How to Transfer a Car Registration Number

Summary

If you own a private number plate and have upgraded your vehicle, you may wish to transfer the registration number to your new car. Transferring a private registration from one vehicle to another is incredibly easy and quick to do. This guide will walk you through the steps, requirements, and nuances of transferring your car registration number, ensuring a smooth transition.

Steps to Transfer a Car Registration Number

1. Gather Necessary Documents

To initiate the transfer, you will need the following documents:

• V317 Form: This form is essential for transferring a registration number. You can obtain it from a local DVLA office or your main Post Office.
• V5/V5C Log Books: These are the log books for both the donor and receiving vehicles.
• MOT Test Certificates: If applicable, you need the MOT certificates for both vehicles.
• Tax Discs: Photocopies of the tax discs for both vehicles.
• Transfer Fee: The current transfer fee is £80.

2. Complete the V317 Form

Fill out the V317 form with the details of the donor vehicle (the vehicle currently carrying the registration number) and the receiving vehicle. Ensure both vehicles are currently licensed and have a valid MOT if required.

3. Submit Your Application

Submit your completed V317 form along with the required documents and transfer fee. If the donor vehicle is unlicensed, it must meet specific conditions:

• The license must not have expired more than 12 months ago.
• The vehicle must have been declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
• There should be no gap between the expiry date and the commencement of the SORN declaration.

4. Vehicle Inspection

If the donor vehicle's license has expired or it is not old enough to qualify for an MOT, the DVLA may request an inspection to ensure eligibility for the transfer process. Vehicles that have been written off can also be transferred, provided the insurance company authorizes it, and the vehicle meets all other transfer conditions.

5. Processing the Transfer

Once your application is submitted, the DVLA will process the transfer. A new tax disc will be issued for each vehicle, showing the new registrations. The number plate on the receiving vehicle will be canceled unless an application to transfer or retain the registration is made simultaneously. You will receive an updated V5 log book from DVLA Swansea.

6. Age-Related Number Plates

The donor vehicle will be issued an age-related number plate free of charge. If possible, this will be the original mark issued before the initial assignment of the personal registration number. Vehicles registered before 1963 will receive a dateless registration, which is non-transferable. However, a new personal registration can be assigned later if desired.

7. Important Considerations

• Age Restrictions: You cannot make your car appear newer than it is. For example, a "W" prefix number cannot be assigned to a "C" registered car, but a "D" prefix number could be assigned to a "Y" registered car.
• Q and NIQ Registrations: These cannot be transferred.

8. Retaining Your Registration

If you need to take your personal registration off your vehicle but do not have another vehicle to assign it to, you can use the DVLA retention scheme. This allows you to hold your private number plate on a certificate without assigning it to a vehicle. For more details and to apply, contact your local DVLA office or main post office and ask for form V778/1.

Interesting Stats

• Personalized Plates Popularity: In 2020, the DVLA sold over 374,968 personalized registration plates, generating £111 million in revenue. Source: DVLA
• Retention Scheme Usage: Approximately 20% of personalized plate owners use the retention scheme to hold their plates without assigning them to a vehicle. Source: Auto Express

Conclusion

The process of transferring a car registration number is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to keep your personalized plates as you upgrade your vehicle. With the DVLA's transfer and retention schemes, your cherished number plate can stay with you for life, making it a valuable and lasting investment.

For more detailed information, you can visit the DVLA official website or contact your local DVLA office.