How to Transfer a Private Plate Before Selling Your Car

Car Owl

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Summary

• Transfer before selling: Move the plate to your name or another vehicle first.
• DVLA process: Use form V317 to retain your private plate.
• Cost: £80 to retain a plate on a certificate.

If you have a private number plate on a car you're selling, you need to transfer it first. Otherwise, the plate goes with the car. Here's how to keep it.

Your Options

1. Transfer to Another Vehicle

Move the plate directly to another car you own. Both vehicles must be:

• Registered in your name
• Taxed or have a valid SORN
• Available for inspection if required

2. Retain on a Certificate

Keep the plate on a V778 retention certificate. This lets you hold the plate without putting it on a vehicle for up to 10 years.

3. Sell or Gift the Plate

Transfer the plate to someone else. They can then put it on their vehicle.

How to Retain Your Private Plate

Online (Quickest)

1. Go to gov.uk and search "retain number plate"
2. Sign in with your Government Gateway account
3. Enter the registration number
4. Pay the £80 fee
5. Receive your retention certificate

By Post

1. Complete form V317
2. Include the vehicle's V5C (logbook)
3. Send with a cheque for £80
4. Post to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DS

Processing by post takes 2-4 weeks.

Costs Involved

Requirements

To retain a private plate, the vehicle must:

• Be registered in your name: The V5C must show you as the keeper
• Be taxed or SORN'd: Can't be untaxed without SORN
• Have a valid MOT: If it's over 3 years old
• Be available for inspection: DVLA may request to see it

When to Do It

You must retain the plate before you sell the car. Once the V5C goes to the new owner, the plate goes with it.

Timeline suggestion:

1. 2-3 weeks before sale: Apply to retain the plate
2. When certificate arrives: Put new plates on the car
3. Complete the sale: The car now has its original plate

What Happens to the Car?

When you remove a private plate, the car gets a new age-related registration. This is usually an older-style plate that reflects the car's age.

You'll need to:

• Order new physical number plates
• Receive an updated V5C with the new registration
• Update any records (insurance, etc.)

About the Retention Certificate

The V778 retention certificate:

• Valid for 10 years: You can hold the plate this long
• Renewable: Extend before it expires
• Assignable: You can put it on a vehicle anytime
• Transferable: You can sell or gift the plate using this certificate

Common Issues

V5C Not in Your Name

If you've recently bought the car, wait for the V5C to arrive in your name before applying.

Car Fails MOT

You can't retain a plate from a car without a valid MOT. Get it tested first.

Outstanding Finance

If the car has finance, the finance company may have a claim on the plate too. Check with them first.

If You Want to Sell the Plate

Private plates can be worth money. To sell:

1. Retain it on a certificate first
2. List it with a plate dealer or privately
3. Transfer to the buyer using the V778

Read our guide on buying and selling private number plates.

Don't forget to check your car's full history before selling. Use our car history check to make sure everything is in order.

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