A How-to Guide
Are you Selling Car But Want To Keep Private Number Plate? Keeping that unique registration number is easier than you may realise! Whether you want to transfer it to another vehicle or just keep it until later, we can help. In this article, we will explain paperwork procedures as well as what would happen should your car get written off—let's dive in together so you are fully prepared!
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Get reportMethods Of Retaining Private Plate?
Here are two methods to Take A Private Plate Off A Car:
1: Retain A Private Plate online
Retaining your private number plate online is quick and simple. Grab your V5C logbook, make sure that your name appears as the registered keeper, and then visit the DVLA website's 'Take Off Number Online' page; there, you will see a green "Take Off a Number Online" button; click it.Enter the registration number you would like to remove from your vehicle. Then, fill in all fields with your 11-digit V5C document reference number and registered keeper's postcode exactly as they appear in your logbook. Finally, confirm that you are the registered keeper by selecting "Yes, I Am."The DVLA requires a £80 retention fee to complete the Retain Plate application process. If you wish to alter a nominee's name, you will have to apply via post.
Retaining your private number plate online is quick and simple. Grab your V5C logbook, make sure that your name appears as the registered keeper, and then visit the DVLA website's 'Take Off Number Online' page; there, you will see a green "Take Off a Number Online" button; click it.
Enter the registration number you would like to remove from your vehicle. Then, fill in all fields with your 11-digit V5C document reference number and registered keeper's postcode exactly as they appear in your logbook. Finally, confirm that you are the registered keeper by selecting "Yes, I Am."
The DVLA requires a £80 retention fee to complete the Retain Plate application process. If you wish to alter a nominee's name, you will have to apply via post.
2: Retain A Plate by post
If you prefer to Retain Private Number Plate by post, follow these steps. Start by downloading and printing Form V317 from the DVLA website; mark Option B with an "X" on it. On page 2, complete Section 1 by providing information you can find in your V5C logbook.In section 2, put an 'X' in all relevant boxes; then, complete section 3 with your name, address, postcode, and daytime phone number. If the ownership of the registration number needs to change, please complete Section 4.1. If a dealer is managing this process on your behalf and you want all correspondence to go directly to them, complete Section 4.2 instead.Once completed, send your form along with £80 in cash, cheque, banker's draft, or postal order made payable to DVLA Swansea. Also, include your V5C logbook and Form V317 in an envelope marked "DVLA Swansea," and mail everything to DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99.
If you prefer to Retain Private Number Plate by post, follow these steps. Start by downloading and printing Form V317 from the DVLA website; mark Option B with an "X" on it. On page 2, complete Section 1 by providing information you can find in your V5C logbook.
In section 2, put an 'X' in all relevant boxes; then, complete section 3 with your name, address, postcode, and daytime phone number. If the ownership of the registration number needs to change, please complete Section 4.1. If a dealer is managing this process on your behalf and you want all correspondence to go directly to them, complete Section 4.2 instead.
Once completed, send your form along with £80 in cash, cheque, banker's draft, or postal order made payable to DVLA Swansea. Also, include your V5C logbook and Form V317 in an envelope marked "DVLA Swansea," and mail everything to DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99.
Requirements to Retain My Private Plate
You must fulfil a few criteria before the DVLA grants your number plate retention. Your vehicle must first be registered with DVLA and must be able to start and move using its engine or battery. Additionally, the vehicle must be the type that requires MOT or an HGV certificate.Your vehicle and you must both be readily available for inspection by DVLA if requested. Per previous tax regulations and SORN declaration requirements, your car must have either been taxed annually for five years or declared off the road; use our Car Tax Check or Check My Car Reg tool to be sure. The DVLA may wish to inspect it before considering your V778 application if it has been declared SORN for longer than five years, and you will also need to tax it.
You must fulfil a few criteria before the DVLA grants your number plate retention. Your vehicle must first be registered with DVLA and must be able to start and move using its engine or battery. Additionally, the vehicle must be the type that requires MOT or an HGV certificate.
Your vehicle and you must both be readily available for inspection by DVLA if requested. Per previous tax regulations and SORN declaration requirements, your car must have either been taxed annually for five years or declared off the road; use our Car Tax Check or Check My Car Reg tool to be sure. The DVLA may wish to inspect it before considering your V778 application if it has been declared SORN for longer than five years, and you will also need to tax it.
Required Retention Document
The V5C logbook is required to retain your number plate when selling a car; without one in place and you are selling the said car, there won't be a way for you to keep its number plate with you.When applying online, you must fill out your 11-digit V5C reference number, enter it exactly as shown on its cover sheet, and ensure your postcode matches what's listed on V5C.When applying by post, send along the payment and application form and the entire V5C logbook—without it, your application won't go through!
The V5C logbook is required to retain your number plate when selling a car; without one in place and you are selling the said car, there won't be a way for you to keep its number plate with you.
When applying online, you must fill out your 11-digit V5C reference number, enter it exactly as shown on its cover sheet, and ensure your postcode matches what's listed on V5C.
When applying by post, send along the payment and application form and the entire V5C logbook—without it, your application won't go through!
How To Renew A Retention Certificate?
Your V778 retention certificate lasts ten years, so it's unlikely you'll face it expiring. But you definitely don't want to let that happen. If it expires before you assign the number plate to a vehicle or your application for another 10-year extension is rejected, you'll lose your cherished number plate.It's easy to forget about it because ten years is a long time. To prevent this, keep track of the expiry date and set a reminder somewhere.
Your V778 retention certificate lasts ten years, so it's unlikely you'll face it expiring. But you definitely don't want to let that happen. If it expires before you assign the number plate to a vehicle or your application for another 10-year extension is rejected, you'll lose your cherished number plate.
It's easy to forget about it because ten years is a long time. To prevent this, keep track of the expiry date and set a reminder somewhere.
Renew by Post:
Here's what it takes to renew a retention certificate:First, fill out Sections 5 and 6 on your V778 form before mailing the completed document to its intended address.Renewing is completely free, so you won't need to submit any payment with your application. If everything goes smoothly, you should get your new retention certificate in about 4-6 weeks.
Here's what it takes to renew a retention certificate:
First, fill out Sections 5 and 6 on your V778 form before mailing the completed document to its intended address.
Renewing is completely free, so you won't need to submit any payment with your application. If everything goes smoothly, you should get your new retention certificate in about 4-6 weeks.
What Happens After You've Applied?
If everything goes well after you send in your application, you'll get a replacement V5C logbook. This usually happens within two weeks. Sometimes, the DVLA might need to inspect your vehicle. If that's the case, they'll contact you to set it up.The 'Vehicle details' section in your new V5C logbook will show your car's latest registration number. When a private plate is taken off a car, its original registration number usually gets reassigned. This original number often includes information about the car, like an 'age identifier' and an area code showing where it was first registered.You'll also get a green V778 certificate. This shows that your old registration number is now on retention. This document might take 4-6 weeks to arrive.You can use your V778 to move your private number plate to another car you own. Or, if you buy a new or used car soon, you can transfer your private plate to that car when you're ready.
If everything goes well after you send in your application, you'll get a replacement V5C logbook. This usually happens within two weeks. Sometimes, the DVLA might need to inspect your vehicle. If that's the case, they'll contact you to set it up.
The 'Vehicle details' section in your new V5C logbook will show your car's latest registration number. When a private plate is taken off a car, its original registration number usually gets reassigned. This original number often includes information about the car, like an 'age identifier' and an area code showing where it was first registered.
You'll also get a green V778 certificate. This shows that your old registration number is now on retention. This document might take 4-6 weeks to arrive.
You can use your V778 to move your private number plate to another car you own. Or, if you buy a new or used car soon, you can transfer your private plate to that car when you're ready.
What if my V5C Logbook is Missing?
No number plate applications can be submitted without first having the V5C logbook in their possession, which, if gone missing, you can obtain a replacement through the DVLA website. For any changes that need to be made within V5C, a V62 form must be printed and submitted directly by mail to DVLA for processing.Whether you apply online or by post, the DVLA requires payment of £25 as a fee when replacing your logbook. Your new logbook should arrive within two weeks; if not, after four weeks, you should contact the DVLA.
No number plate applications can be submitted without first having the V5C logbook in their possession, which, if gone missing, you can obtain a replacement through the DVLA website. For any changes that need to be made within V5C, a V62 form must be printed and submitted directly by mail to DVLA for processing.
Whether you apply online or by post, the DVLA requires payment of £25 as a fee when replacing your logbook. Your new logbook should arrive within two weeks; if not, after four weeks, you should contact the DVLA.
What Is The Difference Between A V750 And A V778?
Both the V750 and V778 are documents from the DVLA that show a person has the right to use a specific registration number. But they are used for different situations.A V750 is for newly issued registrations that have yet to be assigned to a vehicle. On the other hand, a V778 is given when the registration has already been assigned to and used on at least one vehicle.So, if your registration number is brand new and has never been used on another vehicle before, the V750 code will apply; if it has been used on a vehicle before, it will be V778.
Both the V750 and V778 are documents from the DVLA that show a person has the right to use a specific registration number. But they are used for different situations.
A V750 is for newly issued registrations that have yet to be assigned to a vehicle. On the other hand, a V778 is given when the registration has already been assigned to and used on at least one vehicle.
So, if your registration number is brand new and has never been used on another vehicle before, the V750 code will apply; if it has been used on a vehicle before, it will be V778.
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