Number plate retention explained
Number plate retention is the DVLA process of taking a private registration off a vehicle and holding the right to use it on a document, rather than having it assigned to a car. It’s how owners preserve a valuable registration when changing cars, get a plate ready to sell, or simply pause it for later use. This guide explains how retention works, what the V778 and V750 documents are (and how they differ), what it costs, and how to sell a plate held on retention safely.
What retention means
When a private registration is “on retention”, it isn’t assigned to a vehicle. The right to use the registration is held on a DVLA document in the grantee’s name, ready to be assigned to a car (yours, or a nominee’s, or a buyer’s) at any time within the document’s validity. The vehicle the plate came off (if any) returns to its previous registration automatically.
When to retain a number plate
- You’re selling the car but want to keep the plate.
- You’re preparing the plate for sale and want it off the vehicle first.
- You’re moving the plate from one car you own to another, with a gap in between.
- You want to preserve the value of a strong registration without it being tied to a particular vehicle.
V750 and V778 explained, and the difference
Two DVLA documents come up constantly in the world of private plates. They do similar jobs, but they aren’t the same.
V778 (retention document)
Issued when you take a plate off a vehicle and onto retention. The registration has been on a car at some point. The V778 names the grantee (the person who holds the right to use the plate) and optionally a nominee (the person who can assign it to a vehicle they own). Valid for 10 years; can usually be renewed.
V750 (certificate of entitlement)
Issued for a registration that has never been on a vehicle, typically because it was bought new from DVLA Personalised Registrations or a DVLA auction. Same structure as a V778 (grantee, optional nominee, 10-year validity); it’s the original entitlement document.
The practical difference
For everyday buying, selling and assigning, the two documents work the same way: each lets the holder put the plate on a vehicle they own (or transfer it to a buyer). The difference is purely the plate’s history: a V750 plate has never been on a car, a V778 plate has been retained from one. Some collectors place a small premium on never-issued V750 registrations; otherwise it’s a paperwork distinction rather than a value one.
How to put a plate on retention
You apply to DVLA to take the registration off the vehicle. This currently costs £80. You can do it online (the registration usually comes off straight away if no inspection is needed) or by post using form V317. DVLA then issues you a V778 in your name, valid for 10 years, and the car’s previous registration returns to it automatically. Always check gov.uk for the current fee and process before you start.
Selling a plate that is on retention
If your registration is held on a V778 retention document, or on a V750 certificate of entitlement, you can sell it on Plate Circle without putting it on a vehicle first. List it for free, and when you accept an offer the buyer confirms and pays the buyer’s premium. You then nominate the buyer as the new grantee so DVLA can complete the transfer. On higher-value sales, both sides can agree to complete through an independent escrow provider, so payment is only released once the transfer goes through.
Safety point: never send a buyer a photo or scan of your V750 or V778. Anyone with those details could assign your plate to a vehicle that isn’t part of the agreed sale. Wait until the sale is confirmed and the transfer is being run through DVLA before any document details change hands.
Buyer and seller checks
- Confirm the document is in date. V778 and V750 are valid for 10 years; an expired document needs renewing before the plate can be assigned.
- Check the grantee/nominee names match the person you’re dealing with.
- Don’t share photos of the document itself before money has changed hands and a safe handover route is agreed.
- For higher-value sales, agree with the other side to complete through an independent escrow provider.
FAQ
What is number plate retention?
Retention is the DVLA process of taking a private registration off a vehicle and holding the right to use it on a document, so the registration is no longer assigned to a car. You can keep it on retention until you assign it to another vehicle or sell it on.
What is a V778?
A V778 is the retention document DVLA issues when you take a private plate off a vehicle. It's valid for 10 years, names the grantee and any nominee, and is what you use to assign the plate to a vehicle later. Removing a plate onto a V778 currently costs £80.
What is a V750?
A V750 is a certificate of entitlement issued by DVLA for a registration that has never been on a vehicle, typically because it was bought from DVLA Personalised Registrations or a DVLA auction. Like a V778, it names the grantee, is valid for 10 years and is used to assign the registration to a vehicle.
What's the difference between a V750 and a V778?
A V750 covers a registration that has never been on a car (a 'new' DVLA-issued plate). A V778 covers a registration that has been on a car and was later retained. Both let the holder assign the plate to a vehicle they own (or nominate someone else), both last 10 years, and both can be used to transfer the plate to a buyer once sold.
How much does it cost to retain a number plate?
Taking a plate off a vehicle and onto a V778 currently costs £80 (paid to DVLA). Assigning the plate to a vehicle later is free. Always check gov.uk for the current fee before you start.
How long is a retention document valid?
Both the V778 and V750 are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or last renewal. You can apply to renew before they expire so you don't lose entitlement to the registration.
Can I sell a number plate that's on retention?
Yes. A plate held on a V778 (or a V750 that has never been on a car) can be sold and assigned straight to the buyer's vehicle. The seller stays the grantee on the document; the buyer's details go on the vehicle the plate is assigned to.
Can I sell a registration that is on a retention certificate?
Yes. A plate held on a V778 or V750 certificate can be listed and sold like any other. When the sale completes, you transfer the certificate to the buyer through DVLA so they become the new grantee. On higher-value sales, both sides can agree to complete through an independent escrow provider, so payment is only released once the transfer goes through.