. The DVLA then issues a V778 retention document in your name and the car goes back to its original or a replacement number. Do not change the physical plates until the DVLA confirms the change and you have the new V5C.
How to put a personalised number plate on a car?
First assign the number to the car through the DVLA, using the V778 or V750 as proof of entitlement. When the DVLA confirms and issues the new V5C, order plates for that number from a registered number plate supplier, who will check your identity and entitlement, and fit them. Tell your insurer before the plates change.
How much to put private plate on car, and how much to change number plate?
The DVLA sets a fee for assignment, and plate suppliers, brokers and dealers set their own charges, so no single figure applies. Check the current DVLA fee on GOV.UK, ask suppliers for the price of a pair of plates, and ask any broker for a written breakdown. Tax or MOT may also be due if either has lapsed on the vehicle.
How much does it cost to change registration plates once the number is approved?
The cost of the plates themselves is set by the supplier and varies with plate type, so ask for a quote before ordering. Standard road-legal plates must come from a registered supplier and meet the British Standard. The DVLA application is a separate cost, shown on GOV.UK at the time you apply, and a broker may add a further fee.
How to transfer a personal number plate to a family member?
The registration is transferred by DVLA record, not by handing plates over. The keeper of the donor vehicle and the keeper of the recipient vehicle usually both need to be involved, the recipient vehicle must meet the DVLA's conditions, and the number cannot make the vehicle look newer than it is. Apply on GOV.UK or with form V317.
How do I transfer personalised number plates between two of my cars?
Retain the number from the first car, assign the other number to that car if needed, and then assign the retained number to the second car. Each step is a DVLA record change, and the two vehicles must never both hold the same number. Plates are replaced by a registered supplier once each change is confirmed.
How to keep number plate when selling a car?
Retain the number before the sale completes. Otherwise it normally passes with the car. Apply to put the number on retention, wait for the V778, fit plates for the original or replacement number, and only then hand over the car and V5C. Tell the buyer which registration the car will carry and make sure the invoice shows it.
Can I just take a plate off a car and put it on another?
No. To take a plate off a car legally, the DVLA must first move the number between vehicles in its records. Fitting plates for a number the vehicle is not recorded under can lead to penalties and problems with cameras, the insurer and the police. Wait for the DVLA confirmation and the new V5C before changing plates.
How to change a personalised number plate to the original?
Apply to the DVLA to remove the private number, and the vehicle usually returns to its original registration number, or the DVLA gives a replacement if the original is not available. Check the V5C once it is reissued, order plates for that number from a registered supplier and tell your insurer.
How to change a cherished number plate on the same car for a different one?
Remove the existing cherished number through retention, then assign the new number to the car. The DVLA must approve each change, the new number cannot make the car look newer than it is, and a new V5C is issued. After that, update the insurer and have new plates made.
Do I need to remove number plate details from insurance and tax records?
You need to tell your insurer, because policies are matched to the registration number. Vehicle tax stays with the vehicle record, and the DVLA updates it, but check the tax and MOT status under the new number afterwards. If either does not show, contact the relevant service through GOV.UK.
Can I retain private number plate details if the car is on SORN?
Often yes, but the DVLA's conditions on the donor vehicle apply, and they may include tax or MOT status, so check the current conditions on GOV.UK before applying. A SORN car should stay on private land, so do not drive it to a supplier to fit plates.
What if I lose the V778 or it expires?
Contact the DVLA straight away. Do not assume the number is lost, because the DVLA has routes for replacement documents and for renewing entitlement within its rules. Acting before the expiry date is far easier than recovering a number afterwards, so note the date when you receive the document.
Who can I contact if my application goes wrong?
Start with the DVLA's contact options on GOV.UK, including webchat and the contact form, and keep a copy of everything you submitted. If a plate supplier or broker is involved, contact them too. For Northern Ireland vehicle tests, the DVA deals with testing, but registration questions go to the DVLA.
Official Sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm anything that affects your money or legal position with the official service.