How do move my private reg off my vehicle and safely onto a government certificate?

If you sign your V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate/Logbook) over to someone else while your personal registration mark is still assigned, that person or entity will take control of the registration mark, including car dealers.

If you wish to keep the registration mark, you should always retain it before:

• Selling/ part exchanging/ gifting vehicle
• Scrapping
• Taking the vehicle off the road for a prolonged time - you can do this by declaring your vehicle as SORN. You can do this by visiting the DVLA website.
• Your Vehicle Is Written Off

Important: If your vehicle is stolen, written off, or involved in an insurance claim where your insurer is paying out, you should retain the registration before they finalise the write-off process.

Should the insurer kindly decide they have no interest in your registration after the vehicle is written off, the DVLA may allow retrieval of the registration mark, but it’s not guaranteed, and there is a lengthy 12-month waiting period.

What is a V778 Certificate of Retention?

A V778 Certificate of Retention is an official DVLA-issued document that proves your entitlement to a private registration mark that is not currently assigned to a vehicle. This certificate allows the holder to retain/ hold ownership of the VRM and reassign it to a vehicle when needed with the assignment fee already prepaid.

The V778 contains essential details, including:

• The registration mark
• The certificate number (required for assignments)
• A validation character and serial number
• The expiry date (it must be renewed before this date to retain ownership)
• The name of the person or business holding the rights (Grantee/ Purchaser)
• A nominee name. This does not indicate ownership of the registration. Ownership remains with the Grantee (the purchaser). If assigning the registration to a brand-new vehicle, the registered keeper must be either the Grantee or the Nominee.
• Proof that the assignment fee has been paid
• Read on to find out how to apply for a V778 document, and remember that the V778 along with your V5C is the only requirement for assigning a registration mark to a vehicle. Ensure you keep it safe and valid.

How to retain a registration mark (how to obtain a V778)

Always apply for Retention Before Selling or Scrapping the vehicle

• Apply online via the DVLA’s website or complete a V317 form (Application to Keep a Vehicle Registration Number) .
• You’ll need the V5C logbook, and the vehicle must be taxed or declared SORN. If you want to retain the registration to someone other than the registered keeper's details, then you must use the V317 postal application process and submit the latest V5C with the application (for security reasons).

Pay the Retention Fee

• A £80 fee is required to move the private plate onto a Retention Certificate (V778). Pay by card if online, or by cheque or postal order made payable to the ‘DVLA Swansea’ if applying by post.

  Tip - If you decide to post your documents to the DVLA, ensure you use a reliable signed-for method.

• This fee is payable each time you retain your registration and covers the cost to assign it to a vehicle.
• You may recover this fee if you no longer want to hold the registration mark and apply to DVLA before the expiry of the certificate.

Wait for Confirmation from the DVLA

• If applying online, confirmation is usually instant.
• If applying by post, confirmation may take up to 6 weeks.

Receive Your New Documents

• The DVLA will issue a V778 Retention Certificate, allowing you to assign the registration to another vehicle in the future.
• Your vehicle will be reassigned the original or an age-related registration mark. You’ll get a new V5 certificate for the vehicle, which is essential if you want to sell, trade or scrap the vehicle.

You can use the following links to find more detailed information about the DVLA processes and regulations for retaining or transferring a private registration:

• Plates4Less - DVLA Processes and Regulations: This guide explains the DVLA's processes and regulations around private plates, including how to transfer or retain a number plate and what steps to take if you want to keep your registration number.
• Gov.uk - Take a Private Number Off a Vehicle: This official page from the DVLA provides step-by-step instructions on how to remove a private registration from a vehicle, including how to retain it or transfer it to another vehicle.

These resources offer all the information you need to manage your private registration with the DVLA.