How to retain a private number plate

Consumer Editor

5 minute read|18th Jun 2026

The DVLA number plate retention scheme gives you the right to remove and keep a cherished or personalised number plate.

Popular with people who are selling their car or have bought a private number plate but do not want to assign it to a vehicle, the DVLA V778 retention document gives you the right to keep the private plate for up to 10 years.

Find out more about retaining a private number plate with our step-by-step how to guide.

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How to take a private number plate off a vehicle

To take a private number plate off a car, the following criteria must be met:

The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA in the UK and be capable of moving under its own power
It must have a valid MOT or HGV test certificate and be available for inspection if requested by the DVLA
The vehicle must have been either taxed or declared SORN continuously for the past five years
It must currently be taxed or have an active SORN (if it has been under SORN for more than five years, it will need to be taxed again and have a valid MOT test)

For historic or classic vehicles, a current MOT certificate is still required when applying to retain a private registration, even if the vehicle would normally be exempt from MOT testing.

Retain the number plate online

If the vehicle’s logbook (V5C) is registered in your name, you can apply online at Gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers to retain the private number plate.

It costs £80 and in most cases the process is completed straight away if the vehicle does not need to be inspected by the DVLA.

This means the personalised registration is removed from the vehicle once your application is submitted and approved.

After applying, you do not need to wait for the physical paperwork to arrive before using the number again.

You can assign the retained registration to another vehicle right away by using the reference number provided at the end of your application.

You can apply to remove a private (personalised) registration from a vehicle if you want to retain it for future use or transfer it to another vehicle.

However, according to the DVLA, registration plates beginning with ‘Q’ or ‘QNI’ cannot be retained.

When a private plate is taken off, the vehicle’s original registration is normally reassigned automatically.

If the application is approved, you will receive a V778 retention document along with an updated V5C logbook.

It is important to wait until you have both the V778 and the new V5C before selling or scrapping the vehicle. Failing to do so means you may lose the right to keep or reuse the private registration.

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Retain the number plate by post

If the vehicle’s logbook (V5C) is not in your name, you can retain the private number plate by post.

If you do not have the full logbook, you can instead provide the green ‘new keeper’ slip together with a completed V62 application for a replacement V5C.

You will need to send a completed V317 form to transfer or retain the registration number, along with the vehicle’s V5C logbook.

The V317 form can be downloaded from Gov.uk or collected from a main Post Office branch.

An £80 transfer fee must also be included with your application.

If you want to tax the vehicle at the same time, you will need to send a completed V10 application for vehicle tax, the correct payment for the vehicle tax, and a valid MOT certificate.

After your application

Once you have your private number plate confirmed it will be reassigned to your vehicle automatically. Of course, you must the display the correct (new) number plates on the car to avoid it being illegal.

Reassignment will happen immediately, and you will be issued with a new V5C logbook. However, this can take up to six weeks to arrive.

What is a private number plate?

A private (or personalised) number plate is a vehicle registration plate that the owner can choose to customise with unique number and letter combinations that differ from ones issued by the government.

These are often shorter than the traditional number plates, and can spell names or initials, abbreviations of other words, and even represent specific dates or businesses.

You must buy the rights from the DVLA or private seller, and they can be transferred to replace a standard number plate.

The private number plate must still follow legal formatting rules and not be on the list of banned DVLA number plates.

Number plate FAQs

Who do I need to inform about my private number plate retention?

You must inform your insurance provider. You may also need to update any automatic payment accounts you have, such as the Dartford Crossing Charge and Ultra Low Emission zones.

How much are private number plates?

Private number plates in the UK start at around £250, but most personalised ones cost £500 to £2,000 depending on how desirable they are. Prices can rise into the thousands or even £100,000+ for rare or very short plates. You’ll also usually pay about £80 in DVLA fees plus around £25–£70 for the physical plates

Where to buy private number plates?

You can buy private number plates directly from the DVLA website or official DVLA auctions, which is the safest and most common option. They’re also available through private dealers and resale websites, which often handle the transfer for you. Finally, you can buy them from other individuals, though you need to check all paperwork is correct.

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