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A Step-by-Step Guide
Private plates are the ultimate way to personalise your vehicle… but what if your car is leased or on a PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) agreement? Good news: yes, you can put a private registration on a lease or PCP car!
It’s a straightforward process, but because the finance company technically owns the car during the lease, there are a few extra steps to follow. Let’s break it down so you can confidently give your car that custom flair.
Since the finance company owns the car during the lease, you’ll need their written authorisation. Request a letter from them confirming their approval to assign a private registration to the vehicle. Don’t worry, this is very common, and most finance companies have this as a template. And you have a template too:
Subject: Request for Authorisation to Assign Private Number Plate
Dear Finance Company,
I am currently leasing a vehicle through you with the following details:
- Vehicle Registration: [Your Car’s Reg Number]
- Finance Agreement Number: [Your Finance Agreement Number]
I would like to assign a private registration number to the vehicle. Could you please provide written authorisation confirming that I have permission to do so, and a scanned copy of the vehicle’s V5C logbook that I can send to Yellowhite to assist with the purchase and transfer of my private plate?
Please let me know if you require any further information.
Thank you for your help.
Kind regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Details]
Browse our Private Plate Search tool to find something meaningful: initials, birthdays, or just something fun.
Need help? Here’s our guide to searching for the perfect plate.
Purchase the plate securely online through Yellowhite.
For peace of mind, our checkout includes everything you need, DVLA fees, customisation options, and full support. Here’s how to buy a private plate if you want a step-by-step guide.
After the plate is transferred, the DVLA will automatically issue an updated logbook (V5C) showing your new private registration, and send it to the finance company as the legal keeper.
Bonus: If you’ve used our Easy Reg Transfer Service, we manage this entire process for you, from start to finish.
No paperwork. No delays. Just a fully assigned private plate on your lease car in as little as 1–2 days.
When your lease or PCP agreement comes to an end, you don’t want to lose your private number plate when the car goes back to the finance company. To keep your personalised reg (or to sell your private plate), you’ll need to remove it from the vehicle and place it on retention before handing the car back.
Need the full breakdown? Read our guide: How to sell your vehicle and retain your private number plate.
Yes, you can add a private reg to most leased or PCP vehicles, but you must check with your finance company first as their policies can vary. Some specialist lease agreements or short-term leases may have restrictions.
You’ll need:
You remain the legal owner of the private plate, but during the lease, it’s assigned to a vehicle owned by the finance company. Always retain your original Certificate of Entitlement or Retention Certificate as proof of ownership.
Your number plate must follow DVLA regulations, even if it’s personalised. Ensure you use an approved supplier like Yellowhite for legal printed plates to avoid fines or MOT failures.
You can sell your private plate while it’s assigned to a lease vehicle, but you’ll need to remove it and place it on a Retention Certificate first. This will require the finance company’s permission and a transfer fee of £80.
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Personalised Number Plates
© 2025 Yellowhite
Yellowhite is proud to be a DVLA-registered supplier of personalised number plates and feature on the on the DVLA Registrations website. We work closely with the DVLA to ensure your registration transfers are completed quickly and smoothly. Our plates meet all DVLA standards and regulations, so you can be confident you're getting top quality.
DVLA is a registered trade mark of the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency. Yellowhite is not affiliated to the DVLA or DVLA Personalised Registrations. Yellowhite is a recognised reseller of DVLA registrations. Yellowhite is registered with the DVLA to supply physical number plates, i.e. the actual acrylic plate.
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Pay in 3 is an unregulated credit agreement, so you will have fewer protections under this agreement than you would under a regulated credit agreement. Carefully consider whether the purchase is affordable and how you will make the repayments. Be aware of the possible impact of using Pay in 3 and of missing payments, including making other borrowing more difficult or more expensive. Pay in 3 eligibility is subject to status and approval. 18+ UK residents only. Available for purchases of £30 to £2,000. Terms and conditions apply. PayPal Pay in 3 is a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH.
