How to Transfer a Private Number Plate to Your Car

Buying the plate is the easy part. The paperwork is where most people get confused. The DVLA process is straightforward once you understand the terminology but it does involve specific documents and a mandatory fee.

Here is the full process from purchase to the plate being legal on your car.

The Two Types of DVLA Action

People often use "transfer" and "assignment" interchangeably. They are actually different things and the distinction matters.

Assigning means putting a registration onto a vehicle for the first time. The plate lives on a V750 or V778 certificate and has never been on a car. You take the certificate and assign it to your vehicle.

Transferring means moving a registration from one car to another. The plate is currently on a vehicle and you want to put it onto a different one. Both vehicles must be taxed and have a valid MOT.

What the Certificates Mean

A V750 is a Certificate of Entitlement. It is issued by the DVLA when you buy a registration directly from them at auction. It proves you own the right to use that number.

A V778 is a Retention Certificate. It is issued when a plate is removed from a vehicle and held "in retention" rather than being assigned to a new car immediately. If you buy a plate from a dealer, you will usually receive a V778.

Both certificates work the same way when it comes to assigning a plate to your vehicle.

The Steps

1. Buy the plate. From the DVLA directly, a dealer or a private seller. You receive a V750 or V778 certificate as proof of ownership.

2. Check your vehicle is eligible. The vehicle must be registered in Great Britain, currently taxed and have a valid MOT (if the vehicle requires one). You cannot put a dateless or older plate on a vehicle if it would make the vehicle appear newer than it actually is.

3. Apply to assign the number. You can do this online via the DVLA's Personalised Registrations service at gov.uk, or by post using form V317. Online is significantly faster. You pay the £80 DVLA transfer fee at this stage.

4. Receive your new V5C logbook. The DVLA updates the vehicle record and sends a new V5C showing the personalised registration. This takes around 3 to 5 working days for online applications.

5. Get new physical plates made. Once the V5C arrives showing the new number, take it to a registered number plate supplier and have plates made up. You will need to show proof of entitlement.

Vehicle Requirements

The MOT and tax requirements catch people out. If your vehicle does not have a current MOT, the DVLA will not process the assignment. Sort the MOT first. The vehicle also needs to be taxed or have a SORN in some circumstances so check before you apply.

How GetMyPlate Handles This

When you buy through GetMyPlate, we manage the entire process. You purchase the plate, we receive the certificate and handle the DVLA application on your behalf. The £80 transfer fee is included in your total. Most customers receive their updated V5C within 5 working days.

You do not need to deal with any DVLA forms. Just buy the plate and we do the rest.