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Everything you need to know about moving, keeping, renewing, or selling a private registration mark. Clear steps. No jargon. No stress.
Let’s be honest. DVLA forms, unfamiliar terms, and the fear of “doing it wrong” can put people off. We see it all the time. Questions like:
You’re not alone. This guide turns all of that into plain English, with clear routes depending on what you want to do.
Use the DVLA online service to remove the registration mark from the vehicle it’s currently on. If the vehicle does not need an inspection, this step is usually completed immediately and you’ll receive an online reference number. At this stage, the registration mark is temporarily held by DVLA, not placed on a certificate.
Pay the £80 DVLA transfer fee as part of the online application. This fee covers removing the registration mark and transferring it to another vehicle.
Use the online reference number to assign the registration mark to the new vehicle. If the new vehicle is eligible, the transfer usually takes effect straight away and DVLA updates their records.
Once the transfer is confirmed, fit the physical number plates showing the new registration mark. Do not fit the plates until DVLA has completed the transfer.
Tell your insurance provider about the new registration mark before driving the vehicle. You should also update any automatic payment or toll accounts that use your vehicle’s registration.
Apply to remove the registration mark from your vehicle using the DVLA service. You can do this online or by post. If the vehicle does not need an inspection, online applications are usually processed immediately.
Pay the £80 DVLA transfer fee as part of the online application. This fee covers removing the registration mark and placing it on retention.
Once approved, DVLA issues a V778 retention certificate. This confirms your right to use the registration mark and is usually valid for 10 years. The registration mark is now held on the certificate, ready to be assigned to another vehicle in future.
The vehicle the registration mark was removed from will usually be returned to its original age-related registration mark automatically. So hope you kept those number plates as it's at this stage that you can pop them back on the vehicle. DVLA updates their records and sends you an updated log book (V5C).
Tell your insurance provider about the new registration mark before driving the vehicle. You should also update any automatic payment or toll accounts that use your vehicle’s registration.
Note: If you do not renew on or before the expiry date, you permanently lose the right to the registration mark.
Look at your V750 certificate of entitlement or V778 retention certificate to find the expiry date. If the registration mark is not currently assigned to a vehicle, your right to use it expires after 10 years unless it’s renewed.
Apply to renew your right to the registration mark using the DVLA service. You can renew online or by post, but only within 28 days before the expiry date. Applications made earlier than this may be refused.
Once your renewal is accepted, DVLA extends your right to the registration mark. You do not need to assign the registration mark to a vehicle to renew it. The DVLA then issues a renewed V750 or V778, giving you another 10 years to use the registration mark. Any previous versions of the certificate are no longer valid.
Your registration mark remains securely held on the certificate until you’re ready to assign it to a vehicle. There is no fee to renew a retention or entitlement certificate.
Note: Never share photos or scans of your V750 or V778 certificate before any sale. The sensitive information is the certificate number and address (don’t show these until you’ve agreed a final sale).
Choose whether to sell the registration mark yourself directly to a buyer. Or through Yellowhite. We manage the transfer process for you, marketing your reg to thousands of private plate buyers and taking out all the risk. We will handle the assignment to the buyer’s vehicle for you - FREE.
Before you list your registration, make sure the registration mark is held on a V750 certificate of entitlement or V778 retention certificate. This proves your right to sell and assign the registration mark to another vehicle. For assistance, see scenario 2.
Use the DVLA service to assign the registration mark to the buyer’s vehicle. This can be done online or by post using your V750 or V778 and the buyer’s vehicle details. Once assigned, DVLA updates the vehicle’s records and issues a new log book (V5C) to the buyer.
DVLA completes the assignment and records the registration mark on the buyer’s vehicle. At this point, the registration mark legally belongs on that vehicle and can no longer be used by you.
The buyer fits the physical number plates showing the registration mark once DVLA has confirmed the assignment. They must also update their insurance before driving the vehicle.
You only fit new number plates after the DVLA has completed the registration transfer.
It depends on how you apply.
You should wait for confirmation before fitting plates to your vehicle.
Yes, in most cases.
Online transfers are done in two steps:
Both steps can usually be completed on the same day if the vehicles are eligible. In some case where the vehicle is not eligible for an online transfer then you will need to apply my post.
If transferring from one vehicle to another, then No.
When transferring your registration from one vehicle to another online, you receive an online reference number straight away.
You only receive a V778 retention certificate if you choose to keep the registration mark on retention instead of assigning it to another vehicle.
The DVLA fee is £80.
This applies whether you:
But, renewing a retention certificate is free.
When a private registration mark is removed, the vehicle is usually returned to its original age-related registration mark automatically. So make sure you keep your old number plates to save on reprinting them later.
The DVLA updates their records and issues a new log book (V5C) automatically.
Yes.
You can sell a registration mark either privately to a buyer or through Yellowhite’s Sell your Private Plate service – It’s Free to list your reg for thousands of private plate buyers.
Before you start, make sure your reg is on a Retention Certificate (V778) or a Certificate of Entitlement (V750).
To complete the sale, the registration mark must be assigned to the buyer’s vehicle using DVLA services.
No.
You should never share photos or scans of your V750 or V778 certificate.
Only the person named on the certificate should use it to assign the registration mark.
If a registration mark on a V750 or V778 is not renewed on or before the expiry date, you permanently lose the right to use it.
DVLA will not accept late renewals.
Yes.
Any time a vehicle’s registration mark changes, you must tell your insurance provider before driving.
You should also update any toll, parking, or congestion charge accounts linked to the registration.
Yes.
If you buy a registration from Yellowhite, our expert team can manage the transfer process for you, including DVLA paperwork and timings, so you don’t have to.
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