Private Number Plate FAQs
The Most Frequently Asked Reg Plate QuestionsHelp For Private Plate Buyers & Sellers
This section covers questions and answers most frequently asked by customers during the purchase, transfer and sale of personalised number plates.
If there is anything you need to discuss further, please contact the reg number experts in our admin department who will be happy to help.
What happens to my present registration number when the new personalised plate is transferred on?
The old registration will be retuned to your vehicle if you remove the personalised number plate at a later date. This returns the vehicle back to its original reg plate. You simply remove the old plates and fit the new ones at the time we advise. If you have a peronalised plate on the vehicle already, this must be placed onto retention. Regplates can do this for you.
How long does a transfer take?
The average time scale is 5 - 10 working days however many of our transfers are completed faster. We ensure that every transfer is expedited as quickly as possible. However, it should be noted that the transfer cannot be started until we receive all the required documents from all parties.
Do Regplates handle all of the paperwork with the DVLA?
Yes our experienced team will handle all of the paperwork for you including changing the V5C, updating the road tax and updating the MOT details. The only thing you need to do is contact your insurance company once we have confirmed that the transfer has been completed.
Are there any restrictions to the transfer of a private number plate with a year letter?
You cannot make a vehicle look newer than it actually is by transferring a younger year letter. For example JON 123W cannot be transferred to a vehicle originally registered as ABC 123C as this would make it look younger. However, it is possible to transfer it to JON 123X as the recipient vehicle would be newer than the donor registration. The same applies to prefix plates but vehicle registration numbers that do not contain a year identifier may be assigned to a vehicle of any age.
I do not have a vehicle yet, can I still purchase a private plate now?
Yes. We can put your chosen registration onto a retention certificate which is valid for 10 years. This can then be easily assigned when you purchase a vehicle. If you need more time, the certificate can be extended for 10 years without further charge. This must be done before the expiry date shown on the certificate.
How can I find out about the status of my transfer?
Regplates will keep you informed of the progress of the transfer but please feel free to contact us at any time during office hours (9am to 7pm) for a progress report. Telephone number 01482 627 628.
Do Regplates provide the acrylic number plates?
These are not included within the purchase price but we can arrange the number plates to be sent to you for an additional cost starting from £20.99 including delivery. We also send you an eV948 form when the transfer has been completed so that you can get plates made up locally if you prefer.
If my car already has a private plate, can I transfer both at the same time?
Yes. This is called a double transfer. It presents no problem for Regplates but you will need to supply us with the documents of the other vehicle involved and an extra £80 cheque payable to the Department of Transport. We do not make any charge for processing the paperwork. If no other vehicle is available then the mark can normally be retained on a Department of Transport retention certificate in accordance with the governing Regulations. The current fee is £80.
If my vehicle is new and not registered can I transfer a personalised number plate onto it?
Yes, this does not normally create a problem. Most car dealerships will process the transfer at the same time as registering the vehicle and simply require the number you have purchased to be supplied on a retention certificate. This way your car will be assigned a new registration of its own and the private plate will on the car ready when you collect it.
Why are some prices subject to VAT?
If the registration is actually owned by Regplates or is a government issue, VAT sometimes has to be added. Registrations not subject to VAT are usually being sold on a commission basis. Please call us or email to check on specific number plates. You can also see a breakdown of the VAT on the listing page for the number plate you have chosen.
Why have I seen the same number plate advertised in other places?
Regplates have an extensive dealer network and we send a list of our number plates to other dealers. This guarantees maximum exposure. Of course if you buy direct from Regplates the price will be cheaper.
What happens if I change my mind before the transfer has been completed?
We expect all purchase agreements to be honoured, just as you shall expect us to honour our terms of business. However, we do recognise that situations can change and we shall endeavour to advertise and sell the registration on your behalf after it has been transferred to your vehicle or payment has been made in full. PLEASE NOTE: OUR SERVICE BEGINS UPON PAYMENT BEING TAKEN, ONCE YOU HAVE ORDERED THIS REGISTRATION NUMBER IT CANNOT BE CHANGED OR CANCELLED
What payment methods are accepted?
You may pay the part payment by credit card, debit card, cheque or by bank transfer. Balances due are payable by debit card, cheque or bank transfer only.
What does DVLA, VRO and DOT stand for?
DVLA - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, VRO - Vehicle Registration Office, DOT - Department Of Transport.
My V5C says non-transferable, can I transfer a cherished number onto my vehicle?
Yes. Although you cannot transfer or retain a non-transferable number, the vehicle can receive a registration number providing the non-transferable number is not a "Q" mark and providing the vehicle meets the normal conditions of the Sales, Transfer and Retention schemes.
Why are some transfers faster than others?
If you are buying a vehicle mark that has previously never been issued or assigned to a vehicle the transfer time is usually between 5 and 10 days. The reason for the speed in which marks of this nature may be transferred is due to the fact that there is no donor vehicle to be inspected by the Department Of Transport. Where a mark has been previously assigned to another vehicle there may be a need to arrange an inspection of the donor vehicle prior to completing the transfer. In order to make a vehicle ready for transfer the donor vehicle must be taxed and hold a current MOT certificate, these documents may take a few weeks to acquire from the donor.
Does the recipient vehicle need to be inspected?
Not usually. However, if for example there was a change of construction of the vehicle the authorities may then want to inspect it. You would be notified if this was necessary.
What happens if I need to tax or MOT my vehicle while the transfer being processed?
This presents no problem, you can simply tax the vehicle online and we will update the tax to the new registration as part of the transfer. In the case of a new MOT, again you must ensure that the garage MOT the vehicle under the old registration mark and this will be updated when we complete the transfer for you.
Is it possible to transfer a mark to a vehicle with a "Q" mark?
Transfers are not possible to "Q" registered vehicles.
Do I have to keep the registration for a certain time before I can transfer it?
There are no time restrictions and transferring a mark is a simple procedure which may be applied for yourself. Please note that any mark purchased from us must not be offered for re-sale until our transaction with you has been finalised.
Can I ask Regplates to try and obtain an un-issued combination?
Yes. However in any event it is at the sole discretion of the governing bodies. If a specific personalised number plate combination has not been released previously, we can apply to put it into a DVLA number plate auction. This process can take up to 3 months but is a great way of getting hold of your perfect plate!
Why is my registration number being offered for sale on the Regplates web site?
Regplates provide details of the many available marks Nationwide. In addition to selling thousands of our own stock items we also hold many public commissions and the stock and commissions of many other dealers throughout the UK. Occasionally, records are miss-typed and appear as an alternative combination that is in fact not for sale. Also there are circumstances where a recently acquired mark is still on our database due to the fact that the donor has failed to advise us of the sale and subsequent non-availability. If you have recently noted that your mark is listed and you would like to have it removed, please simply drop us an email and we will be happy to update our records.
What do I get for my money when I buy a previously unissued mark?
Registration numbers are not items of property so you cannot buy legal title to them. What you pay for is the assignment right to the particular number. The sale involves a legally binding contract between the Secretary of State and the purchaser for an agreed price. The purchaser is granted the right to assign the number to a vehicle registered in his/her own name, or that of his/her nominee where applicable, within the expiry date of the certificate. The assignment right is granted to the purchaser alone and it is non-transferable - the nominee has no rights to the number.
In addition to the agreed sale price, an assignment fee (currently £80) is payable at the time of purchase. Buyers are issued with a V750 Certificate of Entitlement which records details of the registration number, the purchaser and nominee details where supplied at the time of purchase. If, after you have received your certificate, you wish to add or change nominee details, you will need to apply to the DVLA returning your certificate to them or we will of course be happy to assist with this. If you do not wish to assign the number before the certificate expiry date, you can apply to extend your assignment rights.
What if my vehicle is stolen and not recovered?
If your vehicle is stolen and has not been recovered after a year you can apply to have its registration number re-assigned to your replacement vehicle providing certain conditions are met. In order to qualify for the concession, the theft must have been notified to the police and recorded at DVLA as stolen for not less than 12 months. In addition, at the time of the theft the vehicle must have had a current test pass certificate and have had a current vehicle excise License. The DVLA will also require a letter from your insurers confirming that they have no objection to the number being re-issued. This must be provided because once insurers have settled your claim, they have a rightful claim to the vehicle should it be recovered.
What if my vehicle is "written off"?
In this case we advise retaining your plate as soon as possible. A write-off happens when a damaged vehicle is judged by insurers to be beyond economic repair. In such a case, the insurance company agrees a pay-out with the insured, and legal ownership of the vehicle then passes to the insurance company. The company is then free to sell the vehicle as salvage and the purchaser may repair it and put it back on the road.
What if my vehicle has been scrapped?
Scrapping occurs when a vehicle, whether an insurance write-off or not, is broken up for spares or otherwise destroyed. Once a vehicle ceases to exist its registration number is cancelled. If your vehicle has been scrapped, you will not be able to transfer its registration number. The person who actually breaks up or destroys the vehicle must notify the governing bodies that the vehicle has been scrapped and return the V5 registration document.
How did personalised number plates start in the UK?
A1 - The Ultimate Number Plate?
Number plates were first issued in 1903 when Earl Russell was assigned the highly prestigious mark A1 to his Napier motor car by London County Council.
Even in the early days, people recognised the significance and enjoyment brought by owning a prestigious or personalised number plate and often kept them within the family for many years. Their significance is often highly personalised to their owners. Some like to have a registration that originated in their local area, some are attracted to owning their own initials and others enjoy the fun of a word based registration mark.
Registrations that are car related always prove popular such as 45 TON on an Aston Martin DB6
Since their humble beginning in 1903, cherished numbers have continued to increase in popularity often adding the finishing touch to our prized possessions and very often prove to be a valuable investment.
The Motor Car Act 1903, which came into force on 1 January 1904, required all motor vehicles to be entered on an official vehicle register, and to carry number plates. The Act was passed in order that vehicles could be easily traced in the event of an accident or contravention of the law. Vehicle registration number plates in the UK are rectangular or square in shape, with the exact permitted dimensions of the plate and its lettering set down in law.
Regplates Youtube guide on how to correctly fit number plates.
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