This small booklet is produced by the DVLA to provide the public with a greater understanding of the UK personalised registration system.

This booklet gives information about the new regulations relating to getting number plates produced and the DVLA RNPS (register of number plate suppliers).

A DVLNI information leaflet detailing the legal requirements relating to the display of number plates including character heights etc

More information about the legal displaying of number plates

V55/4 and V55/5 forms are used to register vehicles in the UK, ensuring that all keeper information provided at the time of registration is genuine and correct, thus preventing the fraudulent registration of vehicles.

Documentation to confirm the registered keeper’s name and address are required. Name and address checks are made on all applications.

The purpose of the MOT Test is to ensure that cars, other light vehicles, private buses and motorcycles are checked once a year to see that they comply with key legal requirements of road safety and roadworthiness.
Vehicles registered in the mainland UK should receive their first MOT when they reach 3 years of age. Northern Irish vehicles do not require MOT's until they reach 4 years of age.

Areas to note:

1. The registration mark
2. The Vin/ Chassis number
3. The valid from date
4. The expiry date
5. The MOT tester

Please see http://www.vosa.gov.uk for more official information.

If you wish to keep or use a vehicle on a public road, It is essential that you display a Tax disc to prove that your have either paid or are exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). The tax is collected by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DLVA) on a six monthly or annual basis, for current charges please see V149 (rates of excise duty form).

Areas to note:

1. Serial number
2. Expiry date
3. Registration mark

The purpose of a V5 C UK Vehicle Registration Certificate is to register a keeper to an identifiable vehicle, the registered keeper of a vehicle does not have to be the person who owns the vehicle, but the person nominated for the responsibility of that vehicle i.e. The person liable for taxing it or the person who would be contacted by the police or other agencies regarding motoring or parking offences.

Areas to Note:

S1. Registered keeper: This section details the Name and address of the person/ entity who is liable for the vehicle. The first line of the registered keeper?s details is required as the ?nominee?s? details when a personalised registration mark is assigned.

S2. Previous keeper of the vehicle

S3. Special notes: This area contains important information. You will not be able to transfer the registration mark off the vehicle if the following statement is printed in this area ?non-transferable registration mark?. You may still, assign a registration mark to the vehicle.

S4.Vehicle details: A. The current Registration mark A.1 The validation Character, (you will be asked for this when assigning a new registration mark to your vehicle.) E. The VIN number (AKA Chassis number).

S6.Registered Keeper: Fill in this section to change any details held about the keeper, including changing any wrong information, changing address or ownership.

S8. This area must be signed by the registered keeper (and the new keeper if applicable) when notifying the DVLA of any changes.

S9. This area must be filled in when the vehicle is transferred or sold to the motor trade, an insurance company or a dismantler.

This area is also known as the ?new keepers supplement?. You should tear off and retain this section whenever any other section of the document is sent into the DVLA for alteration. In the event of changing the registered keeper of the vehicle, the new keeper should be given this section as their proof until their new V5 arrives.

Please note: If you are submitting your documents to transfer a registration mark, it is essential that this section is also sent in with the rest of the V5.

This form is used when applying for a tax disc.
You will also need to present the following documents when applying for road tax:

• Your V5C (registration document AKA log book)

• A valid certificate of motor insurance

• Your MOT certificate

The fee necessary to purchase road tax depends on the vehicle, you can find out the rate by looking at form V149. Rates of Vehicle Excise Duty.

This is a reminder form which is sent to the registered keeper of a vehicle before the present road tax is due to expire. The form allows the keeper to either purchase new tax or declare that the vehicle is off road (thus avoiding tax). The V11 can only be used at the post office and should not be mailed direct to DVLA.

If registered keepers of vehicles that are unused on public roads wish to avoid paying vehicle excise duty (road tax), they must fill out a V890 form.

This form can be used to obtain a replacement tax disc when the original has been damaged, lost or stolen

The V62 is an application form for a new V5C registration document (log book). The V62 is used in cases where the original has been lost, damaged or not received. The V62 form can be used in conjunction with the V5C/2 (new keepers supplement) to apply for a registration transfer or assignment when the new V5C hasn?t yet been produced. Unless you have never received a V5C, using a V62 form to obtain a new V5C will cost £19.00

This document details the price list for taxing UK vehicles for either 6 month or 12 month periods.

This form, accompanied with the correct documents for each vehicle along with a cheque for £80 will allow your registration mark to be transferred from one vehicle to another.
You will need to either take or send your transfer to your local DVLA office.

There are limitations:

1. Only MOT testable vehicles can undertake in the scheme, i.e. not tractors or agricultural vehicles.

2. You cannot transfer are registration mark to a vehicle which makes it appear younger than its date of first registration. I.e. If a vehicle is first registered in October 1994, the latest issued registration mark it can bear is a prefix M registration.

3. Some vehicles have registration marks which are "NON-TRANSFERABLE". If this is the case, it will be printed in section 3 of the V5C. Although you cannot transfer the registrations off these vehicles, you can put new ones on.

Click here to view the procedure for transferring a registration mark

This form is very similar to the V317 form (above) and has the same application. However, There are some differences;

As Northern Irish registration marks have no age identifier, they can be transferred freely between vehicles of any age.

Northern Irish vehicles only require MOT certificate(s) if there has been more than 4 years since first registration.

Click here to view the procedure for transferring a NI registration mark.

This certificate is used to retain the rights to a registration mark which has never been assigned to a vehicle. The certificates expire every twelve months, but the entitlement period can be extended upon payment of a government fee (currently £25).

This certificate is used to retain the rights to a registration mark which has never been assigned to a vehicle. The certificates expire every twelve months, but the entitlement period can be extended upon payment of a government fee (currently £25). Please note that registrations held on GB V750 certificates cannot be assigned directly to vehicles registered in Northern Ireland. The registration mark will need to be assigned to a UK vehicle first.

Areas to note:

1. Address of original purchaser.
2. Registration Number.
3. Expiry date
4. Nominee name: the registration can only be assigned to a vehicle registered in this name.
5. Add/ Change nominee: the purchaser of the registration can apply to add or change the name of the Nominee.
6. Extension of entitlement period: the purchaser of the registration can apply for 12 month extension to the Certificate.
7. The registration of the vehicle that the registration is to be transferred to
8. The 'Validation Character' can be found next to the registration number on the vehicles log book (V5C)
9. The Expiry Date of the current vehicle?s TAX DISC.
10. Purchaser?s signature to authorise assignment.

To assign the registration mark to a vehicle, You will need to either take or send your application to your local DVLA office.

Click here to view the procedure for assigning a personalised registration mark.

This certificate is used to retain the rights to a Northern Irish registration mark which has never been assigned to a vehicle. The certificates expire every twelve months, but the entitlement period can be extended upon payment of a government fee (currently £25). Please note that registrations held on a V750NI certificates cannot be assigned directly to vehicles registered with the DVLA. The registration mark will need to be assigned to a Northern Irish registered vehicle first.

Areas to note:

1. Address of original purchaser.
2. Registration Number.
3. Expiry date
4. Nominee name; the registration can only be assigned to a vehicle registered in this name.
5. Add/ Change nominee; The purchaser of the registration can apply to add or change the name of the Nominee.
6. Extension of entitlement period; the purchaser of the registration can apply for 12 month extension to the Certificate.
7. The registration of the vehicle that the registration is to be transferred to
8. The 'Validation Character' can be found next to the registration number on the vehicles log book (V5)
9. The Expiry Date of the current vehicle?s TAX DISC.
10. Purchaser?s signature to authorise assignment.

To assign the registration mark to a vehicle, You will need to either take or send your application to your Coleraine DVLA office.

Click here to view the procedure for assigning a NI private registration mark.

This is a scheme with the intention of reuniting historical vehicles with their original registration marks. Many older vehicles were not recorded on the DVLA register when centralised registration was introduced in 1974. However if you are the owner of such a vehicle and know what the original registration was, it may be possible to have it reassigned. These applications are firstly considered by a vehicle enthusiasts club (a list of these clubs are available on a V765/1 form).

To apply a V765 and a V55/5 form need to be completed and a recent photograph of a pre 1983 tax disc or MOT linking it to the original mark is required.

This is an application form to retain a vehicle registration number on a certificate, this costs £105. The retention scheme enables the keeper of a vehicle to hold its registration on a certificate for a period of up to 12 months. If when this period is due to expire, the "grantee" of the certificate can extend the period of retention for a further 12 month period at a cost of £25.00. If the period is left to expire without assignment or renewal, entitlement to the registration will be lost.

To retain the registration mark, You will need to either take or send your application form to your local DVLA office. Your vehicle will be assigned with a non transferable age related registration mark.

Click here to view the procedure for retaining a private registration mark.

The V778 retention certificate is a means for holding the rights to a registration mark. The registration mark will have been assigned to a UK mainland vehicle at some point and has been 'transferred' off that vehicle to be 'stored' for a period of 12 months. This period can be extended by the 'Grantee' upon application and payment of a fee (currently £25.00 per annum).

Please note that registrations held on GB V778 certificates cannot be assigned directly to vehicles registered in Northern Ireland. The registration mark will need to be assigned to a UK vehicle first.

Areas to note:

1. Address of Grantee (the details of the keeper who's vehicle the registration used to be Registration Number).
2. Expiry date Nominee name; the registration can only bee assigned to a vehicle registered in this name.
3. Add/ Change nominee; The grantee of the registration can apply to add or change the name of the Nominee.
4. Extension of entitlement period; the grantee of the registration can apply for 12 month extension to the Certificate.
5. The registration of the vehicle that the registration is to be transferred to
6. The 'Validation Character' can be found next to the registration number on the vehicles log book (V5)
7. The Expiry Date of the current vehicle?s TAX DISC.
8. Grantee?s signature to authorise assignment.

To assign the registration mark to a vehicle, You will need to either take or send your application to your local DVLA office.

Click here to view the procedure for assigning a personalised registration mark.

This document is an authorisation certificate that proves entitlement to a specific registration mark. This certificate therefore entitles the holder to purchase number plates in the registration mark. Suppliers of the number plates will require you to provide both this and photo identification before the plates can be produced.