Use GuideLater transfers

If you have found a registration that you would like to purchase but you aren’t ready to transfer it straight away, we can help you to arrange a later transfer. You can still place an order for the registration even if you don’t have a vehicle yet. It will be removed from general sale for you immediately so that no one else can buy it.

New registration marks

Initially, the registration mark will be held on an official government certificate valid for 10 years. If you haven't assigned your new registration mark to a vehicle within that time, you can renew the registration mark for a further 10 years.

If you have opted for the Done-For-You Transfer service, we will start processing your transfer as soon as we receive your vehicle documents. Alternatively, if you would like your transfer completed for a specific date such as a birthday or anniversary, simply let us know and we will do our best to accommodate.

To read more about our gift options, take a look at our Buying as a gift area.

Pre-owned registration marks

As these registration marks are owned by a third party, the most secure way to take possession of them is to transfer them to a vehicle straight away. If you don’t have a vehicle or would like to delay the transfer, this is possible but there are different processes involved which are dependent on whether the registration mark is held on a government certificate or assigned to a vehicle.

If the registration mark is currently assigned to a vehicle, we can retain it for you so it will be held on a government certificate for 10 years. You can renew the certificate every 10 years until you are ready to use it and once it has been assigned to a vehicle, there are no on-going costs.

If the registration mark is already held on a certificate, the process is different. The DVLA retention scheme prevents the change of ownership of government holding certificates (V750 Certificates of Entitlement or V778 Certificates of Retention). In order to transfer the rights to a registration mark, we will need to assign it to a vehicle and then re-retain it onto a Government certificate in your details (as the new owner).

We can offer a donor vehicle service for this purpose or, alternatively, you can choose to have the registration mark assigned to the vehicle of a friend or relative and then retain it again in your details. If would like us to offer a donor vehicle service for the transfer of rights, please see the additional price breakdown below:

Price breakdown for this service
Donor vehicle£83.33
Administration fee£22.92
VAT£21.25
Standard Government Retention Fee£80.00

The registration mark will then be held on a government certificate that is valid for 10 years and can be renewed after this period. You can keep renewing until you are ready to use it, keeping a private number plate on a certificate until your son or daughter is old enough to drive. What a fabulous idea for a seventeenth birthday present!

For more information, please visit the following areas:

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you are purchasing for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, you are able to secure this private number plate today and transfer it to a vehicle of your choice when you are ready.

We have two transfer options available for you to choose between. You’ll see them when you enter the checkout by clicking “Buy It Now” or you can preview them by clicking “Learn More About My Order Options”.

If you select the 'Do-It-Yourself' transfer service, the Government Certificate and full instructions will be sent by post to you, normally within 5-10 days. You will need to liaise with the DVLA to complete the transfer.

Alternatively, if you select the 'Done-For-You' transfer option, we will liaise with the DVLA to transfer your private number plate to the vehicle when you are ready, saving you the time and hassle. All you will need to do is submit the V5C Registration Certificate details to us, either digitally (using our online portal) or by sending us the document in the pre-paid envelope we will provide. We will email you as soon as the number plates can be displayed on the vehicle.

Please note- While 70-90% of transfer applications can be processed digitally, if you opt for our DFY service and your application does not go through digitally, we will personally hand deliver your documents to the DVLA here in Swansea to by-pass their postal sorting office to ensure a quick and secure transfer process.

Yes, low rate finance is available for this registration. We offer finance with 0% deposit and it will not delay your transfer.

Simply select 'Pay By Finance' during the checkout or you can view the finance illustration by clicking the 'Learn More About My Order Options' button on the Purchase Options page.

Registration marks make perfect gifts and we offer a number of services designed to help you surprise that special person.

Place your order in the details of the person who is paying for the registration mark and give us the lucky recipient's name later in the checkout stage.

The keeper of the vehicle will become the owner of the plate once the transfer is complete. All correspondence from ourselves will be sent in plain packaging. Number plates and presentation certificates can be easily wrapped to give as a gift on the special day!

If you are buying for Christmas read our Christmas Buying Guide

We have two transfer options available for you to choose between. You’ll see them when you enter the checkout by clicking “Buy It Now” or you can preview them by clicking “Learn More About My Order Options”.

Confident? Then choose the DIY option and we'll send you your 10 year V750 Certificate of Entitlement with self-assignment instructions to complete the transfer whenever you're ready.

No-hassle quiet-lifer? Choose DFY and you can relax with peace of mind that your transfer will be taken care of by our experts, whenever you're ready! We can also liaise with your vehicle dealers and assist with moving your other registrations, if required.

If you have a Lease or Motability vehicle, choose the Do It Yourself option.

If you have a Leased or Motability vehicle, select the Do It Yourself (DIY) transfer option. In most cases the company you are getting the vehicle from will require the V750 Certificate of Entitlement to include their name on it in order to complete the transfer. If you have this information you can add this during checkout or you can provide it at a later date.

Yes! Previously unissued registration marks are valid for 10 years while on a certificate so you can buy now and transfer whenever you are ready in the future. Regardless of which transfer option you choose, you can still opt to delay the transfer.

Yes, we are DVLA Registered Number Plate Suppliers (#3166) and only supply the best quality, road legal number plates. We offer standard flat and “4D Standout” style plates as well as a range of flags and shapes to suit your vehicle.

By purchasing your number plates through us you will only need to supply us with proof of identification since we will already have your proof of entitlement (you will need to supply this to any other number plate seller).

You can include replacement number plates on your order, just enter our checkout by selecting “Buy It Now” or you can preview the plates and available options by clicking “Learn More About My Order Options”.

Please beware that many online sellers of replacement number plates are not registered with DVLA and supply illegal number plates. By placing an order with one of these sellers, your personal & vehicle information may be at risk.

Whenever possible, we negotiate a great deal for our customers. Our Previously Unissued registration marks are already at Rock Bottom Prices offering fantastic value with our industry - leading service.

Understanding that price is a big factor in the decision-making process, we remain very price-conscious, checking daily to ensure that you get more, at the lowest possible price. Super-fussy and ruthlessly efficient, we are always cutting costs and raising quality, to give you the best possible value, in the whole marketplace!

'You cannot make a vehicle look newer than it actually is' This is THE most important rule regarding personalised registrations! Most registration marks have a coded 'age identifier' letter or number, which dictates whether or not they can legally go onto your vehicle. Use our age- check tool by selecting the date your vehicle was first registered (shown on your V5) from a drop-down menu, and registrations which are suitable will be shown by way of a green tick or a red cross

Pay with VISA, Mastercard, bank transfer or cheque. Spread your payments with finance. Finance doesn't delay the arrival of your new registration mark and number plates, only the payments.

We don't offer an exchange or part-exchange service. However, we do offer a free sellers' service if you no longer wish to keep your cherished registration mark. We currently have a list of buyers waiting on registration numbers, if your registration meets one of our buyers criteria or there is interest in your registration, we will contact you. For more information on selling through us, please click here.

Do you really like this registration? Great news! You can secure this registration now and delay transferring to a vehicle until you're ready. There's only one of each registration available.

There's no need to retain your existing registration mark before you transfer your new personalised number plate onto your vehicle. When your new private plate has been transferred onto your vehicle, the DVLA will keep the existing (usually age related) registration number to one side until you are ready to take your personalised number plate off your vehicle in the future. At that point, the previous registration number will be placed back onto your vehicle.

However, if you currently have a private plate on your vehicle, you will need to retain this off your vehicle before completing the transfer if you wish to use it on another vehicle in the duration that it bears another registration mark.

Private number plates are good for advertising, and they can disguise the age of your vehicle(s). They’re distinctive, memorable, and when chosen wisely can make good investments.

We will send you a VAT invoice/receipt for your purchase. In some legitimate circumstances, business related number plates can be a company asset that's a tax deductible expense. If you are unsure, please discuss your plan with your accountant.

Check out our Plates4Business Hub here for more information.

If you have a question that we have not answered, please click here to request a callback (opens in new window) or call us on 01792 477316.