If you’re getting rid of your vehicle but you have a private number plate attached to it, chances are that you are going to want to keep the number plate. This is known as retention. It is a simple and easy process that can be arranged through the DVLA, once you have removed the plate you can choose to put it onto another vehicle, sell it or keep it.
How do I retain my number plate?
Retaining your number plate is straightforward and can be done via the DVLA website. You will have to fill out the V317 form and send your application off. Alternatively, you also have the option to apply via post, which you will be required to do in certain circumstances, such as the death of the number plate owner.
The cost of having your number plate retained is £80 and once the application has been approved, you will be able to retain your number plate for up to 10 years. If after 10 years you want to continue to retain it, you will have to re-apply, however it will be free of charge. If you decide to put the number plate on another vehicle, you will have to send off the V5C for the vehicle along with the V317 form. When your application has gone through, you will receive a Retention Document to prove that the plate can be taken off the vehicle.
Am I eligible to retain my number plate?
If you want to retain your private number plate there are certain rules which your vehicle and plate must abide by, such as:
- You must be the registered keeper of the plate and vehicle
- The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA
- It must not be a Northern Irish number plate
- The plate cannot be transferred if it begins with Q
- The vehicle must have a valid MOT
- The vehicle must be taxed, or declared SORN (Statuary Off Road Notification) for 5 consecutive years
The DVLA can ask to inspect your car, therefore it must be in a fit state for the road and be driven to the DVLA offices.
I want to sell my private number plate
If once you’ve retained your number plate you decide you want to sell it on, then this is possible. The best places to sell your number plate are online dealerships such as NewReg.co.uk. Specialist sites like these have a target audience for your plate as opposed to going onto market places such as eBay where it is a lot harder to find your niche buyer.
When you sell your number plate, along with the V317 form, ensure than the new owner of the number plate fills out sections 9.1 so that they can become the grantee. If, however, you just simply want to pass the number plate onto another person’s vehicle then they are known as the nominee and must fill out section 9.2.
What happens next?
Once you have applied and sent over any relevant documents to the DVLA, it could take up to 4 weeks for your application to be approved. Once it has been approved you can have your number plate removed from the vehicle and retained for whatever purpose you wish. The DVLA will send you a number plate, usually the previous plate for the vehicle that you can attach. If they are unable to send the original number plate, you will be sent one that coincides with the year that the vehicle was manufactured. If you stated in the V317 form that someone else was going to retain the number plate, then the retention document will be sent to their address.
