| A "how to" guide on retaining and assigning a | | | | So what happens next? When the vehicle |
| private number plate. Retaining a personal | | | | details have been confirmed, a new age |
| number plate is a simple process and enables | | | | related number plate will be issued and |
| car registrations to be taken off a vehicle | | | | assigned to your vehicle free of charge. |
| and kept on a certificate until they are | | | | Wherever possible the vehicle will be issued |
| reassigned at a later date. | | | | with the registration number that it gave up |
| | | | as the result of the initial transfer. A |
| Are you upgrading your vehicle but want to | | | | replacement tax disc will be sent displaying |
| keep your private number plate? Maybe you | | | | the new registration number and a V948 |
| have bought another registration number but | | | | certificate will also be issued which enables |
| want to keep your old one too? If this sounds | | | | you to have the acrylic number plates |
| like you and you are confused about what to | | | | produced to display the new registration. |
| do, why not put your car registration number | | | | Once you are in receipt of the new tax disc |
| on "retention". Retaining a number plate | | | | this is confirmation that the process is |
| enables a registration number to be taken off | | | | complete. An updated V5 log book will follow |
| a vehicle and kept on a V778 retention | | | | a few weeks later from DVLA Swansea along as |
| certificate. | | | | will your retention certificate. |
| | | | |
| Retention certificates are issued by the DVLA | | | | For vehicles registered before 1963 the |
| when a registration number is transferred off | | | | replacement registration number will have no |
| a vehicle and can be held indefinitely on | | | | age identifier. This replacement mark will be |
| certificate pending future assignment to | | | | non-transferable. Dateless number plates |
| another vehicle. Number plates that are not | | | | (ones which have no age identifier) can be |
| reassigned to a vehicle must be renewed every | | | | sold for vast amounts of money, so the |
| 12 months for a fixed fee payable to the | | | | inability to transfer a replacement |
| DVLA. | | | | registration number means that people cannot |
| | | | continually sell their replacement marks for |
| Only the registered keeper can apply to | | | | profit. The vehicle can still however have |
| retain the vehicles registration number. To | | | | another private registration assigned if the |
| retain a number plate the vehicle must be | | | | owner so wishes. |
| taxed and have a valid MOT if applicable. If | | | | |
| the tax disc has expired less than 12 months | | | | Assign a car registration number that is held |
| ago, applications to retain a number plate | | | | on a retention certificate is also very easy |
| may be considered providing the vehicle has a | | | | and full instructions can be found on the |
| statutory off road notification (SORN) and | | | | reverse of your certificate. Once again |
| there is no gap between the tax disc expiring | | | | applications can be made in person or by post |
| and the SORN commencing. | | | | to your local DVLA office. Your application |
| | | | must include the completed retention |
| Retaining your car registration number is a | | | | document, V5 log bog for the vehicle you wish |
| simple and straight forward process. You will | | | | to assign the registration to, a valid MOT |
| need to complete a V778/1 form which provides | | | | certificate if applicable and the £80 |
| information about the retention process and | | | | assignment fee if this has not already been |
| can be picked up from the DVLA or in any Post | | | | paid. Please note that the grantee or nominee |
| Office. Your completed form should then be | | | | name on the certificate must match the name |
| sent to the DVLA, either by post or in | | | | that appears in the V5 log book of the |
| person, to your local DVLA office. The V5/V5C | | | | vehicle the number plate is being assigned |
| log book and an MOT certificate (if | | | | to. |
| applicable) should also be sent with your | | | | |
| application along with the fee for retaining | | | | When your application is processed a new tax |
| a number plate. The current fee for retaining | | | | disc will be issued displaying your personal |
| a number plate is £105 and is payable to | | | | registration number and an updated V5 will be |
| the DVLA. This fee includes an £80 | | | | sent out by the DVLA. You must also remember |
| assignment fee and the £25 retention fee. | | | | to inform your insurance company of the |
| | | | change of details. |