Keep Your Cherished Number Plate

Retaining Your Cherished Registration Mark: A Comprehensive Guide

It can be a distressing thought: you've finally acquired that perfect personalised number plate, or perhaps you've owned a vehicle for years and grown attached to its existing registration. The prospect of scrapping or selling that car might lead you to believe you'll lose your cherished mark forever. Fortunately, this is not the case. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offers a straightforward service to retain your registration number, ensuring it doesn't vanish into the ether. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from understanding the retention certificate to the practical steps involved in keeping your unique identifier.

Understanding Registration Retention

At its core, registration retention is the process of "taking" your number plate off a vehicle and assigning it a new, temporary registration. This allows you to keep the personalised or favoured registration mark for future use, typically on another vehicle. The official document that facilitates this is known as a registration retention certificate, or more formally, a V778 form. This certificate is your proof of ownership of the right to use that specific registration mark.

Why Retain Your Number Plate?

There are several compelling reasons why you might choose to retain a registration number:

• Personalisation: You've invested in a number plate that holds personal significance, such as initials, a special date, or a meaningful word.
• Investment: Some registration numbers can increase in value over time, and retaining them allows you to preserve this asset.
• Vehicle Upgrade/Change: You're selling or scrapping your current vehicle but want to transfer your unique registration to a new one.
• Temporary Removal: You might wish to remove a registration from a vehicle that is off the road and won't be used for an extended period.

The DVLA Retention Service: Two Paths to Preservation

The DVLA provides two primary methods for retaining your registration number: online and via post. Each has its own process, but both achieve the same outcome.

Option A: Retaining Your Number Plate Online (The Swift Approach)

For speed and convenience, the DVLA's online service is the preferred method. It's designed to be user-friendly and efficient.

What You'll Need:

• V5C Reference Number: This is an 11-digit number found on your vehicle's registration certificate (logbook).
• Payment Method: A credit or debit card to pay the £80 fee.

Step-by-Step Online Retention:

1. Visit the DVLA Online Retention Service: Navigate to the official DVLA website and locate the personal registration retention service. Be aware that this service is typically available between 7 am and 7 pm daily.
2. Provide Necessary Details: You will be prompted to enter the registration number you wish to retain, your V5C reference number, and the keeper's postcode as it appears on the V5C.
3. Grantee and Nominee Options: During the online process, you'll have the option to specify a 'grantee' or a 'nominee'.
   • Grantee: This is the person or company who will be issued the retention certificate and will have legal ownership of the registration. You would typically fill this in if you are selling the number plate to someone else.
   • Nominee: This is someone who will take ownership of the number plate if you transfer it to their vehicle. This is ideal if you plan to gift a personalised registration to a family member or friend.

   If you leave these fields blank, the retention certificate will be issued to the current registered keeper.

4. Payment: Complete the transaction using your credit or debit card. The fee is currently £80.
5. Confirmation and Certificate: Upon successful completion, you will receive immediate electronic confirmation. The official V778 retention certificate will then be posted to you within approximately two weeks.

Once the retention is complete, the vehicle from which the plate was removed will be issued with a new, random registration mark. You are then free to sell or scrap the original vehicle without any concern about losing your cherished registration.

Option B: Retaining Your Number Plate Through the Post (The Traditional Route)

For those who prefer a paper-based process or cannot access the online service, the postal method is available. Be aware that this method generally takes longer to process.

What You'll Need:

• V5C Document: The original registration certificate for the vehicle from which the plate is being removed.
• Payment: A cheque, banker's draft, or postal order for £80, made payable to 'DVLA Swansea'.

Step-by-Step Postal Retention:

1. Obtain the V317 Form: You'll need to download the V317 'Vehicle Registration Transfer Application' form from the DVLA website. If you cannot print it, you can request a copy be posted to you via the DVLA's form ordering service.
2. Complete the V317 Form: Carefully read the guidance notes provided with the form. You will need to complete the grey section specifically for 'Option B' (retention). This involves filling in the registration number, make, model, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the vehicle. All this information can be found on your V5C document.
3. Grantee and Nominee (Again): Similar to the online process, you can specify a grantee (the legal owner of the retention certificate) or a nominee (someone who will automatically own the plate upon transfer to their vehicle). If these sections are left blank, the certificate will be issued to the current registered keeper.
4. Prepare Supporting Documentation: Ensure you have all the required documents ready. This typically includes the completed V317 form, the V5C document, and your £80 payment (cheque, banker's draft, or postal order).
5. Submit Your Application: Send the completed V317 form, V5C, and payment to the following address:
   DVLA Personalised Registrations
   Swansea
   SA99 1DS

The DVLA will process your application, and upon successful completion, you will receive your V778 retention certificate by post.

Essential Terms and Conditions for Retention

Before you can successfully retain a number plate, you must meet certain criteria. These are important to understand:

It's worth noting that for the vast majority of routine registration retentions, the DVLA does not typically inspect the vehicle. However, it's crucial to be aware of these conditions. If you are uncertain about any aspect, contacting the DVLA directly on 0300 790 6802 is advisable.

The V778: Your Proof of Ownership

The V778 retention document is the official certificate issued by the DVLA that grants you the right to use a specific registration number. It serves as proof that the mark has been removed from a vehicle and is being held on file for future assignment.

Key Features of the V778:

• Validity Period: A V778 certificate typically allows you to hold a personalised registration for up to 10 years.
• Extension: This 10-year period can usually be extended, though you should check the latest DVLA guidance on this.
• Assignment: When you acquire a new vehicle and wish to assign your retained registration to it, you can use the reference numbers provided on the V778 certificate. This process can often be completed quickly and easily through the DVLA's online services.

Transferring Your Retained Plate to Another Vehicle

Once you have your V778 certificate and a new vehicle ready, the process of assigning your retained registration is generally straightforward:

1. Gather Documents: You will need your V778 certificate and the V5C document for the new vehicle.
2. Online Assignment: The quickest way is usually to use the DVLA's online service for assigning a retained registration. You'll need the reference number from your V778.
3. Postal Assignment: Alternatively, you can use the V317 form again, this time completing the relevant sections for assigning a retained mark.

The DVLA will then update their records, and you will eventually receive a new V5C for the vehicle showing the assigned personalised registration. You will also receive new physical number plates reflecting this change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How long does it take to get a V778 certificate?
If you apply online, you'll receive electronic confirmation immediately, and the V778 certificate typically arrives by post within 2 weeks. The postal application process can take longer.

Q2: Can I sell my number plate without a car?
Yes, you can sell a number plate independently. You would use the retention process and then specify the buyer as the 'grantee' on the V778 certificate.

Q3: What happens if my V778 expires?
If your V778 expires, the registration number may be returned to the DVLA's general stock and could be assigned to another vehicle. It's essential to keep track of the expiry date and renew if necessary.

Q4: Can I put a retained plate on a brand new car?
Yes, you can assign a retained registration mark to a new vehicle. The process is the same as assigning it to a used vehicle.

Q5: What if the vehicle I'm removing the plate from is being scrapped?
This is a common scenario. As long as the vehicle meets the retention criteria (taxed or SORN, moves under its own power, etc.), you can retain the plate before the vehicle is officially scrapped.

Conclusion

Losing a cherished number plate when changing your vehicle is a preventable concern. By understanding and utilising the DVLA's registration retention service, you can safeguard your unique identifier. Whether you opt for the swift online process or the more traditional postal route, ensuring you have the correct documentation and meet the eligibility criteria are key. The V778 certificate is your passport to keeping your personalised registration, allowing you to continue displaying the mark that matters to you on your next vehicle.

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