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A Step-by-Step Guide
Selling your car doesn’t mean parting ways with your cherished private number plate. We’ve simplified the process of retaining your personalised registration. Follow these straightforward steps to keep your plate while smoothly selling your vehicle.
Before you can keep your private number plate, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle meets certain DVLA requirements. This step is straightforward but crucial. Skip this, and you might face complications later.
Must be registered with the DVLA.
Should be taxed or have a valid SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
Must be capable of starting and moving under its own power.
Should be available for inspection, if required.
Must have been continuously taxed or SORN for the past 5 years.
Now that your vehicle is eligible, it’s time to retain your private number plate. You have two options: applying online (recommended for its speed and simplicity) or by post if you prefer traditional paperwork.
Online:
Locate your V5C (logbook).
Visit the DVLA’s ‘Take a private number off a vehicle’ webpage.
Enter your registration number and the 11-digit reference from your V5C.
Pay the £80 retention fee online.
By Post:
Download Form V317 from the DVLA website.
Complete sections 1 and 2 (mark option B).
Provide your personal details in section 3.
Include the V5C logbook and a cheque or postal order for £80 payable to ‘DVLA, Swansea’.
Post to: DVLA Personalised Registrations, Swansea, SA99 1DS.
After submitting your application, relax and let DVLA do their part. They will handle the paperwork, but you’ll need to wait for the following:
A new V5C logbook, usually arriving within about two weeks, reflecting your vehicle’s new (or original) registration.
A V778 retention document confirming your private plate is officially yours to keep and transfer when you’re ready—expect this within 4-6 weeks.
Don’t sell or scrap your vehicle until you’ve received these documents to ensure you don’t lose your personalised number plate.
With your documents safely in hand, you’ll need to update your vehicle’s physical plates before selling. This is straightforward but essential:
Carefully remove your personalised plates from your vehicle.
Attach the newly assigned plates, which in most cases be your vehicle’s original registration, or a new one provided by DVLA.
With your private plate securely retained, you’re free to sell your vehicle confidently:
Provide the buyer with the updated V5C logbook.
Ensure your original (or newly issued) plates are clearly attached.
Complete the sale, knowing your cherished plate stays safely with you.
Yes, you can! You’ll need to apply to the DVLA to remove your private plate from your vehicle before selling. You’ll receive a V778 retention document that allows you to keep your plate for 10 years.
The DVLA charges a fee of £80 to retain a private number plate.
No. You should wait until the DVLA confirms your private plate is removed and provides a new V5C logbook and V778 retention document. Selling your car before this process completes transfers ownership of the private plate to the new buyer.
Typically, you’ll receive your updated V5C within approximately 2 weeks, and the V778 retention document may take 4–6 weeks.
Usually, your vehicle’s original registration number (or a suitable replacement) will be reassigned automatically by the DVLA.
Yes, but you must inform your insurer immediately before they declare your vehicle written off. If the insurer pays out and scrapes the vehicle before retention, you’ll lose the right to the plate.
Yes, but remember, once sold, your private plate becomes the property of the new owner. You cannot reclaim it later.
Yes, always inform your insurance company of any registration changes. They may charge a small admin fee.
You’ll need your vehicle’s V5C logbook. If you apply online, you just need the 11-digit document reference number from this logbook. If applying by post, you must send the original V5C to the DVLA.
If your V778 document expires, you’ll lose the right to your private plate permanently. Ensure you renew it before expiry.
Yes, complete form V317 with DVLA to transfer your plate directly between vehicles without needing a retention certificate.
Yes, during the retention process, you can name another individual as the nominee. The DVLA will then issue the retention document (V778) in their name, transferring ownership to them.
No, changing your number plate is not considered a modification and should not affect your insurance premiums.
You’ll need to order replacement plates for your vehicle’s original registration number. The new plates must comply with DVLA regulations and be clearly displayed before the vehicle is driven
Yes, DVLA may deny applications for various reasons, including incorrect details submitted, missing V5C, unpaid retention fees, or expired registrations. Always ensure your information is accurate and complete before submitting.
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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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