How to transfer a number plate
Transferring a private number plate is simpler than most people expect. Whether you’re putting a plate onto your car, moving it between two vehicles you own, or passing it to a buyer, the process runs through DVLA and is usually done online in minutes. Here’s exactly what to do, what you’ll need and what it costs.
Before you start: what you’ll need
- The V5C log book for the vehicle the plate is going on
- The retention document (V778) or certificate of entitlement (V750), if the plate isn’t currently on a vehicle
- Both vehicles’ details if you’re moving a plate from one car to another
- A plate that meets DVLA’s rules: you can’t use a private plate to make a vehicle look newer than it is
How to put a private number plate on a car
If your plate is held on a V778 or V750, you assign it to the vehicle:
- Online: use DVLA’s assign-a-number service with the vehicle’s V5C and your V778/V750 reference. The number is usually assigned immediately.
- By post: send the completed V778/V750 and the vehicle’s V5C to DVLA.
Assigning a plate to a vehicle is free.
How to transfer a number plate between two cars
To move a plate from one of your vehicles to another, you take it off the first car and put it on the second. Taking a plate off costs £80 and produces a V778 retention document; assigning it onto the second car is free. If both vehicles are registered to you, DVLA’s online service can often handle this in one go.
How to transfer a number plate to a buyer
A private registration moves between keepers through DVLA, either online or by post. Once a sale is agreed on Plate Circle, both sides are guided through the process so the plate ends up correctly assigned to the buyer. To assign it directly, you’ll need the buyer’s V5C details.
Safety first: never send a buyer a photo or scan of your V750 or V778. Those details alone could let someone assign your plate to a vehicle outside the agreed sale. On higher-value sales, both sides can agree to complete through an independent escrow provider, so the buyer’s funds are released only once the transfer is confirmed.
How long does a number plate transfer take?
Online assignments are usually immediate, so a plate can often be transferred the same day. Postal applications take longer (typically a couple of weeks), and DVLA may occasionally request a vehicle inspection, which adds time.
What it costs
- Assigning a plate to a vehicle: free
- Taking a plate off a vehicle (retention): £80
- A V778 retention document lasts 10 years and can be renewed
Always check gov.uk for the current fees and process before you start.
FAQ
How do I transfer a number plate to another car?
Take the plate off the first vehicle and assign it to the second through DVLA. If both cars are registered to you, this can often be done in one online step; otherwise you retain the plate first, then assign it. Taking it off costs £80; assigning it on is free.
How long does it take to transfer a number plate?
Online assignments are usually immediate, so a plate can often move the same day. Postal applications typically take a couple of weeks, and an occasional DVLA inspection can add time.
How much does it cost to transfer a number plate?
Assigning a plate to a vehicle is free. Taking one off a vehicle to hold on retention costs £80. Check gov.uk for current fees.
Can I transfer a number plate online?
Yes. DVLA's online service assigns a plate to a vehicle immediately in most cases, using the vehicle's V5C and your V778 or V750.
How is the plate transferred to the buyer?
Through DVLA. Depending on whether the plate sits on a vehicle or on a retention certificate, the seller either assigns it across or transfers the certificate to the buyer. Plate Circle guides both sides through the steps once the offer is accepted and paid.
How do I know my payment is safe during the transfer?
Payment is taken when you confirm the sale, and the transfer follows straight after. For higher-value plates you can choose to complete through an independent escrow provider, which holds the funds and releases them to the seller only once the transfer is confirmed.