Buying GuideBuying as a gift

Buying a registration as a gift? Don’t worry—we know how to keep a secret! We offer a number of services designed to help you surprise that special person but here’s a very important tip:

Once the transfer assignment is submitted to the DVLA the changed documents will go directly back to the keeper of the vehicle and that person will instantly know what’s going on. If this person is supposed to be the surprise recipient of this special gift then we advise delaying the transfer assignment until just after their special day.

The services that we can offer vary depending on whether you are buying a new previously un-issued registration mark, or a pre-owned registration mark, our website tells you which it is. To find out more about these types of registration marks, please visit the Plate Status area.

Linda, Buying as a birthday present

Plates4Less kept everything a secret until Jackie's birthday—she was really surprised and delighted!

Linda, Wakefield

New registration marks—choosing your transfer option

Do-It-Yourself Transfer Assignment

We'll send you the official government certificate bearing the new registration mark and when you are ready to complete the transfer assignment, you can either handle this yourself or let the person you are buying for take care of it. The personal registration will be held on an extendable10-year certificate. Once the registration mark is assigned to a vehicle there are no on-going fees.

For more information about this service, check out these areas:

Done-for-You Transfer Assignment—transfer immediately

If the vehicle documents are all in place then the transfer can be completed straight away and all vehicle documents will be exchanged for new ones that show the new registration mark with 2 to 3 weeks. Alternatively, if you would like the transfer completed for a special date, let us know and we will aim to complete the transfer as close to that date as possible.

For more information about this service, check out these areas

Done-for-You Transfer Assignment—transfer later

Please note that if the recipient of the surprise is also the registered keeper of the vehicle (on the V5C Vehicle Registration Document), then we advise you to delay the assignment of the mark to their vehicle until after you have told them of this gift. This is because once the assignment or transfer of the new registration mark has been completed, the updated documents will be sent directly back to them from DVLA and they will know what is going on. If you are unable to get hold of their documents without giving the surprise away, then simply choose to complete the transfer at a later date

Thank you for making my experience a stress free and easy process when purchasing my personal plate from you and transferring my own plate to my son's car. Your staff have been very friendly and helpful throughout the process and I will certainly recommend anyone to have confidence in buying their plates through yourselves.

Julie

You can find out more about opting for a later transfer in these areas:

New registration marks—our extra touches

A New Set of Number Plates

We can send these out by First Class post before the transfer assignment is completed so that you have something to give to the recipient on their special day. If you have left it until the last minute, it may still be possible to get the number plates out on time — just contact our friendly sales team to discuss your options.

Gift certificate

You could also give them a personalised Gift Certificate, complete in a presentation folder and sent to you the same day that your order is processed. We use Royal Mail's Special Delivery service—guaranteed by 1pm the next weekday (excluding bank holidays) as long as your order is processed before 2pm! See a gift certificate (opens in new window).

Plain envelopes

If required, we can send all of our mail in plain envelopes so that we can carry out the number plate transfer without that someone special finding out. There will be no mention of number plates or registration marks on the envelopes.

Please note that we do need to put our return address on all mail for safe delivery. This will simply say: VRM SWANSEA, PO Box 465, Swansea, SA1 8YN.

To find out more about these options, visit our Placing an order area.

Pre-owned registration marks—choosing your transfer option

Transfer to a registered vehicle now

If the vehicle documents are all in place then the transfer can be completed straight away and all vehicle documents will be exchanged for new ones that show the personal registration mark within 4 to 6 weeks.

For more information about this service, check out these areas:

Done-for-You Transfer Assignment—transfer later

Please note that if the recipient of the surprise is also the registered keeper of the vehicle (on the V5C Vehicle Registration Document), then we advise you to delay the assignment of the mark to their vehicle until after you have told them of this gift. This is because once the assignment or transfer of the new registration mark has been completed, the updated documents will be sent directly back to them from the DVLA and they will know what is going on. If you are unable to get hold of their documents without giving the surprise away, then simply choose to complete the transfer at a later date. This way you can give the registration as a gift and then let the recipient finish off the transfer himself or herself.

I used Plates4Less to purchase a personalised plate for my wife as a surprise for Christmas. I asked Plates4Less to handle everything for me and I couldn't be happier with the service I received. I was regularly updated via email and the service went so smooth and quick I couldn't believe it.

Rob M

You can find out more about opting for a later transfer in these areas:

Pre-owned registration marks—choosing your extras

A New Set of Number Plates

We can only send these out by First Class post upon receipt of proof of identification from the purchaser and notification from the DVLA of the successful completion of your transfer.

Gift certificate

We can also offer a personalised Gift Certificate, complete in a presentation folder, which is sent to you once the transfer has been completed. We use Royal Mail's Special Delivery service—guaranteed by 1pm the next week day (excluding bank holidays)! See a gift certificate (opens in new window).

Plain envelopes

If requested, we can send our mail in plain envelopes to help prevent that someone special finding out. There will be no mention of 'number plates' or 'registration marks' on the envelopes.

Please note that we do need to put our return address on all mail for safe delivery. This will simply say: VRM SWANSEA, PO Box 465, Swansea, SA1 8YN.

To find out more about these options, visit our Placing an order area.

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.

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.