You've accepted an offer on your number plate. What next?
Firstly......
"Congratulations!!"
We're glad you've succeeded in selling your number plate. We hope we've been of help in making that happen!
You may decide to manage the sale of your registrstion number yourself, or decide to take advantage of The Plate Market's
number plate transfer service. This service is available to you even if you didn't advertise with us.
The next steps depend on whether the number plate you are selling is still on a vehicle, or whether it has been placed on a V778
retention document (also referred to as a
retention certificate). The registration number could also be held on a
V750 Certificate of Entitlement.
| The registration number I'm selling is still on my vehicle |
Secondly, when you sell the registration number, agree whether the registration is to be transferred directly from your vehicle to the buyer's vehicle. Or does your buyer wish to place it on to a
Retention Document?
Transfer directly from one vehicle to another
If the buyer wishes to transfer directly from your vehicle to theirs, you need to complete DVLA form V317 Application to Transfer a Registration Number. You'll find more information in How to transfer a personal number plate. A DVLA fee applies.
Putting the number plate onto retention
If the buyer wishes to place the registration number onto a Retention Document, you need to complete DVLA form V778/1 Application to Retain a Registration Number. You'll find more detail in How to retain a personal number plate. A DVLA fee applies. You should name the new 'owner' as the nominee when making the application. Take care that the nominee name is exactly the same as the registered keeper of the vehicle to which the registration number is to be assigned. This is important, as changes later will incur further DVLA fees!
Once you have retained the number plate, your buyer must assign the registration to their vehicle by taking the appropriate documents to their local DVLA office.
Be aware that you may be asked to produce the donor vehicle at your local DVLA office for inspection, before the transfer is approved! In our experience, this is most likely with older vehicles.
| The registration number I'm selling is on a Retention Document |
If the number plate you're selling is on a
Retention Document, the process is more stratighforward.
Add your buyer's name as the nominee on your V778 Retention Document (full instructions are on the document), then send it to the DVLA. A DVLA fee applies.
Make sure the nominee is the same as the registered keeper of the vehicle to which the registration number is to be assigned. This may not necessarily be the person you have sold it to (as it may be a gift). If the receiving vehicle has outstanding finance, the registered keeper may even be the finance company. Ask your buyer to check the V5 document.
We advise your buyer confirms the nominee name in writing.
When the nominee has been added, your buyer must take the appropriate documents to their
local DVLA office and assign the registration number to their vehicle. This must be done
before the retention certificate expires.
Disclaimer
This information is for your guidance only. It is not intended as a definitive guide or a formal contract. You should refer to the DVLA for full rules and regulations.
