While the most expensive personalised number sold in the UK cost an eye watering £518,480 back in 2014, private number plates are not reserved for the super-rich. You can get your own starting from about £130 (via DVLA auction) and they can be a great way to add a little more personality to your motor.
What is a private/ personalised registration number?
If you have the right to a private number that is not currently being used, you can apply to assign it (put it on) to your own vehicle.
How to buy a personalised number plate
1. Find your number
First, you will need to buy the private number that you want. Once you’ve found your dream number, you can then go about buying it for your vehicle, either from the DVLA (directly or through an auction) or from a private seller.
Keep in mind, though, that if you do decide to go with a private seller, it is your responsibility to make sure all relevant documentation is genuine and registered with the DVLA. This includes the Certificate of Entitlement (V750) and/or the retention document (V778).
2. Find your number plate supplier
So, you’ve got yourself the perfect number for your licence plate, now what? Well, you’re going to need to get your hands on the actual physical licence plate now. To do this, you’ll need to go through a registered supplier.
We are officially recognised by the DVLA as a number plates supplier, so all of our number plates are road legal. You can order number plates here.
3. Assign your number
The next step is to assign the number to your vehicle. You can do this through the DVLA website or through post if that’s more your speed (you’ll need to send them your Certificate of Entitlement and the vehicle’s logbook). If you decide to use the website route, then the number can be assigned instantly, and you can add your plate immediately to your vehicle. In fact, once your new number has been assigned, you MUST add that number to your vehicle before you can drive it on the road.
Rules on what is and is not allowed when choosing a new registration number
When you’re hunting for your perfect number, there are some important rules you’ll need to follow. Obviously, while it would be nice to have completely free reign in this area, whichever number you go after must still be a valid licence plate, along with a few other common-sense stipulations.
First, it’s important to know the different types of number plates you can buy. These are split up into four different categories and relate to the different number systems that the UK has implemented over the years (largely to communicate where and when the car was registered).
CURRENT – This is a number plate using the current system being used by the DVLA. These number plates are made up of seven characters: two letters followed by two numbers, a space, and then another three letters. The first two letters tell you where the car was registered, the two numbers tell you when, and the final three letters are random.PREFIX – This was used between 1981 – 2001 and was called the prefix system as it was just the first letter of the licence plate that indicated the car’s age.
SUFFIX – The suffix system was in use from 1963 – 1981. Every licence plate started with the letter A, and the final letter was used to denote the cars age.
DATELESS – Dateless plates were used before 1963 and were a bit of chaos to be honest. They were any combination of letters and numbers and there was nothing to indicate the car’s age. However, these features now make dateless plates extremely desirable, so they often fetch the highest price.
Regardless of the type of plate you want to buy, there are some limitations you need to keep in mind.
Limits
- You cannot use a private number that makes a vehicle look newer than it is – for example, an ‘07’ registration number on a 2003 registered vehicle.
- The DVLA issue ‘Q’ registration numbers to vehicles whose age or identity is in doubt – or ‘NIQ’ in Northern Ireland. This means you cannot begin your private number with ‘Q’ or ‘NIQ’ unless your vehicle is classed as such.
- Similarly, you cannot put a private number on a ‘Q’ or ‘NIQ’ registered vehicle.
- Rude reg plates... this one speaks for itself, we hope.
Rules on what is and is not allowed on your registration plate
As with most of life, it’s not just what you say when it comes to number plates, it’s also how you say it. With that in mind, when you get your number plate made, it’s important to know that there are some guidelines to follow here as well. These rules largely revolve around ensuring that your licence plate is always easy to read.
This means:
- You can’t use 3D plates, as these make it difficult for cameras to register your number.
- You can’t modify your number plate to affect your number, such as using tape of screws to change letters or numbers.
- You must use the official font so that there are no discrepancies when reading licence plates.
Getting your plate made through a DVLA-approved supplier is the easiest way to ensure that you follow of the guidelines and avoid any costly fines.
After you assign a private number
Once your new number is assigned, you’ll be sent a few important items that you’ll need to keep safe:
- A new logbook (V5C) - you’ll need this before you can sell the car.
- Your original MOT back – this will only be included if you sent it to tax the vehicle as well as have your number assigned.
Now that the DVLA have your number assigned to your vehicle, you must put the new number plates on the vehicle before you can drive it.
You can keep the original registration number and plates – in fact you really should keep them extra safe, as they’ll be reassigned to the vehicle if you decide to take off the private number.
Now the last thing to consider is who needs to know about your new registration. Obviously, your friends and family (who will no doubt be blown away by you hilarious/rare/personal licence plate), but there are a few official sources who need to know as well.
First, you must tell your insurance company. This, hopefully, is a bit of a no brainer; your insurance company can’t cover your car if they don’t know which one it is.
After that, there may be a few automatic services you use that will also need to know about your new licence plate, such as:
- The Congestion Charge
- The Low Emission Zone Charge
- The Ultra Low Emission Zone Charge
- The Dartford Crossing Charge
- Charges for driving in Clean Air Zones
How to take a private number off your car (retention)
If you don’t want to use your private number anymore, you will need to apply to take it off your vehicle. That doesn’t mean you need to give up your rights to using that number though, as you can put it ‘on retention’ to use later. This is like assigning the number to a ‘phantom car’; you can’t drive it, but it is still technically in use.
Once you’ve done this, you’ll be sent a V778 retention document proving you still have the right to use the number.
One thing to keep in mind though: If you’re not using your private number on a vehicle, it must be renewed every 10 years. Private numbers purchased before 2015 should be renewed more often – just check your V750 or V778 document. If you miss the expiry date, you will permanently lose the right to use the number.
The good news, though, is that you can apply up to 28 days before it expires and it’s free to do.
Selling a private number
You can also sell your private number if you no longer want it. You can either sell it personally, perhaps to someone you know, or you can sell it through a dealer for a wider scope.
Important: If you’re selling your private number privately, never share a scan or photograph of either your V750 or V778 document. Someone other than the buyer could use it to put the private number on another vehicle.
Transfer a private number
The last thing to consider with personalised licence plates is moving them between your cars if, say, you have just bought a new car buy want to keep the licence plate. The DVLA will do this for you for a nominal fee of £80, just don’t forget to keep your insurance up to date as well.
If you enjoyed reading this blog, you might also like:
