How To Retain A Private Number Plate (2023)

A guide outlining the steps to keeping a private registration number that is currently assigned to your vehicle.

How To Retain A Private Number Plate (1)

Perhaps you are planning to sell your car or maybe you've bought a new private number plate but want to keep your vehicle registration. Regardless of the reason, safely retaining a number plate until it is needed is a useful option to have. Fortunately, DVLA provides this service with their number plate retention scheme.

The vast majority of private number plates are eligible for retention. Private number plates that begin with Q/NIQ are non-transferable. You can easily find out if you can retain your number plate by looking at the special notes section of the V5C document.

It's a simple process to apply for a number plate to be retained. The application can be done online or by post. You'll receive a V778 (Certificate of Retention) if your application has been approved. This proves your ownership of the registration and means you are able to transfer the private plate to a vehicle when you're ready to do so.

Retaining a number plate online

To satisfy the rules governing number plate transfers, any vehicles involved must be:

  1. Check that your name is on the V5C document.
  2. Visit the DVLA website and click 'take a private number off a vehicle'.
  3. Click the green button labelled 'take off a number online.'
  4. Enter the registration number you want to take off.
  5. Type in your latest V5C reference number.
  6. Enter the registered keeper's postcode.
  7. Confirm that you are the registered keeper by selecting 'Yes I am'.
  8. Pay the DVLA transfer fee of £80.
  9. Await the arrival of your V778 retention document and your updated vehicle logbook with the replacement registration number.

You will be issued a replacement V5C document showing the registration number that has been assigned to your vehicle in place of the one you've removed.

You must display this replacement registration number before driving. Please note that the V778 can take 4-6 weeks to arrive.

Retaining a number plate by post

You can also submit an application to retain your private number plate by post. This is the method you will need to follow if you're looking to change the details of the nominee.

You will need to:

  1. Download and print the V317 doc from the DVLA website.
  2. Put an 'X' in the box of Option B.
  3. Complete section 1 on page 2 with the details of the vehicle. You can find these details on your V5C document.
  4. Tick the most relevant statement that applies to the vehicle in Section 2.
  5. Fill out section 3 with the details of the person making the application.
  6. Complete section 4.1 of the form only if there is to be a change to the ownership of the registration number.
  7. Complete section 4.2 of the form only if a dealer is acting for you and you want them to receive correspondence and documentation on your behalf.
  8. Send the completed V317 form and other required items (as listed on the document) to DVLA at the address on the form. You must send:
    • The V317 form
    • Your V5C vehicle registration document
    • The DVLA retention fee of £80.
  9. Wait for the arrival of your V778 retention document with your updated V5C.

Retaining a number plate from a vehicle to a certificate

When you have a private registration on a vehicle and you would like to remove and keep it on a retention certificate, these are the steps you need to take:

NB: If you need to change the nominee name, follow the instructions for 'Retain by post'.

Retain online

  1. Check that your name is on the V5C document.
  2. Visit the page Take a private number off a vehicle on the DVLA website.
  3. Click the green button labelled 'Take off a number online.'
  4. Type in the registration number you want to remove.
  5. Fill in the relevant sections with your V5C (logbook) document reference number and the registered keeper's postcode as it appears on the logbook.
  6. Confirm that you are the registered keeper by clicking 'Yes I am.'
  7. Pay the DVLA retention fee of £80.

After you apply

You will be issued a replacement V5C document showing the registration number that has been assigned to your vehicle in place of the one you've removed. You must display this replacement registration number before driving. Please note that the V778 can take 4-6 weeks to arrive.

Retain by post

  1. Download and print Form V317.
  2. Put an 'X' in the box of option B.
  3. Complete section 1 on page 2 with the details of the vehicle. You can find these details on your V5C document.
  4. Tick the most relevant statement that applies to the vehicle in section 2.
  5. Fill out section 3 with the details of the person making the application.
  6. Complete section 4.1 of the form only if there is to be a change to the ownership of the registration number.
  7. Complete section 4.2 of the form only if a dealer is acting for you and you want them to receive correspondence and documentation on your behalf.
  8. Enclose a cheque of £80 payable to DVLA Swansea along with completed form V317 and the V5C (logbook) of your vehicle.
  9. Send everything to the address stated on the V317 document.

A successful application will result in new, updated V5C (logbook) being posted to you, usually within 2 weeks.

If the number you are retaining was a private number plate then DVLA will usually reissue the registration number with which your vehicle was originally registered.

What are the requirements for retaining a number plate?

To satisfy the rules governing number plate retentions, any vehicles involved must be:

  • registered with the DVLA;
  • available for inspection if required;
  • able to start and move under their own power;
  • the kind of vehicle that needs an MOT or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) test certificate;
  • declared off-road by a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) for the last 5 years without interruption, otherwise it will need to be taxed and more than 5 years, it will need to be taxed and an inspection could also be required.

Transferring a vehicle registration is a simple process. Of course, many people prefer the peace of mind provided by an experienced, professional team. That's why Regtransfers offers our customers the option of a fully managed transfer service, taking care of all red tape and formalities.

What happens when a retention certificate expires?

A retention certificate is valid for 10 years and can be renewed for a further 10 years.

Within the last 28 days of the retention term, you can submit an application to renew your V778. Your application could be declined if you choose to renew your certificate before the last 28 days.

Failure to renew your V778 document will result in you losing your rights to your private number plate as the DVLA will not accept any applications after the 10-year period.

Renew by post

To renew your retention certificate:

  1. Fill in section 5 and section 6 on the V778.
  2. Send to the address stated on the document.

You will not have to enclose any payment to the DVLA, as the application is completely free. If your application is successful, it should take 4-6 weeks for your new retention certificate to arrive.

Are you considering a private number plate?

Regtransfers is home to over 50 million personal number plates. Search and buy the perfect private plate with us. Once you've purchased your private registration, you're going to want to know how to transfer a private number plate. Otherwise, our fully managed transfer service will ensure that your new number plate is assigned to your vehicle with ease.

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