Frequently Asked Questions

No. When you purchase a personalised plate through FindPlates, it can be issued on a DVLA retention certificate (V778) rather than assigned to a vehicle immediately. The certificate is valid for 10 years, giving you plenty of time to decide which vehicle to put it on.

Transferring directly onto your vehicle:

• Original V5C (log book) for the receiving vehicle
• Valid MOT certificate (if applicable)
• Current road tax

Holding on a retention certificate:
No vehicle documents are needed at the point of purchase. You will need the above when you're ready to assign the plate to a vehicle later.

• 'Q' registered vehicles cannot receive a personalised plate.
• Vehicles that do not require an MOT (such as certain tractors and agricultural machinery) are generally not eligible.
• You cannot use a plate that would make your vehicle appear newer than it actually is.

DVLA rules prevent a plate from making a vehicle look younger than it is. For example, a plate issued in 2015 cannot be displayed on a vehicle that was first registered before 2015. Dateless plates (those with no year identifier) are not subject to this restriction and can be placed on any vehicle.

The DVLA charges £80 to transfer a registration, whether that's onto a vehicle or onto a retention certificate. This fee is already included within the plate price you see on FindPlates. There are no hidden extras on top.

VAT is charged on plates sold by VAT-registered dealers or directly issued by the DVLA. Plates sold on behalf of private individuals who are not VAT registered are not subject to VAT.

FindPlates is not VAT registered. The price you see is the price you pay with no VAT added on top.

You have two choices:

• Retain it: Pay the DVLA £80 to hold your existing number on a retention certificate, so you can assign it to another vehicle in the future.
• Let it go: If you don't retain it, the number is lost once your updated V5C arrives showing the new registration. You'll need to remove the old plates and display the new ones.

Online transfers can often be completed the same day that payment clears and correct documents are received. Postal transfers typically take 10 to 15 working days. We will guide you through whichever route applies to your plate.

It can be. If your MOT or tax expires and renews while the DVLA is processing the transfer, the transfer may fail. We recommend renewing both before submitting your documents if you have fewer than 4 weeks remaining on either.

Yes. Motorcycles and mopeds can participate in the DVLA registration transfer scheme on the same basis as cars, subject to the usual age eligibility rules.

No. The Isle of Man operates its own separate vehicle registration system. IoM registrations cannot be transferred onto vehicles registered in Great Britain.

Yes, but you must act before your insurer takes legal ownership of the vehicle. Once the insurer owns it, the right to the registration passes to them. Transfer the plate to another vehicle or onto a retention certificate as soon as possible after a write-off.

Unfortunately not. Once a vehicle has been scrapped, the registration is cancelled and cannot be recovered. You are also legally required to notify the DVLA and return the V5C when a vehicle is scrapped.

Yes. A non-transferable registration on your current V5C means you cannot sell or move that specific number. It does not prevent you from assigning a new personalised plate to your vehicle, as long as the vehicle is eligible and meets the age requirements.

Generally no. Registrations cannot be transferred from vehicles that are exempt from requiring an MOT, such as tractors, steam rollers, and certain specialist vehicles.

Yes. Northern Ireland registrations are fully transferable onto vehicles registered in Great Britain and are popular for their dateless format. They carry no year identifier, so they can be placed on any age of vehicle.