Buying Private Number Plates? You’ll Need These DVLA Documents

 

You’ve finally found some private plates and can’t wait to add them to your vehicle. But you’ll soon realise that the DVLA has a form or certificate for pretty much everything.

 

Knowing which ones you need can save time and prevent you from feeling like you’re jumping through hoops.

 

We’re here to walk you through each document you’ll come across, what it does, and when you’ll need it.

 

V317 – Application to Transfer or Retain a Registration

 

The V317 form is used when you want to take a private registration off a vehicle and either transfer it to another vehicle or keep it on retention for use later.

 

Many registration transfers and retention applications can now be completed online, but the V317 remains available for applications that need to be made by post.

 

There is an £80 DVLA fee when taking a registration off a vehicle. There are also eligibility requirements to be aware of, including:

 

• The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA in the UK and able to move under its own power.
• It must be a type of vehicle that requires an MOT or heavy goods vehicle test and must be available for inspection if the DVLA requests one.
• A private registration cannot be used to make a vehicle appear newer than it really is. For example, a vehicle first registered in 2019 cannot display a 2021 age-identifying registration.
• You cannot assign a private registration to a vehicle registered with a ‘Q’ or ‘QNI’ registration number.
• Some registration marks may also be recorded as non-transferable, meaning they cannot be removed from the vehicle.

 

V750 – Certificate of Entitlement

 

A V750 Certificate of Entitlement confirms your right to assign a registration number that has not previously been assigned to a vehicle.

 

You’ll normally receive or have entitlement recorded on a V750 when a new private registration is purchased. The certificate allows the registration to be assigned to an eligible vehicle when you’re ready.

 

A V750 is generally valid for 10 years. If you haven’t assigned the registration by the expiry date, the right to use it can be renewed free of charge before it expires.

 

The certificate contains important details relating to the registration and the person entitled to assign it.

 

If you’re buying a registration as a gift, a nominee can be added where appropriate so the registration can later be assigned to their vehicle.

 

V778 – Retention Document

 

If you have a private plate that you want to remove from a vehicle and keep for later use, the registration can be placed on a V778 Retention Document.

 

For example, if you’re selling or changing your current vehicle but want to keep your private registration, retaining it prevents the registration from being lost with the vehicle.

 

As with a V750, the right to use a registration held on a V778 is normally valid for 10 years and can be renewed free of charge before it expires.

 

Keep the document or its associated details safe, as they will be required when you’re ready to assign the registration to another eligible vehicle.

 

V5C – Vehicle Registration Certificate

 

You’ve probably heard of the V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate, commonly known as the vehicle logbook.

 

The V5C records the vehicle’s registered keeper and important information about the vehicle. It is important to remember that the registered keeper is not necessarily the legal owner of the vehicle, and the V5C itself is not proof of ownership.

 

V5C details are important when assigning, retaining or transferring private registrations because they allow the DVLA to identify the vehicle and its registered keeper.

 

What if I’ve Lost My V5C Logbook?

 

V5C logbooks can be misplaced, lost, damaged or destroyed. If you need the V5C details to complete a private registration application, you may need to obtain a replacement before the registration change can proceed.

 

If you’re the registered keeper and the details do not need to change, you can usually apply for a replacement V5C online or by phone.

 

If details need to be changed, or you’re not yet recorded as the registered keeper, you may need to apply by post using form V62.

 

The DVLA website explains which replacement method applies to your circumstances.

 

INF46

 

INF46 isn’t a certificate or application form, but it is a useful DVLA guide explaining how personalised vehicle registration numbers work.

 

If you’re unfamiliar with private number plates, the guide covers areas including:

 

• Private registration rules and vehicle eligibility.
• Restrictions affecting which registrations can be transferred or assigned.
• How the assignment, transfer and retention processes work.

 

It’s a useful way to understand private registrations and make sure you have the correct documentation in place. You can read the DVLA guide here.

 

V948 – Number Plate Authorisation

 

A V948 is a number plate authorisation certificate that can be used as evidence that you’re entitled to have physical number plates made displaying a particular registration.

 

The DVLA also uses electronic number plate authorisation certificates for eligible online transactions. These are among the documents a registered number plate supplier can accept as proof that you’re entitled to use the registration.

 

Vehicle Tax and Related Documents

 

Buying and assigning a private registration is only one part of keeping a vehicle legally registered for use on the road. You may also come across DVLA documents relating to vehicle tax.

 

V11 – Vehicle Tax Reminder

 

The DVLA may send a V11 reminder when your vehicle tax is due to expire. It includes the information needed to renew your vehicle tax.

 

You can normally tax your vehicle online, and other options may also be available depending on your circumstances.

 

If your vehicle registration has recently changed, make sure you use the current registration details when managing vehicle tax and other vehicle-related accounts.

 

V10 – Application for Vehicle Tax

 

The V10 is an application form that can be used to tax certain vehicles where an online application or V11 reminder is not being used.

 

Which documents you need will depend on your circumstances and the records currently held by the DVLA.

 

Forms and Documents That the DVLA No Longer Uses

 

The DVLA has also discontinued or replaced some older vehicle documents as more services have moved online. These include:

 

• Tax discs: Physical tax discs were abolished in 2014. Vehicle tax records are now held electronically, so motorists no longer need to display a paper tax disc in the vehicle.
• Older Northern Ireland forms: Some historic Northern Ireland-specific registration documents and processes have been replaced as vehicle registration services have become integrated with the wider DVLA system.

 

The Bottom Line

 

Buying a private number plate is your opportunity to showcase your personality and make a statement. While assigning or transferring a personalised registration can initially seem complicated, the process is straightforward when you have the correct documents and information.

 

Aside from offering a huge selection of private plates, Swiftreg also offers a Full Transfer Service. We handle the process for you, helping to make the registration transfer as straightforward as possible.

 

Please contact us for more information.