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