FAQ

Yes. The DVLA based here in Swansea has now become the overarching body for all vehicle licensing in the UK, including Northern Ireland. The transfer process for customers in Northern Ireland is now exactly the same as that for customers on the mainland — quicker, simpler and £180 cheaper than in the past! So, if your vehicle is registered in Northern Ireland you can proceed to purchase any GB private number plate (that is suitable for your vehicle’s age) at no extra cost!

Yes. The DVLA based here in Swansea has now become the overarching body for all vehicle licensing in the UK, including Northern Ireland. This means you can easily transfer a Northern Ireland format private numberplate to your UK vehicle. Northern Ireland format registrations don’t carry age identifiers either, so they’re suitable for vehicles of any age.

Combinations of vehicle registrations containing the word 'MAN' are only available in the Isle of Man and cannot be transferred to UK or NI registered vehicles. Similarly, private numberplates bearing a three letter sequence ending MN are restricted to Isle of Man vehicles (though a three letter combination beginning MN is allowed in the UK). Although the Isle of Man is part of the British Isles, it effectively has its own Government and vehicle registration system, therefore Isle of Man registrations cannot be transferred to vehicles registered at DVLA Swansea.

Unfortunately not. Jersey registrations, consisting of the letter 'J' followed by one to six digits, or 'JSY' followed by one to three digits, can only be used in Jersey. Guernsey registrations, featuring up to 5 numbers without any letters at all, can only be used on vehicles registered in Guernsey.

Unfortunately the answer is no. Vehicles are given a "Q" registration mark by the DVLA when the origin or vehicle age is uncertain. "Q" numbers are therefore non-transferable and must remain with the vehicle unless documentary evidence, which confirms the vehicle’s origin or age, comes to the attention of the DVLA. If you are in possession of such documentary evidence then you should contact the DVLA, who may then assign a replacement age-related registration number plate to the vehicle. If the DVLA authorise such a change and your vehicle is assigned a standard registration mark, then your vehicle may take part in the transfer and retention processes, although the registration mark replacing your Q plate will be non-transferrable.

Only the DVLA holds records regarding the vehicle and Keeper history associated with particular registrations. Due to the Data Protection Act they are unable to disclose many details, especially details concerning previous or current Registered Keepers. For more information you can contact DVLA enquiries on 0300 790 6802. Alternatively, contact us on 01792 477316 and we will be happy to assist you with finding an alternative.

The majority of registration marks carry an ‘age identifier’ which relates to the date when the mark was released. Our government is keen to prevent fraudsters attempting to make vehicles look newer than they actually are. To prevent this from happening, the DVLA does not permit newer registration marks to be transferred to older vehicles. However, it does permit older marks to be transferred to newer vehicles without hindrance.

Please note that some registration marks do not carry an 'age identifier' within their sequence (please see below for examples). This is true of mainland UK registrations released before 1963 and all Northern Ireland format registration marks. These two types of registration mark can be transferred to any age vehicle. All other types of registration marks carry 'age identifiers' and so if you choose one of these it's always best to check if it can be legally transferred to your chosen vehicle before you buy it.

Examples of registration types and age identifiers:

Mainland UK dateless number plates (issued between 1903 and 1963)

No age identifier

• Examples:

  A 1A 123ABC 1231 A123 A123 ABC

Northern Ireland number plates (from 1903)

No age identifier

• Examples:

  1 AZAZ 1AZ 1234ABZ 1GIL 123GAZ 1234BIG 1234JUI 135  

  Suffix number plates (Issued between 1963 and 1983)

  Age identifier is the last letter (suffix).

• Examples:

  ABC 1DABC 123FWOO 13YANN 4SPAU 10SHEL 3N  

  Prefix number plates (issued between 1983 and 2001)

  Age identifier is the first letter (prefix).

• Examples:

  A1 ABCA123 ABCS5 UESA117 ONYP4 ULST4 MMYK155 ESSB16 CARS4 UCYK1 NGS

Current style/new style number plates (from 2001)

Age identifier is the number group.

• Examples:

  CU06 SDECU56 SDEHP02 HELRU55 ELLAS02 ZZZ

Unfortunately the answer is no. In some countries, such as the USA, your private numberplate can be anything at all (so long as it’s not offensive!). In the UK, however, you cannot simply make up private number plates. This is why there is such a high demand for good private numbers and why many are so valuable.

All registration numbers are formatted in a specific way, as per the Government guidelines.  There are different style marks, such as prefix, suffix, dateless and current style; and you can sometimes choose specific letter/number combinations to find a suitable private number plate. Why not contact us and let us do the search for you? We can send you a list of suggested registrations to suit your criteria.

As you browse through our registrations, you will notice that they are listed with different descriptions such as ‘AVAILABLE NOW or 'CHECK IT NOW'.

CHECK IT NOW registrations are privately owned and we are acting for the seller as their agent. If you enquire into one of these private numberplates, we will contact the seller to confirm availability and other details, before proceeding.

NEW – AVAILABLE NOW:  You will be the first person to own the exclusive rights to use these registration marks. You can offer to purchase these over the phone or online immediately, with a choice of transfer options.

PRE-OWNED – AVAILABLE NOW:  These registrations are already in private ownership but are available to buy straight away over the phone or online. Some are held on certificates and some are being used on vehicles, so transfer options will vary.

NEW RELEASE – HOW TO BUY:  These registration marks are new-series government releases, which occur twice each year. They have never existed before and will be released as part of the next registration mark sequence.

In order to have a private number plate assigned to your vehicle, the vehicle must be: An appropriate age to receive the private number plate. (See ‘Why do I need to check the age of my vehicle?’ above.) Registered, or due to be registered, in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, in your name or in the name of the Nominee. The Nominee name must match the present registered Keeper of the vehicle, which can be you, someone else or a firm such as a leasing company. Taxed, due to be taxed, or have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) in place at the time of the transfer assignment application. Please note that your vehicle will need to be taxed if it’s had a SORN in place for longer than 5 years. A type that has, or will have, an MOT or Goods Vehicle Test (GVT) certificate. Not registered in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or carry a Q registration plate.

Only MOT testable vehicles can take part in the scheme e.g. not tractors, road repairing machines or agricultural vehicles.

If the private numberplate you’re purchasing is a previously unissued one (i.e., you’ll be the first owner), then transfers can be completed whenever you’re ready; the registration can be held on a certificate indefinitely (though after ten years you will need to renew your certificate, which may incur an additional cost).

With a pre-owned registration the process is slightly different and some delayed transfers may incur an additional cost. Click here to see our ‘Purchase Options Explained’ or read the information displayed when you view the private number plate for more information.

It is a legal requirement that we see some proof of identification from the purchaser (i.e. the person who places the order, even if it is for someone else) prior to the release of the number plates.

Acceptable proof of identification includes: Driving licence Passport National identity card Bank or building society debit or credit card statement (not online) Utility bill (water, gas, or electricity) (not online), dated within the last 6 months Council tax bill Landline telephone bill Police warrant card Armed forces identity card

You will receive a postage-paid return envelope in your confirmation letter. We accept clear photocopies or even emailed images of the identification. Any original ID sent to us will be returned to you once we have recorded that we have seen it and no personal financial details will be recorded or retained. As soon as we receive one of these documents, we can arrange for your plates to be dispatched by Royal Mail.

We have recently been notified that there are a few rogue Scam-Sites which offer fake discount codes for use on some of the UK’s most popular websites. The scammers do this to attract large volumes of traffic to their website and then sell advertising space. (Please do be careful if you have experienced this as Scam-Sites are known to pass spyware and viruses on to their visitors.)

While we cannot offer you a discount code, we do check the prices of our personalised number plates on a daily basis to ensure that we are extremely competitive. Prices do vary, and sometimes there can be an opportunity to negotiate a lower price with the seller. Please contact us about the personalised number plate you are interested in and we will look into any available options.

Yes, you can buy over the telephone with an advisor at no extra cost. The only exception is if you intend to use finance as a payment method; all finance applications need to be made online, although a telephone advisor will be happy to offer guidance.

Our payment options make our personalised number plates affordable and easy to buy. We offer the fullest possible range of payment options, from cheques to bank transfers to debit and credits cards and individual finance packages. We have something to suit every buyer, helping you afford that perfect personalised numberplate.

At the point of placing your order you will have agreed to our terms and conditions of sale, therefore waiving your right to a cancellation or cooling off period.

If the personalised numberplate you have purchased is pre-owned, you will not be able to cancel under any circumstances.

If you have purchased a previously unissued personalised number plate (i.e. you are the first owner), you can apply to cancel your purchase within 10 days of the initial order date. Ultimately, the DVLA will decide the outcome of your application to cancel and we cannot guarantee that it will be successful.   Once 10 days have passed, the DVLA will not consider applications to cancel and if you have changed your mind then your only remedy will be to offer the personalized numberplate for sale (though you can claim back the government transfer fee). Similarly, if the personalised number plate has already been assigned to a vehicle then the DVLA will not consider cancellation applications.   Initial applications must be received in writing, either by post to our normal address or by email to cancellations@plates4less.co.uk. We will then send you the necessary documentation, which you will need to return within 10 days of the initial order date.   Please note: Only the Purchaser can apply for a cancellation; we cannot correspond with the Nominee unless they are one and the same person.

If you are unable to cancel, you can always sell the personalised number plate. We have a free seller’s service on our website.

It depends on the circumstances regarding the loss of the registration mark:

If your vehicle was stolen and not recovered, you may be able to get your private registration back via the DVLA, but only if the vehicle was taxed, held a valid MOT test and you reported the theft to the police. The DVLA will need to hold a record of the theft for 12 months, but for no longer than 3 years. You can contact the DVLA directly on 0300 790 6802 for more information. You cannot get your private registration back if you sold the vehicle to your insurance company as a ‘write off’, unless you stipulated that the sale did not include the registration mark. You may already have acknowledgement of this (see the advice in ‘Do I need to inform my insurers that I have a new registration mark?’ above). If the vehicle was scrapped then the private registration is lost, similar to as if you had sold it to your insurance company as a ‘write off’ (see above). If you sold your vehicle privately, with the private registration still assigned to the vehicle, then it’s possible the registration may become available again in the future should the current owner decide to sell it. Only the DVLA hold records on the vehicle and Keeper history and due to the Data Protection Act they are unable to disclose many details, especially details concerning the previous or current Keepers. You can contact DVLA enquiries on 0300 790 6802.

In the examples noted above, with the exception of loss via theft, it’s possible to keep your private registration if you transfer it to another vehicle or certificate first. To do this, simply complete a V317, available to download from the DVLA's website and from some post offices and send this with the required fee of £80 payable to DVLA. You can do this online using the DVLA’s online system.