When you’re considering purchasing a private number plate, you will need to know how to go about registering this plate and assigning it to your car.
The simplest way for New Reg customers to do this is to let us take care of the administration, as our experienced team can quickly and ably handle the process on your behalf. They can ensure that all required documentation is present and correct. If you want to know a little more about the registration process though, read on.
How to register a private number plate
Registering your private plates is a three-step process. First, you select your private number. Once you have decided upon this, you need to assign that plate to a vehicle. Thirdly, you get the physical number plates made up.
At New Reg, we can help every step of the way. We offer a huge range of private number plates for sale at very competitive prices, and can also complete the DVLA paperwork on your behalf to ensure no errors or delays in assigning it to your car, motorbike or van. Finally, we are also a DVLA-registered number plate supplier, so you can also order the plates from us, knowing that they will be fully compliant with the stringent DVLA regulations that apply. For more information on transferring your private plate.
How much is it to register a private number plate?
There isn’t actually a fee to register a private number plate. The DVLA does charge a fee for the process of changing over a plate, but this fee is payable for the removal of the plate from the donor vehicle, rather than placing the plate onto the recipient vehicle. Therefore, you do pay if you want to take a registration off, but not if you just want to put one that you’ve purchased on. This will already have been paid when the registration was taken off the previous vehicle and put up for sale.
How to re-register a car private number plate
If you want to use a private number plate that is currently in use on another vehicle, or that has previously been placed on retention, then the process is fairly simple. You will need either a V750 certificate of entitlement, a V778 retention document, or an online reference number. You will have been issued with one of these options when you either bought the plate or took it off another car.
There are certain exceptions. You cannot assign a number that starts with either ‘Q’ or ‘NIQ’, and nor can you put a private plate onto a ‘Q’ registered vehicle. It is also forbidden to use any private plate that would make the vehicle seem newer than it is.
The motorcycle, car, van or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) must also be the kind that needs an MOT or HGV test. It should have current tax or a SORN in place too. If it has been declared SORN for over five years then it has to be taxed. It should also be UK-registered and capable of moving via its own power. Finally, it should be available for DVLA inspection, which is required in some cases.
How long to register a private number plate?
How long the process takes depends on how you apply. If you apply online and an inspection is not requested, then the private number plate will be assigned right away. If you apply by post, the number should be assigned within a fortnight – assuming a DVLA inspection is not required.
Once the number plate has been assigned, you need to put new plates on your vehicle, and tell your insurer. You will get your new log book (V5C) within around four to six weeks, and you must not sell or scrap the car until this has arrived.
